SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – Announcer Mark Farrar gave Ronnie Spears and white flag horse White Diamond Dollar an early casting call to start the Friday night session of the 82nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration at Maverick Arena.

To complete as many classes as possible with rain and possible storms threatening for the evening from the remnants of Hurricane Laura the show began at 6:45 instead of the traditional 7 p.m. start.

Organist Brian Perry added some brightness to the gloom with his music. He is filling in for long-time Celebration organist Larry Bright.

The Owner-Amateur Lady Drivers, Fine Harness class was split into two sections due to the wet track with three entries in each section extending the class schedule to 17.

Suzy Johnson drove Janie B Good to first place in Section A for owner Keith Johnson of Shelbyville, Tennessee. This win was added to Keith’s win Wednesday morning adding to the family’s excitement. Kudos For Cash and Toni White were second. Rogue Status was third with Rhonda Clendenon directing for co-owner Rick Clendenon.
I’m Sky King and Jane Stiles flew to the winner’s circle in Section B. The co-owner is Ray Stiles from Kingwood, West Virginia. Tom Collins LTL and Kathy Owen received a red streamer, while Private Line and Kimberly Walden were third.

Steady rain continued through the evening but did not dampen the spirits of fans who braved the weather.
Dollar’s Silver Collector, a “Classic” horse, ridden by Maci Ware unanimously took home the world champion silver among eight entries in the  Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-11 on Walking Geldings for grandfather Tom Ware of Cynthiana, Kentucky. It was the fifth blue in row for the duo. Flying High CC and Khloe McSwain placed reserve for co-owner Sheryl Crawford. A Neon Cowboy shown brightly for Rylee Nichols for owner Glenda Nichols.

A heavy rain greeted the eight entries in the Two-Year-Old Walking Geldings class. In his show debut of 2020, Love, Jose and Casey Wright rode through the rain for the blue for owner Terry Lowman of Shelbyville, Tennessee. Honorable Texan and Derek Bonner were reserve for owner Della Compton. Comasta Laqunta and Link Webb finished third for owner Tim Webb.

Eleven entries made the gate call for Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Horses, Riders 70 Years & Over and were greeted with driving rain. Maroon 5 and Dr. Jim Baum rode to the world championship for Luke Baum of Shelbyville, Tennessee. Maroon 5 also was a world champion in 2018 and 2016. I’m Resurrected and Ray Solley tied second, with The Darkest Hour and Cliff Rivers finishing third.

The Lite-Shod Walking Horses class drew eight entries. Moonshine At Midnight and Patrick Thomas rode to the winner’s circle for Gladney Farms of Homer, Louisiana. Moonshine At Midnight added this to his reserve Thursday morning with Darden Gladney. Laurie Toone and My Black Cadillac rode to second for Allison Thorson, and La Patrona was directed to third by Philip Trimble for owner Dale Steinmetz.

A perfect 10 entries competed in Section A of Three-Year-Old Walking Stallions class. Tua MCF threw a world championship touchdown with Tyler Baucom in the irons for owners Lorraine and Keith Rosbury of Bell Buckle, Tennessee. The pair have won back-to-back blues this season with a top finish at the Wartrace Horse Show. Cochise and Link Webb received a red ribbon for owner Joe Barnes. Say Cash and Keith Blackburn were third for the partnership of Blackburn and Erwin.

The Owner-Amateur Riders on Four-Year-Old Walking Stallions class was the biggest of the night with 15 entries. As I Am and Jason Myatt rode to the world championship for co-owner Jerry Myatt of Shelbyville, Tennessee and Alvaton, Kentucky. It was the fourth blue this season for the undefeated team. Second went to Win Dixie and Gail Walling for the partnership of McDonald and Walling, while Hole In My Pocket and Dr. David Bullock took third.

After some confusion over numbers and class sections, eight entries competed in Section B of the Three-Year-Old Walking Stallions class. Mr. Magnifico lived up to his name as the unanimous selection of the five-judge panel with Herbert Derickson in the stirrups for owner Judy Case of Madison, Alabama. Kong and Charlie Green rode to reserve for the Alan Riddley Family. The yellow ribbon went to Honoring UGA with Gary Edwards showing for Peggy and Henry Metcalf.

The Owner-Amateur Riders on Park Performance Walking Horses, Five Years & Under class started with 10 entries. Eight were presented ribbons led by the world championship performance of Deal With It and Debbie Marbry of Shelbyville, Tennessee. Reserve was presented to Sweepin’ Jose and Lexie Stinnett for co-owner Jimbo Conner. The yellow streamer was given to Jose’s Desperado and Jim Roberts.

Eleven entries capped Section C and the exciting trio of performances in the Three-Year-Old Walking Stallions classes. As the rain stopped, Justified Honors and John Allan Callaway made the victory pass for Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tennessee. The win came as a unanimous decision of the judges for the undefeated team. Del Sol and Hayden Parks rode to reserve for owner Ronnie Logsdon. Playing Poker and Chris Helton were dealt a third-place ribbon for owner Jimbo Conner.

The Walking Mares & Geldings, 15.2 & Under class had five entries enter the big oval. John Allan Callaway was back in the winner’s circle again, this time riding Pappy Van Winkle for owner Bruce Butler of Morehead, Kentucky. It was the fourth blue of an undefeated season for Pappy Van Winkle, coming as a unanimous decision. Punisher and Charlie Green picked up a red ribbon for owner Barbara Smith. Be My Baby and Tim Smith were third for S&P LLC.

Tina Graves of Woodbury, Tennessee and Siege teamed for their first Celebration blue in the Owner-Amateur Novice Lady Riders on Novice Walking Stallions class for owner Joseph King.  Nine entries competed for their first world championship. The Bachelor and Sandy Shumate walked to second. Hero and Debbie Flack were third for Jim Flack. 

Seven entries made the Four-Year-Old Walking Mares & Geldings, Canter class. Jimmy McConnell and Charlie’s Phantom scared up a world championship for owners Mae and Bobby Bills of Cornersville, Tennessee. It was the second blue for the team in 2020. Me And Pocahontas and Tyler Baucom were second for owner Allyson Armstrong. Herbert Derickson was in the saddle with Get The Point for a third-place award for the partnership of Derickson and Sims.

When the gate was closed six entries were in the ring for the Owner-Amateur Riders on English Park Pleasure Walking Horses class. Boston Bay and Jannie Chapman of Owens Crossroads, Alabama, were called to victory lane. In Line At The Ritz and Dr. Ann Rea earned second, while Jose’s No Counting Me Out and John Gladney were third for Gladney Farms. 

She’s Limitless and Molly Walters bested 10 other entries for the Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Walking Mares class for Kelsey Andrews of Rancho Mirage, California. It was a unanimous victory and the sixth world championship for She’s Limitless. Dixie Majorette and Sister Milligan finished with the red streamer. Hey Good Looking and Lisa Baum were third.

The Show Pleasure Walking Mares or Geldings was the finale with 14 horses competing. Walkin’ Chick won the top honor with Mickey McCormick in the irons for Kimberly and Perry Walden of Shelbyville, Tennessee. It was their second blue of the season. He’s Primetime and Clay Sanderson were reserve for Ridgemont Farm. Godiva and Bill Callaway were third for George-Ann and Don Pratt.