By Sadie Fowler

Dee Cantrell was honored, the weathered held out and 13 classes continued the awesome momentum of a great week thus far at the 80th annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. 

The Fine Harness competition kicked off the evening with two splits of this class with Lined Royal Cash and Mike Overcast for CCJK Enterprise breaking a record for the most classes ever won by one horse in this class with Kudos For Cash and Larry Edwards for Toni White cruising in for the reserve ribbon. 

Bingo Time and Bobby Hugh held their prestigious own for Sandy Shumate while Shanghai MCF and Sam McLaughlin picked up the second award in the B division for Lisa Baum.

In the Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares or Geldings, division A, Lisa Baum received a Wednesday night blue on A Sunday Rose while Mr. Rumor Has It and Joanne Davis Morgan put on a good performance for reserve.

During a special break between classes, Dee Cantrell was honored next for her years of service to the industry with a WHTA Auxiliary Award. 

“Her giving heart shows in everything that she does,” said announcer Mark Farrar. “There’s no award that could thank her more appropriately.” 

In the next class, the Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares or Geldings division B, Dr. Brittany Baum was all smiles as she directed Gotcha José down victory lane while classy contenders Eric Lackey and Strike It Blue earned the crowd’s approval for reserve. 

Bobby Hugh and Forty Niner bested the competition in the Five and Over Geldings (Canter) for Rose Anstett while Brain Power and Dick Peebles showed up for reserve for Rising Star Ranch.

In the Walking Weanling World Grand Championship, Rythmic Night and Jackson Latham represented the future of the breed unanimously, after previously winning all year long including Wednesday night in the National Futurity for Bruce and Linda Vaughn. A One A and Robert Nelms cashed in on reserve for Brad Tuttle.

Next up, the Experienced Trainers 36 and Over class featured 16 with the most seasoned trainers of all dancing their way to the winning ticket with I’m Lombardi and Gary Edwards making the winning ride in unanimous fashion for Henry and Peggy Metcalf.

NV US and John Allan Callaway received their own applause from the crowed for reserve for Scott Leonard.
The Trainers’ Auxiliary class, which received praise from announcer Farrar for many things including starting a scholarship program in 1975, featured nine entries but no one could top Taylor Walters and Miss Dixie Carter who were on point as they represented the industry well for the win with Memphis Raines and Amy Trimble walking in for a well-deserved reserve for Brown/Deutsch.

In the Walking Mares and Geldings, 15 showed up strong, including Michael Wright boldly riding Olivia Pope to a blue-ribbon finish while Got Your Back and Gary Edwards pushed them hard for reserve.

The Amateur Owned and Trained (No Training Within 90 Days) class kept the crowd excited with Bronx Bomber and Dalia Smith Harr, for Kenny Smith, offering no disappointment as they emerged from the lineup as champions. I’m Gus McRae and Cindy Bryant settled in for a good reserve ride for Eddie Bryant.

The Young Trainers 35 and Under Mares and Geldings contestants had the stage to themselves next but no one heated it up more than Charlie On Fire and Sam Martin for The Cortner Family. Coming a strong second was Tyler Baucom aboard the Alan Riddley owned entry, Oh My Stars.

The Amateur Stallions Five and Over (Canter) followed in the evening’s agenda with seven showing up. For the third year in a row, Led Zeppelin danced to the tune of the winning beat with Abby Foxx on board while Reservation On Line and Gayle Holcomb gave it their all for reserve.

The final class of the evening kept the good crowd of spectators’ attention as the Walking Stallions made their way into Maverick Arena. Gayle Holcomb rushed back to the ring to cheer on her winning entry Border Run, with John Allan Callaway in the saddle for the ride down victory lane. Carol Lackey cheered on the reserve champions in the evening’s finale. Lackey’s Hey Tomcat and Bill Callaway picked up the red streamer.