by Sarah Smith
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – Thursday morning, August 25, 2016 brought the 78th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration back to the Calsonic Arena. Announcer Dallas Eubanks welcomed everyone promptly at 9 a.m. Taking their places in center ring to perform the judging duties were Chris Bobo, Nathan Clark, Ray Gilmer, Sam Sorrell and Leigh Stuart. Organist Brian Peery kept things lively. Official Photographer Shane Shiflet was sure to catch all the priceless moments with his camera.
Ritz Entourage and Beverly Lamp picked up a three-peat in the Model Pleasure Walking Stallions, Riders’ Cup Class unanimously for Keith and Lorraine Rosbury. Ritz Entourage was victorious at the National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show and the Money Tree Classic before adding this world title to his lengthy resume. Braddock and Justus Carter picked up the red streamer for Dr. Linda Jones. Braddock earned eight wins earlier in the season. Closing out the top three was Throw Me A Curve and Robert Nelms for Rushing Creek Walkers.
Next to the ring was a talent packed group of Owner-Amateur Riders on Three-Year-Old Western Trail Pleasure Walking Horses. Making the victory pass was Slingblade and Debbie Marbry for she and Chester Marbry. This win came just hours after the duo topped the competition at the TWHBEA National Futurity. Reserve World Championship honors went to the new team of Jose’s Grand Muchacha and Allison Thorson. Lisa Teel rode A Rain Delay to the third award for the Teel and Gleghorn ownership.
The Model Pleasure Walking Geldings, Riders’ Cup took the track to wow the judges. It was Loose In The Outfield and Robert Nelms who made the World Championship performance for Rushing Creek Walkers. Loose In The Outfield won the same class at the 2015 Celebration. The Texas Lexus, a classic horse, and Jamey Thompson picked up the red streamer for Rebecca Emerick. Karen Harnden led Loose At Midnight to the third tie for Doris Penick.
Nine entries answered the gate call for the Owner-Amateur Riders on Trail Pleasure Walking Horses, Optional Tack. Riding from the line up to claim their title as World Champions was Confederate Jazz and Shelby Sims for Dale Steinmetz. Lisa Weaver was all smiles as she picked her reserve award aboard Wicked William. Third in the class went to Mr. Deeds and Kyndra Myers for Harold Roberts.
Owner-Amateur Riders on Lite-Shod Walking Horses, Optional Tack. Emerging with a unanimous vote from the five judges was Roscoe Jenkins and Susan Coleman. This win makes the third world championship for the duo. Reserve was Flash Of Fortune and Jacob Duke for Jeff Duke. Flash Of Fortune picked up earlier season wins at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and the Mid-South Charity. My Black Cadillac and Allison Thorson earned the yellow award.
No strangers to the winners’ circle, it was the multi-titled team of Hello I’m Johnny Cash and Sherri Pollack taking the pass down victory lane with a unanimous choice of the judging panel in the Owner-Amateur Riders on Classic Park Pleasure Walking Horses. Margo Urad directed High Headed Lady to the reserve world title for Urad and Blakely. Third in the class went to Gen’s Star Of Danger and Tony Brewer.
Owner-Amateur Riders on Lite-Shod Walking Horses, Four Years and Under, Optional Tack were next in Calsonic Arena. Celebrating the title of World Champions was Little Toy Gunn and Kailin Kesselring for Christmas Creek Farm. Little Toy Gunn carried Joe Lester and Kailin Kesselring to five wins before coming to the Celebration. Reserve went to World Champion Moonshine At Midnight and owner Harold Roberts. Moonshine At Midnight carried trainer Patrick Thomas to the winners’ circle on Wednesday morning. I’m Majestic and Karen Baum carried the third award home.
Riding right out of the Novice Division with a unanimous choice of the judging panel was Top Recruit and Darlene Harris in the Owner-Amateur Novice Riders on Novice Park Pleasure Walking Horses, Optional Tack. Bill and Darlene Harris own the newly crowned World Champion. Top Recruit made victory passes at Walking For Cancer, FAST Spring Showcase, Spring Fun Show, Petersburg, Columbia Spring Jubilee, Cornersville Lions Club and Pulaski before making his winning performance at the Celebration. Taking home the reserve world championship was Grits In Dixie and Darrin Sisk. This was the second show ring appearance for Grits In Dixie. Third place honors went to Parole Watch and Gary Gilmore.
The A division of the Owner-Amateur Novice Riders on Novice Country Pleasure Walking Horses, Optional tack were next on the schedule with thirteen entries vying for World Championship acclaim. Becoming a novice no more was Look It Up and Beverly Lamp for Johnny and Susan Paul. Look It Up won earlier in the season at the Smith County Horse Show. Second place honors went to Let’s Get Rowdy and Lorri Gordon. Let’s Get Rowdy is sired by Rowdy Rev and is out of a Pushover’s Powerstroke mare. Rounding out the top three was Mister JFK and Linda Sisk for Darrin and Linda Sisk.
Eleven entries took the track to work for World Championship acclaim in the B Division of the Owner-Amateur Novice Riders on Novice Country Pleasure Walking Horses, Optional Tack. Leaving the ring no longer a novice was She’s Pushin’ In Line and Harold Roberts. She’s Pushin' In picked up previous 2016 wins at the Marshall County Horseman’s Association and the International. She’s Tennessee Whisky and Carly Houston rode their way to the reserve award for Jamie Noe and Carly Houston. Kasie Caldwell directed Queen Of Mardi Gras to the third award for Dr. Carl Dieter.
Owner-Amateur Riders on Trail Pleasure Walking Horses, Five and Over, Optional Tack closed out the second morning performance of the 78th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Nine top entries took the track in hopes of becoming World Champions. Making their way down victory lane was Confederate Jazz and Shelby Sims for Sale Steinmetz. This was the second World Championship for the team on Thursday Morning. Reserve was Magellan and Miles Irby for Alex Johnson. A Black Mamba and LaMar Depoyster were third for she and Dr. Gordon Depoyster.
Competition will continue at 7 P.M. tonight in the Celebration oval.