There was a whole lotta walking and shaking going on in the Plantation Pleasure Walking Horses, Three-Years-Old, Lite Shod, Specialty. Martin called for a workout after a few rounds. The competitive group included many horses who had winning records this season; some had already received Celebration ribbons. The class was narrowed to 14 of the best and they were off.
Wendy Shaw pushed all the way to the winners circle on Push N For Pleasure. Bill Marzinzak owns this entry. Shaw and Marzinzak have racked up the ribbons this year. Local entry Emily Stinson and Majestic Colors put on a good show for reserve. Stinson showed for the Ted Lewis family of Shelbyville. Marks Bustin Loose and Jamey Thompson were marked for third place and collected their yellow ribbon.
The youth riders took the stage again as Owner-Amateur Youth Riders on Ponies 60” and Under, Specialty, Riders 15-17 Years began. The Billy Boyd Memorial Challenge trophy, the David Bledsoe, Sr. Memorial Challenge trophy, and the Master Plan Challenge trophy were presented to the winner as well as other awards. Pushing past the competition was Pushover’s Citation and Miles Irby for Irby and Corlew. Citations abounded for this team. They won Fayetteville, Money Tree Classic, Children’s Classic and the Alabama Ladies Auxiliary show. Olympic Power took the red ribbon back to California with Stephanie Gordon aboard. With their designs on third place, Silver Design and Thad Hayes wore that yellow ribbon as they exited the ring.
Twenty-two leg-waving horses entered for the Show Pleasure Walking Horses, Specialty, Division A. First time visitors to the Celebration may notice that this division wears built-up shoes but no tail set. The horses have more action but still maintain a smooth ride. Carpenter called the good class. The professional trainers turned up the pace and drove their horses on.
Coinmaker and Knox Blackburn took the honors. Coinmaker made this blue his third blue ribbon so far. World champion and world grand champion last year in this division, Coinmaker took one more step toward further world grand championship acclaim. Cashing in on second place was Fashioned By Cash and Bill Bobo. Tullahoma resident Judy McDonald owns the entry. Slippin Around And Scored slipped another red ribbon in the trophy case for Jim and Sheron Richmond of Crockett, Texas. Don Crum was in the irons.
Division B of class 74 had the crowd cheering as 23 of 30 listed entered the ring. Mirroring Division A, the class had many champions and competition was hot. There was some good head-shaking and leg waving going on. It was Andrew Johnson and John Allan Callaway giving a presidential showing for the blue. Callaway and Andrew Johnson previously won Belfast, the Money Tree Classic, and the Trainer’s Show. Ray Gilmer and The Great Escape didn’t let the reserve title escape them for new owner Paula Sanders. The Great Escape was last year’s reserve world grand champion. He added wins at White Oak, Germantown, Fred T. Fowler, and Dickson to name only a few. David Landrum and High Profile Generator claimed the third tie after a good ride.
The competition was stiff on Sunday night and the over 50 riders showed the crowd that they could still hang tough. Park Pleasure Walking Horses, Specialty, Amateur Riders 50 Years and Over was underway. Sixteen of 28 horses and riders walked through the entry gate ready to compete. As the class lined up, one entry asked for and received permission to leave. Senor Generator and Stuart Gibbs captured the blue for their first Celebration win. But they have claimed other blues at Murfreesboro Kiwanis, Gallatin, the Money Tree, Trainer’s Show and the Fun Show. Sandra Johnson directed her mount, WHAM, to reserve with a strong performance. Magic Illusionist and Californian, Cheryl Reidy, carried away the third place tie.
Class 76, Walking Mares, 15.2 and Under received seven of 13 entries at Martin’s call. The class was small but mighty. The 15.2 mares proved that you don’t have to be big to walk big! The horses performed the beautiful rocking chair canter and finished with a rousing running walk.
The stands steadily filled as the much anticipated four-year-old and aged mare class approached. But first, it was time for crown Gen’s Sundance Lady to receive her honors for first place. Larry Edwards rode the entry. Celebration goers remember her world grand championship win in the Youth 12-17 division in 1999. She came back in 2000 to claim two ribbons, one a blue in the Trainers Auxiliary class. Sundance Lady is owned by the Dan McSwain family of Atlanta, Ga. Pusher’s Delightful Star and Greg Bryant carried that red ribbon back to California for Shiloh Walkers. Multi world champion, Immortal Generator and Tim Gray generated some excitement with their yellow ribbon.