Celebration Announces Tunica Judging Slate
Thursday, October 8, 2015
The Celebration is pleased to announce it’s judging panel for the 2015 edition of the Tunica Fall Classic. Ray Gilmer, Dean Byard and Bill Reel will compose the panel. “We are both pleased and excited about this year’s slate,” stated CEO Mike Inman. “Two judges will be fresh faces to judging Celebration event, although all three choices have great experience. Widening the pool of judges that oversee Celebration shows is one of the goals our board finds very important.”
Ray Gilmer comes to the ring with previous Celebration experience having judged in the big oval in 1991 and 2002. From Toone, Tenn., Gilmer has also officiated premiere shows such as Baton Rouge, the Southern Championship, and the Spring Fun Show on three different occasions.
Dean Byard of Nashville, Tenn., has been involved with Tennessee Walking Horses his entire life. He is a well-seasoned judge having called the placements at such high profile shows as the National Trainers’ Show, Mississippi Charity, Gulf Coast Charity and East Tennessee Classic. Byard is very prepared and excited to judge his first Celebration event.
Bill Reel hails from Broadway, Va., and has handled judging responsibilities at the East Tennessee Classic, many shows in North and South Carolina, as well as the North Carolina Championship in both 2012 and 2014. Reel will bring this top competition experience to Tunica in his inaugural Celebration event.
The Gold Strike Hotel is again serving as the Host hotel for the Tunica Fall Classic and rooms are going fast. The reservation code for room discounts is: 1511TUNCA. Make reservations by calling 1-888-245-7529. Be sure to mention “Tunica Fall Classic” when you make your call.
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