by Stephanie Morton

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - It was a warm Wednesday evening at the Celebration. The sound of Johnny Cash bluegrass songs welcomed fans to their seats as the picture perfect sunset faded over the east grandstands. The evening’s performances ranged from the elegant Fine Harness to Young Trainers, 35 Years & Under. Presiding over the evening’s performances again were Judges Bingham, Bonner, Landrum, Sisk and Sorrell. Serving as the evening’s announcer was Mark Farrar Jr. Tickling the ivories in center ring was the famous Larry Bright. Giving the evenings invocation was Rev. David Adams of Bell Buckle, Tenn. Offering a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem was Katy Pete of Nashville, Tenn.

Gracing the ring with elegance and class was the all-time favorite Fine Harness division. Five talented entries answered the gate call. Judge Bonner served as the call judge for this beautiful class. Taking the first unanimous world championship title of the evening was Lined Royal Cash and Bobby Hugh for CCJK Enterprises of Shelbyville, Tenn. This graceful horse also claimed world championship honors earlier this week in the Owner-Amateur Gentlemen’s Fine Harness class with Dr. Jack Kwok. Reserve honors went to I’m Ritz And Dangerous and Rollie Beard for PC Partners LLC of Panama City Beach, Fla. This talented horse claimed top honors earlier this season at the Wartrace show. Taking the third place award was In Ted’s Image and Bill Callaway for Ron Lawrence.

Making their way into the big oval next was the Owner-Amateur Riders on Three-Year-Old Walking Mares or Geldings Division A. Ten talented, young entries filled the ring all in hopes of claiming top honors. Judge Landrum served as the call judge. Top honors went to the talented pair of Color Coded and Eric Lackey for Eric and Diane Lackey of Thomasville, N.C. This impressive young mare also claimed a reserve world championship title earlier in the week in the B division of the Three-Year-Old Mares with Casey Wright. Reserve honors went to Oh My Stars and owner John Callicutt of Seagrove, N.C. Rounding out the top three was I’m A Mastermind and Amanda Wright for Dr. George Wright.

Thirteen impressive entries answered the gate call for the B division of the Owner-Amateur Riders on Three-Year-Old Walking Mares or Geldings. Judge Sisk served as the call judge in this competitive class of young horses. While the judges finalized their scorecards, Larry Bright filled the air with the beautiful melody of, “Memories.” Taking home top the  unanimous honors and the “memories” was the pair of Be My Baby and owner Robert Deutsch of Greensboro, N.C. This talented young mare also claimed the unanimous title, honor and bragging rights in a highly competitive class of Three-Year-Old Mares earlier in the week with Tyler Baucom. Reserve honors went to Steele Grey and Josh Wright for Tina Wright of Reagan, Tenn. Steele Grey added this title to their previous reserve world championship title earlier in the week in the A division of the Three-Year-Old Mares with Michael Wright. The third place award went to O’Lainey and owner Trish Spivey.

Up next were the Walking Geldings, Five-Years & Over Canter class. Eight top entries answered the gate call for Call Judge Sorrell and his cohort. Riding to the winner’s circle was Forty Niner and Bobby Hugh for Rose Anstett of Wartrace, Tenn. This talented pair has claimed top honors at the Cornersville Lions Club show earlier this season. Reserve honors went to PGA and John Allan Callaway for Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tenn. This dynamic duo claimed top honors at the Mississippi Charity show earlier this year. Rounding out the top three was Los Lobos and Larry Edwards for Joe Barnes.

Entering the ring next were four entries in the Experienced Trainers, 36 Years & Older, on Walking Horses class. Judge Bingham served as the call judge. Claiming the unanimous title and bragging rights was the dynamic duo of Nino’s Category Five and John Allan Callaway for Dr. Barbara Moersch of Jacksonville, Ala. This talented team claimed top honors earlier this season at the Gulf Coast Charity Celebration. Reserve honors went to Masati and Herbert Derickson for Vickie Ricker of Greeneville, Tenn. Masati claimed the reserve honor at the Fayetteville Blue Ribbon show earlier this season with trainer Herbert Derickson. Claiming the third place honor was The Coach’s Son and Charlie Green for Don and Sharon.

Six top entries answered the gate call for the Amateur Owned & Trained Walking Horses class. Judge Bonner served as the call judge. The crowd quickly picked their favorite team and cheered them on to the winner’s circle. Another world championship honor was awarded in this class. This time it was the team of I’m A Rod and Dalia Smith-Harr for proud dad Kenny Smith of Manchester, Ky. This impressive team has claimed top honors at the Columbia Spring Jubilee earlier this season. Reserve honors in this impressive class went to Le Patron and Debbie Wells for Heiden & Wells of Florence S.C. Le Patron and Debbie have claimed top honors at the SCWHA Ladies Auxiliary show earlier this year. Rounding out the top three was High Jacked and Dr. Jim Baum for Lisa Baum.



Five competitive entries answered the gate call for the Young Trainers, 35 Years & Under, on Walking Mares or Geldings class. Judge Landrum served as the call judge for this fine class. This exciting class of young trainers definitely served as great entertainment for all in attendance. Taking home the top award was the pair of Jane’s Silver Lining and Justin Harris for David and Libby Doub of Estill Springs, Tenn. This talented mare has claimed top honors at the Gulf Coast Charity and Walking For Cancer show earlier this season. Reserve went to Lindsey Lohan and Bill Callaway for Bruce Butler of Morehead, Ky. Taking home the third

One of the fastest exhibitions in town entered the big oval was next. Jacob Parks exhibited his World Grand Champion Speed Racking horse Rowdy Falcon. Jacob and his family have raised single-footing speed racking horses for over 30 years. Bobby and Jacob have traveled to Israel and sold speed racking horses and introduced them to the single-footing methods of the racking horse. Jacob makes one of his final rides on Rowdy Falcon as Falcon sold earlier this week. The crowd gave Rowdy Falcon and Jacob Parks Grand Championship applause as he took his final lap around the big oval.

Up next were the Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Stallions, Five Years & Over Canter division. Jose’ It Ain’t So and Benjamin Bowen made an exhibition for the crowd. Benjaman Bowen showed Jose’ It Ain’t So for proud grandparents Larry and Pam Russell of Pontotoc, Miss. This dynamic duo has claimed top honors at such prestigious venues as the Columbia Spring Jubilee, Christmas In July and Red Carpet Show of the South earlier this season.

Making their way into the big oval next was the Walking Horses, Mares & Geldings class. Eight impressive entries made the gate call all vying for the world championship title and honor. Judge Sorrell served as the call judge. Taking top honors in the class was Conga Line and John Allan Callaway for Delores Griffith of Alvaton, Ky. This talented mare claimed another world championship title earlier in the week in the Owner-Amateur Riders Five-Year-Old Mares or Geldings with Courtney Luttrell. Reserve honors went to I’m Deuce and Mickey McCormick for Rick and Marla Lovett of Mobile, Ala. This talented horse has also claimed top honors at the Fayetteville Blue Ribbon show earlier this season. Rounding out the top three was Silver Fog and Dan Waddell for Elizabeth Whitney.



All lights went out in the big oval as the Mike and Tito Show entered the ring. Tito is a 9-year-old Paso Fino stallion. He is no ordinary Paso Fino though; this talented stallion was decorated in blue LED lights and played soccer going around the big oval. Tito’s partner is Mike Gascon, a fifth generation horse trainer. The team has also added movie stars to their resume, having been cast alongside Luke Perry. Gascon and Tito wowed the crowd as they kicked the gait up a notch and Gascon rode with his hands in the air. This talented team came all the way to Shelbyville, Tenn., from Poplarville, Miss.

Following the exciting Paso Fino exhibition was the Park Pleasure Walking Horses, Four-Years & Over class. Eight top entries answered the gate call. Judge Bingham served as the call judge. Claiming unanimous top honors in this highly competitive class was the dynamic duo of BB King’s Jazz and Mickey McCormick for Stephens & Womack of Grayson, Ky. This talented horse has once again enjoyed an undefeated season. BB King’s Jazz has also claimed two other World championship titles in the Elite Owner-Amateur Riders on Park Pleasure and Owner-Amateur Youth 6-17 Park Pleasure Mares or Geldings. Reserve honors went to Hello, I’m Johnny Cash and Patrick Thomas for S&P LLC of Saratoga, Calif. This makes the third reserve world championship title this talented horse has claimed during Celebration 2015.  Rounding out the top three places was Ritz’s Red Solo Cup and Howard Hamilton for Harold Roberts.



Three top entries answered the gate call for the Walking Horses, Stallions class. Judge Bonner served as the call judge. Taking home top honors in this impressive class was The Legal Tender and Justin Harris for Brad Bertrum of Athens, Ala. This talented horse took home top honors from the Wartrace show earlier this season. Reserve honors went to The Crimson Sky and Herbert Derickson for Judy Case of Madison, Ala. The Crimson Sky has taken home top honors from the Spring Fun Show and Walking For Cancer show earlier this season. Capturing the third place award was the team of Skywatch Contender and Joe Martin for Gus King and Cena Martin.

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