SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – It was a beautiful day in Shelbyville and the Celebration grounds were buzzing with horses, exhibitors and youth participating in the judging contest. It was another hot day in August and the competition in Calsonic was just as hot. Judging the 76th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is Rollie Beard, Jennifer Bingham, David Landrum, Paul Robbins and David Sisk.

Beginning the fourth morning session of the show was the Owner-Amateur Yearlings class. Getting all five votes from the judges was Hey Pretty Girl and Kelly Richards for Bobby Jones, Roger Richards and Luke Baum. This was a unanimous victory for the filly that claimed a win at the TWHBEA National Futurity earlier in the week. Hey Pretty Girl has amassed 15 blues this season including three at the International Colt and Pleasure Show. Reserve in the class went to Miss San Diego and Jaron Dotson for the Dotson Brothers. This title was the seventh outing for the youngster who is sired by Don Diego. Third went to The Amazing Spiderman and Amanda Nelms for Amanda Nelms and Holly Sanders. This duo had a previous win at the Woodbury Lions Club show.



Next on the schedule was the Auxiliary Equitation, Medal Class, Youth Division Riders 6-11 Years. Winning her second World Championship in a 12-hour span was Addie Harris. Reserve went to the 2013 champion in the class, Jayden Jackson. Rounding out the top three was Brooklyn Wheelon.



Returning to the winner’s circle with yet another unanimous victory was Hey Pretty Girl with Chris Richards at the lead for the Jones, Richards & Baum partnership. Chick On Parole and Marty Warren led to the reserve award for Denise Smith. This team had a win at Parker’s Crossroads earlier in the season. Third went to MCF Rosa Cantina and Beverly Lamp for Keith and Lorraine Rosbury. MCF Rosa Cantina had previous wins at the Sumner County Fair, Woodbury Lions Club and Wartrace shows.

Owner-Amateur Riders 6-17 Years on Western Country Pleasure Walking Horses took the track next and emerging from the large lineup was Bustline and Claire Hankins for Linda Vaughn and Claire Hankins. This win was another unanimous tie from the judges. Bustline, now a seven-time world champion, remains undefeated this season with four other victories prior to the Celebration. I’m AK-47 added a reserve title to his lengthy resume with Ashley Grey riding. This talented gelding claimed the Owner-Amateur Four & Under Country Pleasure World Championship earlier this week. Cowboy On Parole and Jesse O’Dell rounded out the top three for Dr. Jack Kwok.



Following his National Futurity win on Wednesday night, I Am G.Q. walked his way to the Yearling Colts World Championship unanimously. I Am G.Q. is owned by Lisa Baum, is sired by Jose’ Jose’ and remains undefeated this season. Walking to the red award was Sweepaway Diego and Beverly Lamp for Keith and Lorraine Rosbury. Sired by Don Diego, Sweepaway Diego has hit the show ring nine times in 2014. Marty Warren and Miracle Shot grabbed the third award for Denise Smith in their fourth show ring appearance of the year.
 Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 12-17 Years on Western Trail Pleasure Walking Horses brought yet another unanimous tie from the judging panel. Making their way to the winner’s circle was Honey Badger and Lily Catherine Holland. This win can be added to the trophy case with the teams wins from the Gulf Coast Charity, Columbia Spring Jubilee and Marshall County Horseman’s Association shows earlier this year. Honey Badger took the Celebration by storm last year claiming three World Championships and two World Grand Championships. Walking away with the reserve honor was 2013 World Champions I’m King Bee and WhitLei Green for Wayne and Joe Hanson and Whitlei Green. I’m King Bee has six wins to his credit this year including wins at the National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic. Jada Cassidy directed Dark Picture Show to the yellow ribbon from Lloyd Cassidy.



Earning her second World Championship of the show was Suiza with owner and rider, Allison Thorson aboard in the Amateur Owned & Trained English Trail Pleasure Walking Horses, No Professional Training Within 90 Days. This team also topped the Amateur Owned & Trained Western Trail Pleasure class on Friday morning. Reserve went to Jose’s Firecracker and Wayne Westbrook, adding another reserve world title to their resume at the 2014 Celebration. I’m Hank Williams and Jessica Bailey rounded out the top three.

Next to the ring was the Auxiliary Equitation, Medal Class, Youth Division, Riders 12-14 Years, Canter. Claire Hankins was the unanimous choice of the judging panel, earning her second world championship of the day and third of the Celebration. Making her Celebration debut was Alexis Simmons to claim the reserve award.

Following their International win, A Red Ruby and Raine Sims topped the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-11 Years on Trail Pleasure Walking Horses, Optional Tack. This was a unanimous World Championship for the team. Kool Fortune and Harper Grider repeated their reserve World Championship from 2013. In 2014, Kool Fortune has earned a total of 11 blue ribbon victory passes. Contemporary Jazz and Jayden Jackson closed out the top three for the Evans, Grey & Jackson ownership.

 

The final Equitation class of the morning brought two entries to the show ring to vie for the title of Auxiliary Equitation, Medal Class, Riders 15-17 Years World Champion. Kaitlyn Rippy enjoyed the win with unanimous approval of all five judges. Rippy topped the Equitation class at the National Trainers’ Show in March as well. Reserve went to Morgan Murphy who won at the Money Tree Classic in July. The Equitation World Grand Championship for Youth Riders will be held on Monday morning in Calsonic Arena.

Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-17 Years on English Country Pleasure Walking Horses took to the track next. I’m AK-47 and Ashley Grey were back in Calsonic Arena and this time rode to the winner’s circle. The duo won a reserve world title earlier in the morning and this win marks the second for I’m AK-47 at this Celebration. Also back in the ring was the team of Cowboy On Parole and Jesse O’Dell, claiming the reserve honor for Dr. Jack Kwok. This team had 2014 wins at Fayetteville, Cumberland County, Columbia Spring Jubilee, Woodbury Lions Club, Cornersville and Marshall County. On The Loose And Armed and Kayla Baucom rounded out the top three in the large class of 13 entries.

WhitLei Green and 2013 World Champions I’m King Bee topped the class for Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 12-17 Years on English Trail Pleasure Walking Horses. The duo captured a reserve world title earlier in the morning. Reserve went to GiGi’s Majestic and Elysse Bradford. The former World Grand Champion came to the Celebration with 12 wins for the season. Contemporary Jazz and Ashley Grey picked up the yellow streamer.

Closing out the morning session was the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-17 Years on Lite-Shod Walking Horses. Eight entries took their turn around the ring with hopes of capturing a World Championship. With the cards tallied, Simple Lee Dangerous carried Skylar MacLeod to his third win of the week and MacLeod’s first world championship. The first two were with Kara Graham and Chris Helton riding. Rev’s Flashback and Jesse Laughlin took the red ribbon back to the show me state for Joe Laughlin. Walking out with the third place tie was Boston Bay and Jesse O’Dell. Boston Bay was reserve on Wednesday night at the TWHBEA National Futurity.

Morning classes will resume in Calsonic Arena on Monday morning. Sunday, The Celebration Dog Show will take over the Calsonic Arena. Evening classes will be held in the Celebration Oval beginning at 6:30p.m. with Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Walking Geldings. The night will also highlight two aged stallion splits as well as the Yearling World Grand Championship.