By Britney Brown
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The Monday before Labor Day has always been the last morning session of The Celebration in Cooper Steel Arena. A total of 18 classes, beginning and ending with Equitation championships, were on the program. Travis Olinger announced the judging panel and Brian Peery struck up the organ at precisely 9 o’clock.
Class 115E, Auxiliary Equitation, Riders 6-17, Youth Medal World Grand Championship, was the first class to answer the gate call, with two entries. These graceful riders exemplified the prestige and poise associated with the breed, holding with historic traditions. Derek Bonner called the class. In the end, Finley Reed of Petersburg aboard Cash Reaction wore the roses by unanimous choice and made the victory pass. Reed won this year at Woodbury Lions Club, and won the Auxiliary Equitation Medal Class Youth 15-17 on Wednesday morning. Second in the class went to the Wednesday morning Youth 6-14 Auxiliary Equitation champion, Ally Jo Jacobs, of Murfreesboro. She also won the TWHBEA Youth Medallion Performance and the Auxiliary Equitation Medal Class Youth 6-11 on Saturday morning.
Class 116 was next on the program, Weanling Colts of 2026 Foal. Judge Brooks was the call judge for the class as the 10 entries walked up the chute. These young colts and their handlers made an excellent show. In the end, Chips N Salsa and Amanda Wright won for the George Wright Family of Mount Juliet by unanimous selection. This marks two years in a row the George Wright Family has taken home the blue in this division. Chips N Salsa was bred by Brian L. Wright, sired by Jalapeño, out of Miss Razzle N Dazzle, and won on Wednesday evening in the Spring Weaning Colts National Futurity. Reserve in the class went to WHTA Fireworks & Freedom winner, Willie G. with Beverly Carter handling for Robert Nelms and Jody Brannon. Willie G. was bred by Jodie Brannon and sired by Kobe 24 out of Stormy Night Revenge. Coming out of the lineup to wear the yellow steamer was True Blue Legend and Robert Nelms at the halter for the Jake Jacobs Family.
Owner-Amateur Novice Lite Shod, class 117, entered the ring next. Four entries answered the gate call as Sam Sorrell called the gaits in the class. Riding to a unanimous first-place finish for Tibbs Highway Horse Farm, Mike and Leighanne Tibbs and Gracie Mourglea of Petersburg was Dixie Special with Gracie Mourglea in the irons. Wearing the crimson streamer was She Is Unbelievable with Ashley Search riding for herself and Donna Hill. They were champions this year at the Heart O’ Dixie Spring Showcase, WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Walking In The Smokies, Mid-South Horse Show Association and the International Grand Championship. Finally, third on the cards was Val Halla and Kimberly Delano, the owner and up.
Class 118 brought Owner-Amateur Novice Youth Trail Pleasure Mares & Geldings. Judge Williams called the class of five horse-and-rider teams vying for their first Celebration blue. Riding out of the novice division forevermore was Daddy’s Dreamcatcher with Aubrey Singleton in the irons for WERCO Equine LLC and LeAnn Werner-Osborn of Clermont, Florida. They took home the blue streamer and neck ribbon by unanimous selection, after winning in 2026 on the PWHAT Fun Show series, at the WHOA Spring Extravaganza, the Spring Fun Show and WHOA Show Series. Second award in the good class went to Icy Ice Baby and Katherine Vaughn for Mike Fayne. Icy Ice Baby was the Owner-Amateur Trail Pleasure Two-Year-Old World Champion on Thursday Morning. Earning the third award was Rectify and Koen Morris, the entry owned by Cynthia Barrett and Koen Morris.
Class 119 turned up the heat on this sunny Monday morning with English Park Pleasure. Rollie Beard called the class of eight competitive entries. In the end, World Champion One Special Poison and Jonathan Baskin made the victory pass out of the lineup for Lisa Shockley of Moorefield, West Virginia. Reserve was awarded to World Champion and World Grand Champion Midnight At Dixies and Jamey Thompson riding for Jim Heiting. In 2026, Midnight At Dixies won at the Putnam County Fair. The gold streamer was worn by five-time World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion Dose and Patrick Thomas, in the irons for Lisa Baum.
Class 120 switched gears as Weanling Fillies of 2026 Foal entered the ring. This class was a qualifier for the Weanling World Grand Championship. With five entries, Judge Bonner called the class as everyone found a good spot on the rail. In the end, Jalapeños Diamond Braclet and Robert Nelms won for Perry and Kimberly Walden of Shelbyville. Jalapeños Diamond Braclet was bred by Kimberly Walden, sired by Jalapeño, out of Diamond At The Ritz and won in 2026 at the WHOA Spring Extravaganza, Woodbury Lions Club and the International Grand Championship, as well as winning a world championship Wednesday evening in the National Futurity Fall Weanlings class. Reserve in the class went to Alabama Ladies Auxiliary winner, She’s Choo’N Cash with Leighanne Tibbs handling for Shannon Strine. She’s Choo’N Cash was bred by Shannon Strine and sired by Jimmy Choo out of Royal Line. Coming out of the lineup to wear the yellow steamer was Nobody’s Darlin’ But Mine and Beverly Carter at the halter for Lisa Teel and Lisa Washburn.
Class 121 brought Owner-Amateur Western Lite Shod contenders into the arena. Four horses and their riders competed for the chance at a world championship. Scotty Brooks called the gaits in the class. Out of the lineup came Cornersville Lions Club champion, Ed, with owner Susan Coleman of Unionville in the irons. This was the first World Championship for Ed, who is by Gen A’Mighty and out of a Pushover’s Powerstroke mare. Eleven-time World Champion and three-time World Grand Champion Big Time Bandit with owner Lisa Baum in the irons, took home reserve. Their 2026 wins were at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show and Spring Fun Show. In third on the cards was World Champion Not Enough Proof and Becca Tate, riding for Janson Patterson and Heritage Farms.
Class 122 was Owner-Amateur Four & Five-Year-Old Country Pleasure. Judge Sorrell called the class as nine entries found a spot on the rail. Competition was stiff and the class was deep. Once the cards were in, Jalapeño and Kimberly Walden were awarded first place for Perry and Kimberly Walden of Shelbyville. The 2023 Maiden Champion, two-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Jalapeño was an undefeated winner in 2026 at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Walking In The Smokies, the FAST Spring Showcase and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Taking home reserve for Bruce and Lee Sinden was World Champion Hit List and Dr. Blake Everett. This team won at The Low Country Classic and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom this year. Finally, three-time World Champion Talkin’ Tennessee and Sherri Pollack earned the third award for S&P LLC.
Two & Three-Year-Old Country Pleasure, class 123, was next on the program. Judge Williams called the gaits for the 15 entries in the class. This division included Futurity nominated two and three-year-old mares, geldings and stallions. At last, making the victory pass for Catherine Cornwell of Scottsville, Kentucky, was Fight Knight with Hannah Pulvers in the irons. They competed and won at the PWHAT Fun Show, Shelbyville Tennis Club and the International Grand Championship in 2026. Second award in the good class went to the Wednesday morning Novice Five & Under World Champion, De La Cruz, and Elaine Kapinos. The third award was presented to Futurity winner in the division, Oorah and Laurie Toone for Hunter Morgan.
Class 124 called Owner-Amateur Novice Five & Under All Day Pleasure horses to compete. Judge Beard called the class after 15 entries answered the gate call. Making their first ever Celebration victory pass by unanimous choice was Bridgerton with owner Emily Weddington of Brentwood riding. With wins in 2026 at Walking In The Smokies, the Belfast Lions Club and the International Grand Championship, they add a Celebration World Championship to their accolades. Reserve in the class was awarded to Wartrace champion and Saturday morning’s Owner-Amateur Novice Youth All Day Pleasure World Champion, Aleena’s Dixie Shockwave with Katy Granus in the irons for Louis Lane, Katy Granus and Dustin Smith. Finally, Nine At Knight and Kerrington Stamper, the owner and up, wore the yellow streamer.
The call came for Two-Year-Old Lite-Shod, class 125. Judge Bonner called the class of four horse-and-rider teams. This division included Futurity nominated two-year-old lite-shod mares, geldings and stallions. After the cards were in, Ambushed At The Border and Jonathan Baskin were selected unanimously to make the winning ride for Rushing Creek Walkers – Ronnie and Angela Rushing of Dickson. This world championship ride was the first time Ambushed At The Border has shown since he was a weanling. The highest earning Futurity nominee in this division, Ambushed At The Border was bred by John F. Dorris and is sired by Jose’s Ambush out of 24K. Wearing the crimson streamer for Allison Smart and Pat Sparkman was Jeri Sue with Kyle Elliott in the irons. Jeri Sue was bred by Kevin J. Arrighi and is sired by Jose’ Jose’ out of Melody Of The Master. In third on the cards was Our Lady Justice with Patrick Thomas riding for Lisa Baum.
Class 126 brought the Country Pleasure contenders into the ring. Under the direction of Judge Brooks, these nine entries got underway on the rail at a flat walk. Each entry made an excellent show. After much deliberation, World Champion Hit List and Alex Sinden were selected to wear the blue for Bruce and Lee Sinden of Valdese, North Carolina. They had victories this year at The Low Country Classic and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Reserve in the good class was the team of Side Lined and Hannah Pulvers for Janet Howell and Finley New. Finally, riding out of the east side to receive the third award was six-time World Champion and four-time World Grand Champion Slingblade, with Denise Bader riding for Debbie Marbry.
Class 127, Owner-Amateur Novice Trail Pleasure, was next on the class list for this lovely Monday morning. Nine entries competed for their first Celebration victory under the direction of Judge Sorrell. In the end, A Sniper and owner Abbie Warren of Dallas, Georgia, made the victory pass. The reserve award went to Enticed with Elaine Kapinos, the owner and rider. Wearing out the gold streamer was The Way I Am PVF with owner Lore Patterson in the irons.
Owner-Amateur Five & Under Park Pleasure, class 128, was next up the chute. Cheers of excitement erupted from Cooper Steel Arena as this class which contained some seasoned world champions took to the rail. Eight entries competed as Judge Williams called the gaits in the class. Two-time World Champion Mr. Patron, with Becca Tate in the irons, wore the blue streamer and neck ribbon in the end for Janson Patterson and Heritage Farms of. Mr. Patron was the winner in this division last year as well and already rode to a world championship on Wednesday morning with Ryan Gannon in the Five & Under Park Pleasure class. With 2026 wins at Walking In The Smokies and Fayetteville Blue Ribbon shows, Mr. Patron added another world championship to his titles. Reserve in the good class went to WHTA National Trainers’ Show winner, Gen’s Midnight Blue with owner Sister Milligan riding. In third on the judges’ cards were Zach Top and Caroline Elliott, the owner and up.
Class 129E, Adult Equitation 18 & Over (Canter) was the final class of Monday morning, as per tradition. Rylee Eilerman was the single entry for the class. She worked the pattern expertly and cantered aboard her mount, Jose’s Bambino. After that, she wore the roses and medallion back to her home in Alvaton, Kentucky. Her 2026 wins include rides at the PWHAT Fun Show, WHOA Spring Extravaganza, Money Tree Classic Auxiliary Equitation Showcase, the TWHBEA World Versatility Championship and the International Grand Championship
With that, the last Celebration morning sessions were concluded. Several novices were novice no more. New equitation champions had been crowned. Spectators and exhibitors would retire to rest and prepare for more Celebration festivities. Monday and Tuesday night always denote Dollar Night in the Big Oval, where tickets and select concessions were only a dollar.