(Editor’s Note: The following script was read Saturday evening, Sept. 1 during the retirement of the back number of last year’s World Grand Champions, Honors and Larry Edwards.)

We have an honored tradition at the Celebration. It’s time to pay tribute to an individual who is living part of Celebration history. Tonight, we again mark history, as we have for all previous World Grand Champions. We officially retire this back rider number from further Celebration competition. 

The number 1026 will always belong to the 2016 World Grand Champion team of Honors and Larry Edwards.
At the 78th anniversary of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, Larry Edwards and Honors rode into the ring on the last Saturday night to a roar of applause and cheering, and they exited the ring in the same fashion as they claimed the title of the 2016 Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Champion. 

The black stallion, who is sired by The Titleist and out of Pushover’s Mark, quickly caught the eye of owners Dan and Keith McSwain during his two-year-old season. As a three-year-old, Honors and Larry Edwards amassed three wins, including the Three-Year-Old World Grand Championship. 

Honors’ four-year-old year mimicked much of his three-year-old season. He made one appearance before entering the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration where he was named the Four-Year-Old World Grand Champion.

Over the next three years, Honors entered the ring five times. As an eight-year-old, Honors and Larry Edwards once again entered the Celebration arena. After two exciting wins earlier in the show season and a world championship on the first Saturday night, Honors excited the crowd as he was named the 2016 Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Champion. 

Overall, Honors boasts a perfect 20-0 show record, which includes three World and World Grand Championships.

Since that thrilling night, Honors has been busy as a true ambassador of the breed through his breeding and friendly interactions with fans all over the world. 

Tonight we honor Larry Edwards and Honors as we proudly retire their winning rider back number 1026 … never again to be worn in Celebration competition.