The75th Anniversary Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration (TWHNC) will crown its 75th World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse on Saturday August 31, 2013. In addition to the traditional Saturday night finale, the 75th version of the Walking Horse classic will feature new divisions.
For the first time, The Celebration will have Owner-Amateur Five-Year-Old Mares & Gelding and Stallions qualifying classes and will crown the first Owner-Amateur Five-Year-Old World Grand Champion. The class, promoted by TWHNC all year with medallions to winners at all shows, has been very popular and well-received by exhibitors throughout the show season.
“The popularity of this new division has exceeded all expectations. It has consistently been one of the largest classes at one-night and multi-day shows. The battle for this inaugural World Grand Championship will be one of the most competitive divisions at this year’s event,” said Celebration CEO Mike Inman.
The Trail Pleasure division has gained in popularity over the last several years at The Celebration and continues to be one of the most highly-entered divisions at The Celebration. The Four Years and Under Trail Pleasure, Optional Tack World Grand Championship will join the Youth, Novice and Western Trail Pleasure World Grand Championships held last year.
“This new World Grand Championship will be a great addition to the last Saturday night lineup. We at the Celebration want to continue to adjust our lineup to fit the trends, popularity and growth within our divisions. The number of quality horses now in this category certainly warrants this new World Grand Championship,” concluded Inman.
In addition to the new World Grand Champion class, the Trail Pleasure division will also add an Elite Riders (50 years of age and older) On Trail Pleasure Horses, Optional Tack. The new class, inclusive of many of the most elaborate riding attire in the ring has already been nicknamed “Bling In The Ring.”