by Jennifer Styskal

After a late night/early morning storm rolled across Middle Tennessee, Friday morning’s performance opened with pleasantly cool temperatures. Judges Mike Carpenter, Sam Sorrell, Jennifer Bingham, Jamie Bradshaw and Rollie Beard got the show off to a prompt start at 9 a.m. The youth kicked off the start of Friday’s performance with the Owner-Amateur Novice Youth 6-17 Years on Novice Plantation Pleasure Walking Mares or Geldings, Lite-Shod. Five teams hit the ring, and the early morning crowd voiced their favorites for the judges. Making the first victory pass of the morning, as well as the first victory pass of their Celebration career, Allison Thorson and the handsome gray Dust Bunny walked their way back to Ohio with the blue ribbon. This world championship capped off a great season for Thorson and Dust Bunny with blue ribbons from WHOA Versatility Cookeville, WHOA/PWHAK Franklin, PWHAT Shelbyville and Indiana Charity. Jordan Laughlin had the reserve championship ride on Armed Scarlet Lady for 4-J Land & Cattle Co. Wins from Halfway Saddle Club and Dixon Saddle & Bridle Club round out this team’s resume.

Nineteen filled class 37, Amateur Owned & Trained Western Trail Pleasure, No Professional Training within 90 Days. Taking the blue back to Franklin, Ky., Jared Carrier added to an already successful Celebration week. All five judges agreed Carrier and Santa Emelia should take a walk down victory lane. Santa Emelia had also earned a reserve world championship on Thursday morning. With such a competitive class, Ashley Say was quite happy with her reserve ribbon on Eagle’s Lady Sue. This reserve world championship was preceded by wins at the International Championship and Spring Hill Lions.

The crowd really woke up when the first performance class of the morning stormed through the gates. Eleven young teams made up the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-11 Years on Show Pleasure Walking Mares of Geldings. One horse became a little too excited and fell on his rider. Preliminary reports say the young girl only suffers from a concussion. Once the ring was cleared, the class returned to order and all rode hard for a Celebration blue. When the class was called, Generator’s Top Dollar and Brandon Ailshie headed to the winner’s circle as returning world champions. Ailshie rode like a pro, showing the crowd how he and Top Dollar earned victories at URHOEA Spring and Scott County. Making a smooth ride for the reserve honors, Shelby Sims directed Smooth Skyes to center ring for the red ribbon. This award was a nice addition to a resume that held 2009 wins from Derby Classic, North Middleton, Happy Trails Grayson, Boyle County Fair, Garrard County and Smith’s Grove.

Creating a change in pace, 13 entries answered the gate call for the Owner-Amateur Riders on Western Plantation Pleasure Walking Horses, Lite-Shod. Joanne Davis beamed when she rode Jose’s Quervo Gold to the winner’s circle.  This team earned a reserve world championship on Thursday morning, and almost 24 hours later, they were walking out with the top prize for Williamson and Davis. Jared Carrier was once again in the saddle on another top-notch competitor. Carrier guided Catastrophic to pick up the red honors for Carrier and Toone. Co-owner Laurie Toone has had an undefeated year with Catastrophic with wins from Upper Cumberland, Spring Fun Show, National Trainers’ Show and the International Championship.

The youth riders returned to the spotlight in Calsonic Arena when 11 entries vied for the Owner-Amateur Youth Western Trail Pleasure, Riders 6-11 Years. She’s Pretty Jazzy returned to the winner’s circle for the second time in as many days, although this time it’s with a different rider. Kaitlyn Rippy, decked out in a beautiful white western outfit with pink flowers, rode She’s Pretty Jazzy to her second world championship, this time a unanimous decision, for Paige Bennett and Rippy. Texas Daisy Darling and Alex Blackburn teamed up to take the reserve title back to Franklin, Tenn., for Stacy and Alex Blackburn. Blackburn made a stellar ride on the Hard Texas Cash daughter.

With the young riders filing out of the ring, the young horses took their turn. The Owner-Amateur Riders on Park Pleasure Walking Horses, Two and Three Years Old saw 10 teams compete for the chance to make that oh-so satisfying trip down victory lane. The Red Falcon and Barbara Civils earned that privilege after putting on a grand performance. Owned by the Berry Coffey Estate, The Red Falcon captured a TWHBEA National Futurity blue as well as a Dickson county victory before heading into the winner’s circle this morning. Annapolis returned to California with the reserve title. Sue Brassy made the ride for Brassy and Dunn. Trainer Jamey Thompson also claimed a reserve world championship with Annapolis the previous morning.

The schedule took a break in the under saddle action to allow the crowd and judges to examine 16 weanlings and their young handlers in the TWHBEA Youth Weanlings, Handlers 6-17 Years. After a close look at each weanling’s gait and conformation, Mark Farrar Jr. announced Miss Cheyenne and BJ Richards as the winners for owner Larry Messimer. With a sleek, black coat, Miss Cheyenne, by Seve and out of a Black Vengance mare, has also earned wins from the TWHBEA National Futurity, Dr. CC Chitwood Memorial, Grinder’s Switch, Smoky Mountain Classic, Columbia Spring Jubilee, National Trainers’ Show, Money Tree Classic and the International Championship to make for an undefeated year. Walking away with the reserve honors in a large class was Miss Eudaily with Logan Goostree heading for Hurley, Hurley, Johnston and Lowery. Miss Eudaily, by Out On Parole and out of a Gold Power mare, had two wins on her resume from the International Championship before coming to the Celebration.

Class 43, Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-11 Years on Plantation Pleasure Walking Mares or Geldings, Lite-Shod, only brought three teams into the ring, but each pair rode to their best ability. After two reserve world championships over the past two days, Arm’s Scarlett O’Hara with Jesse Laughlin headed to the winner’s circle for Jeff Laughlin. Ty Hodges was proud of his ride on Nuclear Weapon. Katie West and Hodges are the owners of this Chestnut Hill Charity champion.

The young horses made another appearance in Calsonic Arena this morning. Fifteen entries came down the chute to work for the Owner-Amateur English or Western Trail Pleasure, Four Years Old, Adult Riders World Championship. Who knew? Well, the judges did when they sent Carrie Benedict and Who Knew down victory lane with the blue, besting a nice group of 15. Benedict and Graves are the owners of the Edmonson County Saddle Club champion. With several wins already under their belt from the Florida circuit, Dream Catcher Command and owner Donald Hendrix rode back to Nahunta, Ga., with the red ribbon.

Switching from the young to the young-at-heart, the Owner-Amateur Riders 50 Years & Over on Plantation Pleasure Walking Horses, Lite-Shod took over the show ring. Nine made the gate call. Nancy Lovato and Elegance Of Design had earned a reserve world championship the previous morning, and they returned this morning to capture a victory. Add that to a Tony Rice championship, and this pair has had a successful season as they head back to Utah. Honor My Cash is another who’s had a stellar week, and it’s only day three. This black horse and owner Debbie Parmer collected the red streamers to include amongst their three world championships and a previous reserve.
Young riders and their young mounts teamed up for the Owner-Amateur English or Western Trail Pleasure, Two & Three Years Old, Youth Riders 6-17 Years class. The largest class of the day, 21 entries came into the ring. Allison Thorson returned to the winner’s circle after visiting there first thing this morning. This time, Thorson rode Jose’s Rhythm to the blue. Liz Gassaway also had a blue ribbon ride on this mare Thursday morning, making these three quite the team to beat. Another team who’s had their name called multiple times by Mark Farrar this week, Gigi’s Majestic and Logan Hankins rode in for the reserve honors. Co-owner Jennifer McElroy had picked up a world championship from Thursday morning with Gigi’s Majestic.

It took some time for class 47, Plantation Pleasure Walking Horses, Two Years Old, Lite-Shod to get under way with a thrown show and two more timeouts called at the start. The judges finally called the class to order and the 12 teams went to work. The blue ribbon went back to Reidsville, N.C., with Grandy Tuck directing Jazzalicious down victory lane. Jazzalicious made his season debut for owner Ginger Williams on Wednesday night at the TWHBEA Futurity to take top honors then as well. Reserve went to Cash On The Ritz and Laurie Toone. The Upper Cumberland and International Championship winner put on a good showing for owner Eve Durant.

Wrapping up the morning session, the youth handlers returned to the ring, this time showing off their yearlings. Seven attended the TWHBEA Youth Yearling Fillies or Geldings, Handlers 6-17 Years. By a unanimous decision of the judging panel, BJ Richards returned to the winner’s circle to make a sweep of the TWHBEA youth in hand division. Richards led My Cowgirl Dale Evans to the blue for Roger Richards, adding the world championship to an outstanding total of 18 previous blue ribbons. He’s Puttin On The Ritz sired the champion out of a Classic Generator mare. Taylor Morgan was thrilled when her number was called. She handled CP3 for the second place honors. Allen Curtis and Roger Richards own the Crossroads of Dixie champion, who is sired by Gen’s Armed And Dangerous and out of a Gold Coin Collector mare.

Click here for complete results for Friday morning.