By Britney Brown 

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – Sunday evening has always been an exciting session at The Celebration grounds. After the traditional Sunday morning service in the Big Oval, Lunch with the Legends had been an afternoon highlight for young attendees of The Celebration, as well as the traditional Celebration Sunday Golf Game for the older participants. Everyone gathered back for Church Night, celebrating faith and family. The 14 classes of the evening started with Fine Harness and ended with the Four-Year-Old Stallions. Mark Farrar welcomed Fruit Jar Alley and Ronnie Spears back to the ring bearing the flag. Ron Adams of the Emmanuel Church Pentecostal gave the invocation, followed by the national anthem sung by James Wells of Franklin.

Competition got underway with open Fine Harness, Class 103. J French Brantley played “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” as they made their way down the hill. Six entries answered the gate call with Scotty Brooks serving as call judge for the division. Drivers gracefully took to the rail with their horses. After the cards were in, and the horses lined up head-to-tail on the west rail, the selection of World Champion Cody James and Bill Cantrell was announced. Cody James won in this division last year, as well as a victory this year at The Horse Show of Franklin, Georgia, and is owned by Billy Knight of Holly Hill, South Carolina. Reserve in the class went to World Champion and World Grand Jose’s Vindicator, a classic horse, with Steve Beam at the whip for owner Caroline Wesley Way. Jose’s Vindicator won at the Sticky City Classic and Cullman County Classic in 2026. Finally, the third-place award was presented to two-time World Champion Outlier and Lake Weaver for Barbara Civils.

Class 104A, Amateur Owned & Trained, was next down the chute, with 10 horse-and-rider teams vying for the world championship title. Judge Sorrell called the gaits in the class as the competition heated. In the end, World Champion and World Grand Champion I’m Senor Copperfield with KJ Compton were chosen to make the victory pass, riding for DGC Enterprises and Rick Compton Sr. of Tazewell, Virginia. I’m Senor Copperfield won in 2026 at the Smoky Mountain Classic and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Wearing the crimson streamer for Kace Legg, Jim and Patricia Willians and Newton Parks was Offensive Line, with Newton Parks riding. They had wins this year at the Heart O’ Dixie Spring Showcase, West Virginia Summer Classic and Owingsville Lions’ Club. Finishing in third was I Am Zeta and owner R Blake Cammack for Champion Stables.

The call came for Class 105, Owner-Amateur Youth Park Performance Mares & Geldings. Answering the gate call were seven talented young riders and their mounts, as Judge Williams called the gaits in the large class. Making the victory pass out of the lineup was World Champion Hello Handsome and Hensley Hammond, the owner and up of Salisbury, North Carolina. Winning this year at the FAST Spring Showcase, this team adds another world championship blue to their titles. The reserve honor in the class went to World Champion Collusion with Jackson Laughlin in the irons for Sister Milligan and Jason Joseph. Their wins this year were at Walking In The Smokies and The Spring Extravaganza. Wearing the gold streamer home was three-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Draw A Line and Shane Smith for himself and Robert Deutsch.

Class 106A was next on the program for the evening, Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares & Geldings. Judge Beard called the class of 24 entries. There was a workout in this large class. J Brantley played “Victory in Jesus” as they made their way into the lineup. After stiff competition, Money Tree Classic champion, Evening Star’s Jose and Nathan Clark wore the blue streamer and neck ribbon for the partnership of Holland and Clark of Decatur and Arab, Alabama. Evening Star’s Jose is sired by Jose’ Jose’, and out of a Pusher’s Evening Star mare. Walking to reserve was Indigo Choo and Caryl Sherman for Floyd and Caryl Sherman. Indigo Choo is sired by Jimmy Choo and out of a Gen’s Armed And Dangerous mare and had wins at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show and The Spring Extravaganza this year. In third on the cards was He’s Got Honors and Jennifer Bingham up for Bryan Graham.

Owner-Amateur Youth 12-14 on Mares & Geldings, Class 107, made their way down the hill with 12 entries. Derek Bonner served as call judge for this talented field of riders and horses. Making a world champion ride, however, was World Champion A Code Of Honor and Levi Parker for Ricky Parker of Florence, Alabama. Their wins this year were at the Cornersville Lions Club, Cullman County Classic and the Marshall County Horseman’s Association. Coming to a reserve finish was seven-time World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion Uptight Jose and Eli Cunningham for Brittney and Eli Cuningham. Their 2026 wins were at Walking For Cancer and the Money Tree Classic. Third on the cards was I A That I Am and Anderson Cloninger. 

Class 106B was next on the program for the evening, Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares & Geldings. Judge Brooks called the class of 17 entries. J Brantley played “I am Bound for the Promised Land” as the horses waited in the lineup, keeping with the Church Night theme. After stiff competition Blue Generation and Jake Jacobs wore the blue streamer and neck ribbon for the Jacobs Family of Murfreesboro. Blue Generation is sired by Mr. True Blue and out of Bonnie’s Gotta Gun, and won in 2026 at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, TWHYA Summer Splash and the Fayetteville Blue Ribbon show. Walking to reserve in his first show was The Sicario and Ella Grace Healon for Mark Healon. The Sicario is sired by EL Zorro’s Star out of Charlie’s Fallen Angel. In third on the cards was Shady Holyfield and Payton Davis up for Jennifer Kee and Kelly Taylor.

Class 108 ushered in Owner-Amateur Novice Riders on Novice Show Pleasure Horses. Sam Sorrell called the class once the 18 entries took to the rail, eagerly riding for their first world championship. In the end, that honor was awarded to The Greatest Honor and Emily Kiser-Jackson, the owner and up of Alexandria, Louisiana. They have had wins this year at Walking In The Smokies, RHBAA Spring Celebration, The Horse Show of Franklin, Georgia and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Wearing the red streamer in the good class was Mr. General Lee and Austin Young, riding for Young, Callaway and Elliott. Finally, Southern Soul and Anne Marie Beard were awarded the third-place honors for Gail Walling. 

Class 104B, Amateur Owned & Trained, was next down the chute, with 12 horse-and-rider teams vying for the world championship title. J Brantley played “I Surrender All” as these entries made their way into the ring to find a good spot on the rail. Judge Williams called the gaits in the class as the competition heated again. A Poor Man’s Gold with owner Paul Robbins of Rutherfordton, North Carolina, in the irons was chosen to make the victory pass. A Poor Man’s Gold won in 2026 at the Walking In The Smokies, NCWHA Spring, Smoky Mountain Classic, East Tennessee Classic, Walking For Youth, Waynesville Charity and Marshall County Horseman’s Association. This was this team’s first world championship ride. Wearing the crimson streamer was four-time World Champion Tua MCF with owner Brian Anderton riding. Finishing in third was three-time World Champion Mr. For Real and Kenny Smith, riding for Renee Smith. 

Owner-Amateur Novice Youth 6-11 on Novice Mares & Geldings, class 109, entered the ring next, with nine entries making the gate call to vie for their first world champion title. Rollie Beard called the gaits in the class as competition got underway. These young riders gave their all, and in the end, G-Ride and Gracyn Cloninger earned their first victory pass in the Big Oval. Owned by the Cloninger Family and Charles A. Cloninger of Dallas, North Carolina, G-Ride won in 2026 at the NCWHA Ladies’ Auxiliary. Second award in the class was presented to Shelbyville Tennis Club and Belfast Lions’ Club champion, She’s Worthy Of Honor 4G, and Elliott Way for Jill Derickson. Taking home third for Hildreth Tillman was Master In Time and Boston Kate Tillman.  

Class 110 brought Elite Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Mares & Geldings to the ring to compete. These seven experienced riders guided their horses along the rail as Judge Bonner called the class. Coming out of the South side to make the victory pass was five-time World Champion My Honey Bee and Kelly Sherman, the owner and up of Shelbyville. My Honey Bee was undefeated in 2026 with wins at the Mid-South Horse Show Association, Spring Fun Show, Woodbury Lions’ Club and Marshall County Horseman’s Association. Taking home reserve in the good class was four-time World Champion Jimmer’s County Girl and Carole Baxter, the owner and rider. Jimmer’s Country Girl won in 2026 at the Heart O’ Dixie Spring Showcase and the Spring Fun Show. Finally, wearing the yellow streamer was Bye Felicia with owner Kathy Stewart in the irons. 

The night drew on, but competition only heated up, keeping spectators alert. Owner-Amateur Youth 15-17 on Ponies, class 111, entered the ring under the direction of call judge Brooks. The seven entries competed fiercely, but in the end it was Beach Bum Bruce and Shane Smith who were selected to make the blue-ribbon ride for Robert Deutsch and Shane Smith of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Mt. Vernon, Kentucky. This was the first world championship ride for Beach Bum Bruce, after wins this year at the Slick Conner Memorial, Derby Classic, KWHA Juvenile Auxilliary, Owingsville Lions Club and the CHRHA Kentucky State Championship. In reserve on the cards was Cornersville Lions Club and Putnam County Fair winner, Duracell CF and John Winston Clark for John Clark. Walking to a third-place finish was Peace In The Valley CTF and Avah Martin for Brian Perkins, Kenndi Sandlin and Jarred Osborne. 

Class 112 was next on the program, Owner-Amateur Stallions. This was a deep class with 11 entries being cheered on by the crowd. Sam Sorrell called the gaits in the class as they took to the rail. World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion Glory JC was chosen by the judging panel to make the victory ride, with Rae Abernathy aboard for Sandy Shumate of Duluth, Georgia. Glory JC had wins in 2026 at the FAST Spring Showcase, Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic. Second award was presented to three-time World Champion A Shade Of Jose and Buck Buchanan, the owner and rider. A Shade Of Jose had wins this year at the Money Tree Classic and Heart Of A Champion. Coming out of the lineup to receive the third award was four-time World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion Good Samaritan and Benjamin Bowen for Larry and Pam Russell.

Young Trainers, 35 & Under on Mares & Geldings, Class 113, turned up the heat on the competition even more as 15 young professionals entered the ring on their mounts. Once the gate closed, Chad Williams began to call the class. These young trainers gave everyone an exciting show. At the top of the cards for this second-to-last class of the night was Lethal Ambition and Ryan Blackburn, an iconic team with blues this year at Walking In The Smokies, Come-Unity Cooperative Care, the Spring Fun Show and the Owingsville Lions Club. Lethal Ambition is owned by Salt Lick Farms and Elese Lewis of Salt Lick, Kentucky, and this was her first world championship win. Coming to an impressive reserve finish was the Derby Classic champion, El Hombre In Black and RM Kellett for the Jacobs Family. Finishing with the third award was The Honor Student with Tyler Baucom in the irons for Kelly Manis.

Class 114, the final class of the evening, was the highly anticipated Four-Year-Old Stallions (Canter). Judge Beard called the class as six entries answered the gate call and made their way around the ring. Cheers and whistles went up from the crowd as they took a deep seat and showed at the running walk. After much deliberation, the cards were in, and two-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Should Been A Cowboy with Tyler Baucom were chosen to make the victory pass into the winner’s circle by unanimous choice. Shoulda Been A Cowboy is the entry of Ronnie Logsdon of Munfordville, Kentucky, and won in 2026 at the FAST Spring Showcase, WHTA Fireworks & Freedom and the Red Carpet Show of the South. Finishing in reserve was two-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Hurrah! with Sam Martin in the irons for Floyd and Caryl Sherman. Wearing the gold streamer for Joe Barnes and Bob Kilgore was World Grand Champion The Chief BK and John Allan Callaway. 

Sunday evening’s performance was concluded. Everyone prepared for the last morning session on Monday, and another competition in the Big Oval Monday night. Monday evening and Tuesday evening would bring spectators back to Shelbyville for Fan Appreciation Dollar Night.