By Britney Brown
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – Tuesday evening’s performance in the Celebration Arena continued the long-standing tradition of Fan Appreciation Dollar Night. Fifteen classes were on the program as everyone settled in for another balmy night of festivities. Mark Farrar announced the return of Fruit Jar Alley with Ronnie Spears carrying the flag. Abe Zimmerman of First United Methodist Church of Shelbyville said the invocation, followed by Leah Boyd of Murfreesboro singing the national anthem.
The first class was Mare & Foal, 141, with Judge Williams calling the seven entries. The handlers and horses made their way down the hill and spread out along the rail. Mare-and-foal teams parked out on the west rail. In first place on the judges’ cards was the entry of Lisa Teel and Lisa Washburn of Fayetteville: I Am Dazzling 4G and The Mambacita, led by Beverly Carter and Lisa Teel. The Mambacita was bred by Lisa Teel and Lisa Washburn and sired by Kobe 24. I Am Dazzling 4G is the daughter of I Am Jose’. Reserve in the class went to Armed Eye Candy and Eutaw, with Maria Bobo and Mary Frances Way at the halters. They are the entry of Mona McMillan and Ian Smith. Eutaw was bred by Mona McMillan and Ian Smith and is sired by Jimmy Choo. Armed Eye Candy is the daughter of Deal With The Devil. Taking home third was Call For A Good Time and Satin Sheets with owners John F. Dorris and Rachel Rymer leading.
The second class down the hill on Tuesday night was 142, Three-Year-Old Geldings. This large division included Three-Year-Old Futurity nominated performance geldings. Judge Beard called the class of 16 entries. In the end, He’s The Big League Choo and Sam Martin wore the blue streamer and neck ribbon for Floyd and Caryl Sherman of Shelbyville. He’s The Big League Choo had 2026 victories at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show, Woodbury Lions Club and a world championship ride on Wednesday night in the Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares & Geldings section A. He was also a two-time world champion as a weanling. Reserve in the good class was awarded to Saint Patrick and Ryan Blackburn for Kilburn, Cox and Bingham. Their 2026 wins were at the FAST Spring Showcase and Walking For Eli. Third on the cards was Seger with Charlie Green in the irons for Riddley and Harr.
Class 143A, Owner-Amateur Four-Year-Old Mares & Geldings came into the ring under the direction of Judge Bonner. Sixteen entries answered the gate call and took to the rail. J Brantley struck up “Leaning on Jesus” as they took their horses up to a running walk. Out of the lineup and into the winner’s circle rode Jose’s Limitless and Taylor Walters riding for Molly Walters of Rancho Mirage, California. Their 2026 wins were at Walking For Cancer and Heart Of A Champion. This was the first world championship title for Jose’s Limitless. Taking home the crimson streamer for Floyd and Caryl Sherman was two-time World Champion Commanding The Legacy and Stephanie Martin. Their 2026 show season saw victories at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Walking to a third-place finish for Kelly Manis was The Honor Student and Kaitlyn Peeler.
Class 144 brought Two-Year-Old Trail Pleasure to the ring. This class included Futurity nominated two-year-old trail pleasure mares, geldings and stallions. Competition ramped up as these young horses and trainers, many of which had been former Maiden contenders, found a spot on the rail. Judge Brooks called the class of 11 entries. Making the victory pass for Caroline Elliott of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, was Dad Bod and Hannah Pulvers. A popular top three Maiden Finalist, Dad Bod and Pulvers made their first world champion ride. Dad Bod was bred by Caroline Elliott and is sired by Daddy’s Cash out of 14 Caret Diamond. Reserve in the good class went to Cash Daddy and Krysta Allen, riding for Wayne and Debbie Simons. Cash Daddy was the Maiden champion earlier this year at the International Grand Championship. He was bred by Jean-Marie Degville, sired by Daddy’s Cash and out of Gen’s Black Ops. Finally, wearing the yellow streamer for Jeanne Bourdeau-Heller was the team of Blue Strips and Joe Lester. Blue Strips is the National Futurity champion for this division.
Class 143B, the second section of Owner-Amateur Four-Year-Old Mares & Geldings came into the ring under the direction of Judge Sorrell. Twelve entries answered the gate call and took to the rail. Out of the lineup and into the winner’s circle rode Sir Hendrix and Laken Hammond for MacDonald and Hammond of Shelbyville. They won in 2026 at Wartrace, and this was the first world champion victory for Sir Hendrix. Taking home the crimson streamer for David and Theresa Williams was two-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Far Above Rubies, with Buie Williams riding. They won in 2026 at the Columbia Spring Jubilee. Walking to a third-place finish for Noel R Botsch – Botsch Farms was Stone Cold SRF with owner Noel Botsch in the irons.
Class 145 was next on the program for Tuesday night, Walking Mares & Geldings. This class was the preliminary to the Walking Horses Specialty World Grand Championship. Chad Williams served as call judge for the 17 entries in the good class. Making their way out of the lineup to receive the first-place honors for Kerry and Billie DeArmond of Greer, South Carolina, was World Champion I’m A Trump Girl with Tyler Baucom in the irons. I’m A Trump Girl won in 2026 at Wartrace. The crimson streamer in the good class was presented to two-time World Champion and 2026 Spring Extravaganza winner, He’s Walking In Dixie, with Clay Sanderson in the irons for Shirley Vandygriff. Finally, third on the cards was five-time World Champion She’s Lined With Love 4G and Thomas Derickson up for Maria Bobo.
Next on the program for the evening was class 146, Park Performance Horses. Judge Beard called the class as 13 horse-and-trainer teams answered the gate call. After much deliberation, seven-time World Champion and six-time World Grand Champion A Touche’, with Jeff Laughlin in the irons, wore the blue for Jannie Chapman of Red Banks, Mississippi. At 15 years old, A Touche’ already won in 2026 at the Marshall County Horseman’s Association before coming to The Celebration to add to his world championship titles. Coming to a reserve finish for Lisa Baum was three-time World Champion and World Grand Champion “Wanted” THF and Patrick Thomas. They won this show season at the Columbia Spring Jubilee. Wearing the yellow streamer home for Janson Patterson and Heritage Farms was Suspect Shady SHF and Jonathan Baskin.
Show Pleasure Mares & Geldings, class 147, came down the hill after that. Judge Bonner called the class of 12 entries to order. Out of the lineup came World Champion The Charleston Jazz to make the victory pass with Drew Graves in the irons for Jamie Gardner of Culleoka. The Charleston Jazz had 2026 wins at the FAST Spring Showcase, the Spring Extravaganza and the Columbia Spring Jubilee. He also made his first world championship ride on Wednesday night in Owner-Amateur Show Pleasure Five & Under Mares & Geldings. Reserve on the judges’ cards was three-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Nip Of Gin with Kayla Baucom showing for owner Kelly Manis. Nip Of Gin won in 2026 at Walking In The Smokies and the NCWHA Ladies’ Auxiliary. Walking to a third-place finish was a classic horse, two-time World Champion and World Grand Champion He’s Primetime, and Clay Sanderson riding for Kasie Sanderson.
Class 148 brought Owner-Amateur Mares & Geldings, 15.2 & Under to the ring. This competitive class saw 11 horse-and-rider teams ride for the blue under the direction of Judge Brooks. Cheers erupted from the crowd as everyone chose their favorite. In the end, it was two-time World Champion The Jackalope and Lauren Rader who made the victory pass for the second year in a row in this division. The entry of Nathan and Lauren Rader of Mechanicsville, Virginia, The Jackalope had victories in 2026 at the Slick Conner Memorial, ETWHA Fun Show and Spring Fun Show. Reserve in the class was presented to three-time World Champion The Longmire and Clay Mills, riding for Corbin and Caroline Mills. Their wins this show season included blues at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, the ETWHA Ladies Auxiliary and the Woodbury Lions Club. Wearing the gold streamer home was Toddy Time with owner Ty Irby in the irons.
The call came for Show Pleasure Stallions, class 149. Sam Sorrell was the call judge as 11 entries came down the hill. After much deliberation, the judges selected World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion Kong and Tyler Baucom to ride into the winner’s circle for Allyson Armstrong of Hickory, North Carolina. Kong won in 2026 at the TWHYA Summer Splash. Taking home the crimson streamer for the Shamrock Farms was the team of three-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Broadway Honors, with Tim Smith riding. Their accolades this show season include wins at the FAST Spring Showcase, the Columbia Spring Jubilee, WHTA Fireworks & Freedom and the Woodbury Lions Club. Third on the cards was World Champion The Crimson Sky, a classic horse, with Drew Graves up for Judy Case.
Class 150A was next on the program, Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallions. This first section of the two splits brought 13 entries to the ring. Judge Williams called the gaits in the class. Walking out of the lineup and into the winner’s circle was Harvey Specter SBS with owner Janice Fostek in the irons. Harvey Specter SBS was the Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallions World Champion and World Grand Champion in 2025, was a winner in 2026 at the Marshall County Horseman’s Association and came back to claim the Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallions World Championship. Second on the judges’ cards and finishing reserve was World Champion Chosen CSF and Caryl Sherman, up for Floyd and Caryl Sherman. They took home a victory this year at WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Wearing the yellow streamer was Chill Bill 4G and Maria Bobo, the owner and up.
Two-Year-Old Geldings, class 151 saw 19 entries answer the gate call. This class included Futurity nominated two-year-old performance geldings. Trainers vied for a spot on the rail under the direction of Judge Beard in the deep class. After much deliberation, Sunday night’s Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares & Geldings World Champion, Evening Star’s Jose, and Charlie Green made the victory pass for Holland and Clark of Decatur and Arab, Alabama. After winning this year at the Money Tree Classic, this was the second world championship for Evening Star’s Jose. Evening Star’s Jose was bred by S&P LLC, sired by Jose Jose and out of Powerstroke’s Evening Star. Second award was presented to I’m Hank Jr. and Tim Smith for Bruce and Robin MacDonald. Sired by Justified Honors and out of Sum It Up, I’m Hank Jr. was bred by Bruce. Finally, walking to a third-place finish was Indigo Choo and Sam Martin, up for Floyd and Caryl Sherman.
Class 150B brought Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Stallions down the hill. This second section of the two splits saw 13 entries enter the ring. Judge Bonner called the gaits in the class. Walking out of the lineup and into the winner’s circle for their first world championship, by unanimous choice, was Reacher with Lorraine Rosbury in the irons for Keith and Lorraine Rosbury of Bell Buckle. Reacher was a winner in 2026 at the FAST Spring Showcase and the Money Tree Classic. Second on the judges’ cards and finishing reserve was Cullman County Classic champion, Rock Revival, and Kerry Mitchell, up for Kerry and Angelia Mitchell. Wearing the yellow streamer for Floyd and Caryl Sherman was Dyno-Mighty and Stephanie Martin.
Owner-Amateur Western Country Pleasure, class 152, shifted gears in this second-to-last class of the night. Twelve entries answered the gate call and found spots on the rail under the direction of Judge Brooks. These horse-and-rider teams were some of the finest the flat shod industry had seen. Competition was fierce, but in the end, three-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Crypto and Kaitlyn Rippy, riding the Andy Rippy entry of Gallatin, made the victory pass. They won at Walking In The Smokies this year. Wearing the crimson streamer in the good class was five-time World Champion and five-time World Grand Champion Luciano, with owner Lisa Baum riding. Luciano won in 2026 at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show and the Money Tree Classic. Third on the cards was eight-time World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion Jose’s Twist Of Gin and Patti Pollack for Silver Spur Legacy LLC.
The final class of Tuesday evening, 153, brought Young Trainers, 35 & Under on Stallions. With 10 contenders, these young trainers exhibited excellence and their horses exhibited great skill as they found a good spot on the rail. Sam Sorrell called the gaits in the class. After much deliberation, five-time World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion Warbird and Ryan Blackburn made the blue ribbon ride for owners Ginger Williams of London, Kentucky. This was the third year in a row that Ryan Blackburn and Warbird have won in this division, and Warbird had 2026 victories at the Kentucky Celebration and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Finishing in reserve was Longing For Honors with Blaise Broccard in the irons for Pia Broccard. Longing For Honors won this year at the Spring Fun Show and earned his first world championship ride on Saturday night in Owner-Amateur Novice Ladies on Stallions. Finally, wearing the gold streamer for Ben Moss and Ron Carney was An Executive Privilege with Lake Weaver in the irons.
The second Fan Appreciation Dollar Night had concluded. A night full of competition and cheering spectators had ended with champions new and old retiring for some well-deserved rest. Wednesday evening would bring the last of the qualifying classes to the ring, as well as crowning some of the first world grand champions. It would also be Pink Night to support cancer awareness. Everyone got their last-minute donuts as they filed out for the evening and prepared for another day of Celebration.