Martin stepped up as call judge in the Amateur Owned and Trained Plantation Pleasure Walking Horses, Lite Shod, Specialty. Twenty-three of 24 entries walked
through the gate as the class got underway. The crowd was enthusiastic as they performed their two gaits. Specialty classes perform the Flat Walk and Running Walk as they make their pass before the judges. One
entry asked for and received permission to be excused. After a tenth place tie last year, Armed With Beauty succeeded in walking away with a Celebration blue. An excited Terry Vaught rode for Terry and Linda Vaught
of Watertown, Tenn. The second place tie was Generator's Red Sun, ridden by Steve Richardson. Reason To Glitter, last year's reserve champion in this class, was ridden to third by Erma Kelly for Jack and Erma Kelly of Eldon, Mo.
Fourteen of the expected 25 horses entered for the Park Pleasure Walking Horses, Specialty, Riders 18 Years and Over class came through the gate. Tuck assumed the role of call judge. Always a very competitive class with numerous former world champions in contention, the class was underway with the crowd participating in the judging. The excitement of the horses and the crowds input for the final decision is
one of the things that draws fans to the show year after year.
For those who may not know, the Celebration changed the designation of Plantation Pleasure to Park Pleasure this show season. Bands on the shoes of the Park Pleasure entries make the distinction between the two divisions. Multi world champion Generator's Evil Lady got the judges nod as Howard Hamilton directed
the winning entry for Charles Lowe of Paris, Tenn. Another multi world champion, The Buzz made a bee line for reserve honors in this hard fought and deep class. Mike Civils presented the high stepping entry. Third
went to Go Boy's Dark Spirit with Jeff Green making the spirited ride.
The next class, Amateur Owned and Trained Park Pleasure, Walking Horses, Specialty, No Professional Training within 90 Days entered the ring with Carpenter reviewing the 14 of 17 who came through the gate. As with the previous classes, many are competing
for repeat recognition as a Celebration winner. When the class was called in to be tied, one entry was excused. Cash Storm repeated a win in this class for the third year in a row. Wayne Westbrook, no stranger
to Celebration wins, was in the irons. Moving up this year from a fourth place tie to claim reserve was the classic horse and multi world champion Royal's Good Times with owner Kathy Jamieson up. Third place was
The Big Horizon, ridden by Terry Vaught.
Class eight, Amateur Western Trail Pleasure,
Specialty, Riders 18 Years and Over, Division A was called. The well-filled class had a workout with seven numbers originally called. Twenty-eight of 36 entries now anticipated the judges' selection. As the numbers were called in and the remainder of the class took the rail, the judges selected six additional numbers. Thirteen entries now took to the track. A Style File, ridden by Darwin James of Broken Arrow, Okla., put
away the blue for this group of good entries. Marilyn Friedman provided an olympic effort as she and Olympic Angel claimed reserve. Pay At The Pump, winner of this class in 2000, cashed in on a third place tie.
The announcer called for Division B of class eight and 25 of the 33 entries walked for the blue. Tuck had the task of calling this large class. A workout was announced as the judges reviewed the entries and called seven numbers to park in. Taking the rail again, five more numbers made the cut. Charles Howard and To Die For! had the pleasure of winning the class. A three time world champion and last year's High Point Trail Pleasure Champion, they're on track for
further success. A delighted Carolyn Logue on Allen All Around was reserve for owner Rose Belcher of Ocala, Fla. The third place tie was none other than Regal Rebel, winner this year of the Pin Oak and Big D shows in Texas.
With only three classes to go, Western Plantation Pleasure Walking Horses, Lite Shod entered the ring. Call judge Hand received 13 of the 19 entries listed. This class performed the rolling canter that the
Tennessee Walking horse is known for. As the horses and riders glided past the judges, the crowd was very vocal in their support of this class. Rising to the occasion and taking it up a notch was Genius's Dixie Chick, owned by Sheila Mack-Kyle of Los Angeles,
Calif. Rider Trish Wooten proved that ladies ruled this class for owner. Jasmin Magic, winner of last year's class, took the second place tie. Leigh Bennett made the fine ride for Ownensboro, Ky. owners, Dwight and Elizabeth Ottman. Fashion's Covergirl and Laurie Toone finished the ladies sweep. Pat Carpinito-Stout is the proud owner.
Returning to the novice riders in class 10, Novice Park Pleasure Walking Mares, Specialty, Amateur Novice Riders. All of the horses and riders in this class have not won a Celebration blue. Tuck called the class
as 13 anxious entries of an expected 23 answered the gate call. They lined before one team of horse and rider departed from their novice status. One entry was excused out of the line up. Joanna Stewart and A Gen
Rummy rose out of the novice ranks to receive their first Celebration blue. The reserve tie went to Doc's Lady in Red and Barbara Keenahan. Third tie and yellow
ribbon was awarded to Touch's Midnight Star and Joan Seaton, who were reserve champions at the International.
The track was smoothed out before the final class, Plantation Pleasure Driving, Lite Shod, Two or Four Wheeel Vehicle. Spectators took this opportunity to stretch their legs and grab a cold drink.
Many entries were tied well in this class last year returned. As the horses entered the ring, Carpenter put them through their paces. Eight of ten entries were driving smoothly toward the blue. Upon entering the ring a groom was called for one entry. The class
quickly resumed with everyone at a flat walk. Laura Brandon drove Silver Sundance Lady, a constant winner throughout the 2001 season, to championship honors. Repeating their reserve tie for the second year was
Regal's Lady of Royalty and Benny Johnson. Multi world champion Starstruck By JFK and Willlie Cook, Jr. brought up third place.
The Celebration continues Thursday morning with plantation classes featured.