First Night Sees Green And Breedlove Retire Challenge Trophies

by Mark Davis

    Any true Celebration diehard gets a rush the first time they walk in the
big arena each year.  All the history that has been made here.  All of the
people who have enjoyed our great breed's grandeur here.  It almost seems a
privilege to have the opportunity to be back each year.
    Of course, the 67th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration
actually began on Wednesday Morning in Calsonic Arena and continued on
Thursday Morning, but to most the show doesn't really get under way until
the sessions in the big oval begin.
    As always, the evening got its start promptly at 7 pm with the
presentation of the colors by The Celebration's official flag horse,
Counterfeit Dollar and legendary trainer Bud Seaton.  The invocation was
given by the Rev. Ron DeWitt, pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene,
Shelbyville, Tenn. and a stirring rendition of the National Anthem was sung
by Pamela Hanes of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.
    With that complete, it was time to get the show underway!  As tradition
holds, the first class on Thursday evening is always the Owner-Amateur Youth
Riders 6-11 Years on Walking Mares and that still holds true as 16 of the 20
expected made the call to work for World Championship acclaim.  Judge Sam
Sorrell served as call judge in the division.
    When the work was complete, announcer Chip Walters called the team of
Pusher's Special Design and owner/exhibitor Rachel Hyneman of Germantown,
Tenn. to the winner's circle to accept the first win of the evening.  Of
course, this is not Special's first trip out of the big oval with a
Celebration blue.  She carried Kathryn Ramsbottom to back to back Youth
12-17 World Grand Championships in 2003 and 2004  under the ownership of the
Bob Ramsbottom family prior to being selected by the Hyneman's.
    This Celebration win was preceded with Rachel and Special picking up
wins at Shelbyville, Tenn.'s Liberty Lions Club Horse Show and Tony Rice
Horse Show.  Reserve honors in the division went the very popular team of
Collector's Mindy and owner/exhibitor Amy Ann McCormick of Shelbyville,
Tenn.  2004 Youth 11 and Under World Grand Champions Sunrise Que Sera Sera
and Christina Butler accepted the yellow streamer for Glen & Virgie
Crutchfield of Memphis, Tenn.
    The trainers took their first turn around the big oval for 2005 next as
the A division of class 24, Three-Year-Old Geldings hit the track with 22 of
the 27 programmed entries making the gate call to work as Judge Rollie Beard
called the gaits in the division.  Making the victory pass in the division
was the team of The High Dollar and Larry Edwards riding for The Lowell
White Family of Eatonton, Ga.   The duo preceded the win with victories at
Carrollton, Ga.'s Oak Mountain Classic, Edison, Ga.'s Billie Lane Horse Show
and Monroe, Ga.'s Walton County Horse Show.  Proving they were ready for the
"big show", Jimmy McConnell and Big Show captured the red streamer for
Tanner Farms of Union City, Tenn.  Lone Commander and Bill Callaway rode to
third for Lucy Blackmon of Rayle, Ga.
    Twenty-one of the 25 signed in hit the track in class 24B,
Three-Year-Old Geldings.  Judge Steve Brown led the panel in the event.
Soon the cards were tied and it would be a secret no more, it was A Public
Affair and Sammy Day capturing the win in the division for the Keith Baker
family of Columbia, Tenn.  Continuing their rise, The Rising Dollar and Joel
Weaver accepted the second place honors for Rising Star Ranch of
Shelbyville,Tenn.  Dollar's Electroglide and Knox Blackburn picked up the
yellow streamer for Jim and Judy McCaslin of Pulaski, Tenn.
    Up next, the Amateur riders got their turn in the spotlight in class
25A, Owner-Amateur Riders on Two-Year-Old Walking Stallions.  Twenty-nine of
the 40 programmed entries made the call to work for the chance to make that
sentimental journey down victory lane at The Celebration.  However, only one
team would have that chance and that team was I'm P. Diddy and Sherri
Pollack in the irons for Robert Pollack of Saratoga, Calif.  Another
California duo, Bada Bing and owner/exhibitor Sue Brassy proudly accepted
the reserve honors taking them home to Chino Hills, Calif.  Reigning
Tazewell, Va. champion My Air Force One and Courtney Luttrell rode to third
for Delores Griffith and Beverly Spangler of Paris and Bowling Green, Ky.
    Class 25B brought another group of talented Two-Year-Old Stallions and
their amateur riders to the big oval to work for Celebration acclaim.
Twenty-seven of the 40 expected made the call to work as Judge Mike Sims led
the panel.
    This class turned out to be the "sister act".  Sherri Pollack had just
picked up the win in the A division and sister Patti Pollack could not be
outdone in the B division.  She and He's Extra Ordinary were just that as
they walked to the winner's circle in the same style that had picked them up
wins earlier in the year at Shelbyville, Tenn.'s National Trainers' Show,
Harrodsburg, Ky.'s Derby Day Classic and Woodbury, Tenn.'s Lions Club Horse
Show for Pollack's Silver Spur Ranch of Saratoga, Calif. and Shelbyville,
Tenn.  Nancy Groover and Lone Star Tex put on a strong performance to pick
up the red streamer in the division for Groover, Groover and Womack of
Longview, Texas and Murfreesboro, Tenn.  Jazz Of Midnight and
owner/exhibitor Linda Brown of Bell Buckle, Tenn. rode to the third award in
the division.
    The trainers were back in class 26A, Three-Year-Old Mares as 24 of 40
entered made the gate call to work for Call Judge Sam Sorrell and his
cohorts.  Nathan Clark and Nashville Skyline suffered a little misfortune in
the division with a cast shoe, but once again, thanks to the talents of The
Celebration's official farrier, Louie Staton, the team was able to complete
competition. When the work was compete, announcer Chip Walters called the
team of Jimmy McConnell and Hey Hey Ole' and Jimmy McConnell to the winner's
circle for Bob & Mary Medina of Skillman, N.J.
    This outstanding young mare picked up her first World title at the 2004
Celebration in the Owner/Amateur ranks with Bob Medina in the irons and
preceded this win in 2005 with wins at the National Trainers' Show, Jackson,
Miss.'s Mississippi State Charity Horse Show, Panama City, Fla.'s Gulf Coast
Charity Horse Show, Memphis, Tenn.'s Germantown Charity Horse Show and
Woodbury, Tenn.'s Lions Club Horse Show.  Ms. Bernadette and John Allan
Callaway rode to the reserve title for Beverly Wood of Bell Buckle, Tenn.
Lacy & Julia West's entry, Back Into Cash, presented by Knox Blackburn, took
the yellow streamer back to Kingsport, Tenn.
    The B division of the Three-Year-Old Mares brought 25 of the 37 expected
to the track to work as Judge Rollie Beard called the gaits in the division.
With a dominating performance, Dick Peebles and Major Ms. Push made the
journey down victory lane for Wayne & Joyce Meadows of Ashland City, Tenn.
This marked the big walking mare's second World title as she topped her
Two-Year-Old Mare division in 2004.  She also picked up 2005 wins at
Lawrenceburg, Tenn.'s Crossroads Of Dixie Horse Show, Arab, Ala. and
Lewisburg, Tenn.'s Marshall County Horse Show. 2005 TWHBEA National Futurity
Champion Sweepaway and Joe Cotten picked up the red streamer for Dr. and
Mrs. Rafael Rigual of Oklahoma City, Okla. and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Jose's Lucky Angel and Mike McCormick accepted third for Fred Swann of
Auburn, Ala.
    The Celebration always tries to go out of their way in being receptive
to requests from exhibitors for new classes and divisions.  A new addition
for 2005 was the Park Performance division.   Three classes were added, with
two of the three requiring splits due to the large number of entries.
    Class 27A brought 22 of the 24 programmed entries to the track to work
in the Owner-Amateur Riders on Park Performance Walking Mares or Geldings.
Judge Steve Brown served as call judge in the event.  Picking up the first
ever Park Performance blue at the Celebration was All American Ritz and
owner/exhibitor Cynthia Wright of Jackson, Tenn.  All American Ritz captured
2005 wins at Byhalia, Miss.'s White Oak Classic, The Celebration's Spring
Fun Show, Woodbury, Tenn.'s Lions Club Horse Show, Jackson, Tenn.'s Mid
South Horse Show, Corinth, Miss.'s Magnolia Classic and Parker's Crossroads,
Tenn.  Jubilee's Jessie James and Denise Bader rode to a close reserve for
Main Man Group of Nashville, Tenn.  Spirit's Gem and Dwight Ottman took the
yellow streamer for Dwight and Elizabeth Ottman of Owensboro, Ky.
    The B division of the Owner-Amateur Riders on Park Performance Walking
Mares or Geldings brought 18 of the expected 22 to work for World
Championship acclaim in the division.  When the work was complete, it was
the team of The Last Of My Cash and Marty Irby riding down victory lane for
Irby Stables of Mobile, Ala. and Shelbyville, Tenn.  Lucky Silver Dollar and
Mike Erickson rode to the second award for Mike and Pam Erickson of
Modjeska, Calif.  Carrie Benedict and The Broken Sky accepted third for
Hutcherson, Frasier & Adams of Glasgow, Ky. and Goldsboro, N.C.
     Back in the performance division, class 28 called for the Owner-Amateur
Riders on Walking Stallions, 15.2 and Under.  Fifteen of the 32 entered made
the gate call to work for Judge Mike Sims and staff.  Each year, there are
Celebration memories that will never be forgotten.  In 2004, one of those
memories was seeing longtime trainer Paul "Whitey" Whitehead run down the
track as daughter Candy Whitehead Green made her victory pass as
Owner/Amateur 15.2 and Under World Grand Champion with Gossip.  Those
memories are in the making once again in 2005 as Gossip and Candy made an
outstanding performance to top the tough division once again for proud dad,
Whitey Whitehead of Mt. Orab, Ohio. This win retired The Mariilyn Horenbein
Memorial Challenge Trophy.  The Texas Lotto and Nancy Groover hit the
jackpot  to carry out the red streamer, Nancy's second of the evening, for
Wink & Nancy Groover of Longview, Texas.  The Phantom Menace and Thom Meek
accepted third for Deerwood Manor of Brentwood, Tenn.
    Class 29 brought 26 of the 45 programmed entries to the ring for the
Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Walking Geldings.  Judge Sam Sorrell called the
gaits in the division.  When the work was complete, it was Cheatin' Danger
and Trish Harrison making the victory pass for Trish Harrison and Four
Centuries Farm of Nashville and Greenville, Tenn.  Tonight's win was
preceded with wins at Columbia, Tenn.'s Moneytree Classic and Shelbyville,
Tenn.'s Tony Rice Horse Show.  Another David Landrum Stables entry, Pushin'
That Jazz and Laura Brandon, enjoyed their reserve ride for Wallace and
Laura Brandon of Franklin, Tenn.  An American Outlaw and Brenda Carlon
picked up the third award for Dr. Harv Carlon of Lowell, Mi.
    The hour may have been starting to get late, but the horse show action
was still very strong as class 30A, Owner-Amateur Riders on Four-Year-Old
Walking Stallions hit the track with 22 of the 34 expected making the call
to work for Judge Rollie Beard and his staff.  Kay Green has had the
opportunity to ride some greats in her time in the walking horse industry
including WGC Pride's Sundance Star and WC Ted Williams, but her latest
mount, More Of The Major, may just be the best yet.  After putting on a
thrilling performance at Lewisburg, Tenn.'s Marshall County Horse Show, Kay
and More Of The Major were at their very best again to top the division for
Dr. Jim and Kay Green of Meridian, Miss.  Jazzed Up and Brenda Bramlett were
just that as they rode to the red streamer for Bramlett & Wilson of
Shelbyville, Tenn.  Master Of Jazz and owner/exhibitor Lee Wall of Jackson,
Miss. rode to third in the event.
    The A division was outstanding, but the B division just might have been
even better as 28 of the 34 expected made the call to work for Judge Steve
Brown and his cohorts.  And, when the work was complete it was the 2004 WGC
Three-Year-Old Amateur team of JFK's Monopoly and Bill Johnson riding away
with the blue after a phenomenal performance for William B. & Sandra Johnson
of Atlanta, Ga. and Shelbyville, Tenn.  On the road leading up to The
Celebration, Bill and Monopoly picked up wins at Panama City, Fla.'s Gulf
Coast Charity Celebration, Woodbury, Tenn.'s Lions Club Horse Show and
Belfast, Tenn.'s Lions Club Horse Show.  Reserve honors in the division went
to the reigning Pulaski, Tenn. Red Carpet Horse Show Of The South Champion,
The Sky Command and Julie Grider for the Tommy Grider family of Columbia,
Ky.  Escalade and Wilsene Moody carried home the yellow streamer for Opal
Moody of Batesville, Ark.
    The industry's trainers were back on the track for class 31, Walking
Geldings, 15.2 and Under (Canter).  Eighteen of the 30 entries in the
program made the call as Judge Mack Motes served as the call judge in the
division.  Jimmy McConnell and the Formac team were starting off the 2005
Celebration on a winning note by picking up their second win of the night in
the division with He's Dr. Cash, the 2004 World Champion Four-Year-Old
Gelding, for Larry & Farrah McAlexander of Oxford, Miss.  McConnell and He's
Dr. Cash picked up 2005 wins at Memphis, Tenn.'s Germantown Charity Horse
Show and Brownsville, Tenn.'s Exchange Club Horse Show prior to their trip
to Shelbyville.  Don Rafa and Joe Cotten picked up the reserve for Dr. and
Mrs. Rafael Rigual of Oklahoma City, Okla. and San Juan, Puerto Rico.  This
marked the second reserve of the night for the Cotten/Rigual team.
Tennessee Gin and John Allan Callaway accepted the third award for Michael
Hart of Corbin, Ky.
    The Amateur Lady riders were back on the track for class 32A,
Owner/Amateur Lady Riders on Show Pleasure Walking Horses.  Fifteen of the
23 scheduled made the call to work for that Celebration memory as Judge Mike
Sims called the gaits.  Linda Brown and The Sky Patrol put on a
stellar performance to top the division and take the honors back to Bell
Buckle, Tenn.  I'm Armed & Lethal and Lee Wall received a cheer from the
crowd as they exited the lineup to accept the reserve honors for Dr. & Mrs.
Rosser Wall of Raymond, Miss.  Music In The Sky and Jordan Eldridge picked
up the third award for John Eldridge and WhitLei Green of Chattanooga &
Shelbyville, Tenn.
    Eighteen of 23  hit the track in class 32B, Owner/Amateur Lady Riders on
Show Pleasure Walking Horses as Judge Sam Sorrell served as call judge.
When the work was complete, it was a familiar face at the top of the
division, reigning WGC Coinmaker and Suzanne Littell. Bud Moore and Suzanne
Littell of Catherine, Ala. proudly own the entry. By the way, they topped
the division with a unanimous decision of the judging panel.  Coin's Black
Stroke and Ashley Compton were a popular reserve for Ashley Compton of
Murfreesboro, Tenn.  Taking the yellow streamer back to the Pacific
Northwest, Rubberband Man and owner/exhibitor Van Barnes of Sandy, Ore.
received third in the class.
    As Thursday night turned to Friday morning, the final class of the
evening, class 33, Elite Owner-Amateur Gentleman Riders on Walking Stallions
hit the track as Judge Rollie Beard called the gaits.  Topping the division
for the second consecutive year was the outstanding team of Jazz King and Ed
Breedlove.  The tough duo captured the title with a unanimous decision of
the panel retiring the Dr. J. Dan Bateman Memorial Challenge Trophy for
Keith Breedlove of Buford, Ga.  Making their normal BOLD performance, Push
Me Bold and Donald Stephens picked up the reserve honors for Donald and
Gladys Stephens of Shelbyville, Tenn.  Walking All Over and Bob Medina
accepted the yellow streamer for Bob & Mary Medina of Skillman, N.J.
    As Jazz King and Ed Breedlove made their victory pass, the clock showed
12:15 a.m. and the first evening performance of the 67th Annual Tennessee
Walking Horse National Celebration was in the record books.
    Friday evening's performance promises to be just as exciting with the
Three-Year-Old Walking Stallion preliminary highlighting the schedule and
don't forget we'll get our first glimpse at the Aged Stallions on Saturday
evening. 
    The excitement is building in Shelbyville.  Don't miss out!