By Mark McGee 

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – Model Pleasure Walking Stallions opened the 12-class Thursday morning session in Calsonic Arena for the second day of the 82nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Presiding over the competition is the team of Rollie Beard, Ross Campbell, Mike Hilley, Sam Sorrell and Leigh Stuart.

After a two year absence from competition, Ritz Entourage and handler Beverly Carter entered the ring in the opening class as the fan favorite and ended as the Model Pleasure Walking Stallions class as the favorite of the judges. Lorraine Rosbury of Bell Buckle, Tennessee owns the winner which also won the World Championship in 2015 and 2014. Back In The Saddle Again took reserve honors with Robert Nelms exhibiting for Lisa Teel. Demonic Presence picked up the yellow ribbon with Laurie Toone guiding for Karen and Ron Bochenek.

Nine entries answered the gate call in the Owner-Amateur Riders on Three-Year-Old Western Trail Pleasure Walking Horses class. Shouts of Jolene, Jolene were heard as Please Jolene was called to the winner’s circle with Carol Ann Turner from Hillsboro, Ohio aboard. The red ribbon was presented to Lady James and Darren Gray. Scandalous KK and Kyle Bush tied third for the partnership of Lindy Holt and Kyle Bush.

On A Timeline was in line for the blue in a class of eight entries vying for the Owner-Amateur Riders on English Country Pleasure Walking Horses, Five & Under World Championship. Julie Carlson was in the saddle. The winner is owned by the partnership of Carlson, from O’Fallon, Illinois and Phyllis Langley from Scottsdale, Arizona. Zendaya was ridden to second by Bob Lawrence who co-owns the horse with Carroll Hutto. He Is Forrest Gump was the yellow streamer winner with Debbie Marbry.

Loose In The Outfield was the unanimous choice of the judging panel for the blue among eight entries in the Model Pleasure Walking Geldings class. Bill Bobo was the handler for Rushing Creek Walkers of Dickson, Tennessee. Carolina Chrome shined in second place for Laurie Toone and owner Sophia Borg. Empire and Robert Nelms finished third for the partnership of Buckner and Player.

Petal Pushin’ Jazz pushed to the blue in the Owner-Amateur Riders on All Day Pleasure Walking Horses class with Lauren Hamilton from Cedar Grove, Tennessee. Petal Pushin’ Jazz was the World Champion in 2018 as well. Miss Belle Starr W was reserve with Dr. Brittany Baum for owner Jacob Baum. Roan Ranger rode to third with Maggie Moore riding for the partnership of Moore and Jim Leek.

Six entries entered the ring for the Owner-Amateur Riders on Trail Pleasure Walking Horses class. A unanimous vote of the five-judge panel sent Checkpoint Charlie SF to the winner’s circle with rider Ashley Say from Christiana, Tennessee. Her co-owners are Tamara Hader of Bainbridge, Georgia and Harper Grider from Columbia, Kentucky. Australian Gold was second for Allison Thorson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Sweet As Strawberry Wine won the yellow streamer for Amanda Manis and co-owners Carolyn and Gary Pope , as well as the Justin Manis Family.

Roscoe Jenkins and Susan Coleman from Unionville, Tennessee walked to a unanimous first place in a field of four entries in the Owner-Amateur Riders on English Lite-Shod Walking Horses class. Moonshine At Midnight was second for Darden Gladney of Gladney Farms. Lil Wayne finished third for Rick Roberson. 

He’s Just A Gigalo was ridden to a Celebration world championship for the first time ever by Ronnie Rushing for Rushing Creek Farms of Dickson, Tennessee. Novices no more, the pair claimed the Owner-Amateur Novice Riders on Novice Park Pleasure Walking Horses title. Taking second place among the seven entries was In Line At The Ritz with Ashley Rea in the saddle for Dr. Ann Rea. She’s In Strong Demand was third for Barbara Appleton and co-owners Gordon and LaMar DePoyster. 

Miss Belle Starr W and Dr. Brittany Baum of Shelbyville, Tennessee captured the Owner-Amateur Riders on All Day Pleasure Walking Horses, Five & Under World Championship. Miss Belle Starr W, co-owned by Alex Luttrell from Alvaton, Kentucky, was the Weanling World Grand Champion in 2016. Reserve honors went to Privileged and Maggie Moore. The Girl’s Knight Out and Kala Burgett rounded out the top three spots.

With 20 entries, the Owner-Amateur Novice Riders on Novice Country Pleasure Walking Horses was the largest class of the morning. First Knight Out and Leigh Anne Gregory won their first world championship title for the Brad Gregory Family. A Bit Rowdy and Eli Murphy were happy to receive the reserve honor, while Just Made Bail and Korby Sanders tied third for co-owners Murphy and Debbie and Chester Marbry. 

Dose’ repeated unanimously as World Champion Park Pleasure Horse having also having won in 2019. Patrick Thomas made the winning ride for Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tennessee. The Dixie Doll and Jeff Laughlin won the red streamers for owner Doris Penick, while the third place honor was awarded to We’re Jammin’ The Blues with Howard Hamilton riding for Champion Stables. 

Six horses closed out the morning session in the Owner-Amateur Riders on English Trail Pleasure Walking Horses, Five & Under class. Habanero Picante was directed to the world championship by Kimberly Walden of Shelbyville, Tennessee. Second was Mr. Bentley with Ashley Wadsworth riding. Stapleton was third with Maggie Moore in the saddle for co-owner Jim Leek.