SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - One of the most exciting sessions typically held in conjunction with the Celebration is the TWHBEA National Futurity. Here is where the best weanlings, yearlings, two and three-year-old horses go head-to-head in their division to earn the title of National Futurity Champions. Presiding over the 18 classes that make up the Futurity are 2015 Celebration Judges Jennifer Bingham, Derek Bonner, David Landrum, David Sisk and Sam Sorrel. Allison Thorson and Vigor’s Dixie Chick carried the American flag for the opening ceremonies of the evening.

Starting off the evening was the Darrah Weanling class for Futurity nominated weanlings of unique color. There were seven unique weanlings who answered the gate call. Taking home the championship title was Tan Oak’s Royal Gold handled by Robert Nelms for Jack G. Heffington of Shelbyville, Tenn. Earlier this season, this winning team took reserve at the Fayetteville Blue Ribbon show. Claiming reserve was Khemosabi’s Kokopelli for Ginger Williams of Reidsville, N.C. This season Khemosabi’s Kokopelli has taken top honors at such venues as the NSSHA St. Jude’s Benefit, SSHBEA Youth Council Summer Fling and Friends of After School Kids Program held in Woodbury. Third in this highly competitive class was Ms. Iconic Blue for Jamie Noe.

Eight entries entered the ring to vie for Futurity championship honors in the Two-Year-Old Country Pleasure Stallions, Mares & Geldings class. On The Hotline took home top acclaim in this competitive class of two-year-olds. This talented contender claimed top honors at the Germantown Charity show earlier this year. The entry is owned by Dr. Donnie Headrick of Arrington, Tenn. A Genius On Parole took home reserve honors for Ann Jameson. Earlier this season A Genius On Parole took home the blue from the Fayetteville Blue Ribbon show. Taking third in the class was Don Diego’s Quarterback for Jean S. Brannon.

Answering the gate call for the Two-Year-Old Performance Mares & Geldings were five talented teams. The honor of Two-Year-Old Mares & Geldings champion went to DW’s Southern Elegance for proud owners Tommy McGee and Carol Dickerson of Lenoir, N.C. This young champion has also claimed the top award at the WHAA Summer Classic. Claiming reserve in this class was Carolina Ginger Bread for George-Ann Pratt of Shawnee Mission, Kan. This talented young mare has claimed championship honors at the Liberty Lions Club show earlier this year. Third place went to Sunny Foolish Dollar for CCJK Enterprises.

Next on the evening’s agenda was the Weanling Fillies & Colts - Foaled October 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015. Four beautiful foals entered the ring in hopes to gain the championship title. The title and the unanimous honors went to Turn Down For What for Bob Nelms of College Grove, Tenn. This makes Robert Nelms second win of the evening. Earlier this year, this talented colt took reserve honors at the Liberty Lions Club show. Reserve honors went to The Carolina Kennedy for Ella Kline of Robbins, Tenn. Third award went to Flyin’ Through Dixie for Char Johnson.

It was the Two-Year-Old Trail Pleasure Stallions, Mares & Geldings that entered the ring next. Disaronno claimed the championship title for owner Kimberly Coult of Magnolia, Texas and Shelbyville, Tenn. Coult won a world championship title this morning and was back for more this evening. Earlier this season, Disaronno claimed top honors at the Putnam County Fair. Reserve honors went to Dirty Pearl for Ashley Wadsworth and Phil Dunnivan of Hernando, Miss., and Petersburg, Tenn. This talented horse has earlier season wins at the Sam Gibbons Memorial show and Arab Park & Recreation show. The third place tie went to Rhinestone Ritz for owner Theresa Williams.

The Weanling Fillies - Foaled April 1, 2015 through August 1, 2015 had a competitive class of six entries. The honor, unanimous title and blue ribbon went to I Am Lolita for owner Bobby Joe Jones of Manchester, Tenn. Earlier this year I Am Lolita took top honors at the Woodbury Lions Club show. Reserve honors went to Pearl Handle Pistol for Denise Smith of Brentwood, Tenn. This talented filly took the reserve prize at Wartrace earlier this season. The third place ribbon went to A Girligirl for David Kelley and Lisa Washburn.

Red Sunray and Mackenzie Morgan made an exciting exhibition in the Two-Year-Old Lite-Shod Stallions, Mares & Geldings class. This talented two-year-old is owned by Laurie Toone.

Next in line for this evening’s events was the Weanling Colts - Foaled April 1, 2015 through August 1, 2015. In a field of six spectacular colts, I’m Divergent took home the top honors for owner Carrie and Spencer Benedict of Glasgow, Ky. A Jazzy Master took reserve honors for owner G. Russell Wright and Son of Old Hickory, Tenn. Third place went to Dangerous & Shady for David Kelley.

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The Two-Year-Old Performance Stallions graced the ring with their presence next. Five talented stallions went head-to-head for the championship title. Taking home the blue in the class in his first show ring appearance was Shanghai MCF for Lorraine Rosbury of Bell Buckle, Tenn. Reserve honors went to He’s A Chip Shot for Billy Max and Deborah Woods of Lexington, Tenn. This talented young stallion took top honors at the Woodbury Lions club show earlier this season. Third award went to I’m Johnny Majors for Spencer and Carrie Benedict.

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An elegant class of Three-Year-Old Trail Pleasure Stallions, Mares & Geldings was next. Five top contenders answered the gate call for this class. Taking home her second championship title for today was Etta James By TJB for Steve L. Zeis of Douglasville, Ga. This world champion team won their first title this morning in the O/A English Trail Pleasure Three-Year-Old class. Reserve honors went to Mango-Rita for Tamara Hader of Bainbridge, Ga. Mango-Rita claimed top honors earlier this season at a WHOA Versatility show. The third place tie went to Swaybar for Allison Thorson.

The Darrah Yearling class for Futurity Nominated Yearlings of Unique Color entered the ring next. Six highly unique and talented colts entered the ring vying for championship honors.  Top honors went to What’s Up Brother for Tony Edwards of Shelbyville, Tenn. This talented colt has claimed top honors earlier this year at the Friends of After School Kids Program show in Woodbury. Reserve honors went to Miss Jazz Queen for Leighanne Tibbs of Petersburg, Tenn. This beautiful filly has claimed top honors at both the SSHBEA Ladies Auxiliary show and NSSHA show earlier this year. Third award went to A Jazzy Gen for Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Brantley.

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Two talented Three-Year-Old Lite-Shod Stallions, Mares & Geldings entries answered the gate call. Boston Bay carried out the blue ribbon in this class for Jannie Chapman of Fayetteville, Tenn. This talented young horse was the 2014 Two-Year-Old Lite-Shod World Champion. Reserve in the class was Alen’s Knight Vision for Michelle M. Cranford of Arab, Ala. Earlier this season this dynamic duo claimed reserve honors at the OK Hege show.

Six Yearling Fillies answered the gate call this evening. Hey Good Looking claimed the unanimous championship tie for Freda and Bobby Jones and Roger Richards of Manchester and Bell Buckle, Tenn. Continuing on with an undefeated season, Hey Good Looking has claimed top honors at the Columbia Spring Jubilee, Pleasure International Grand Championship and Woodbury Lions Club shows.  Reserve honors went to She’s City Lights for Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tenn. This talented filly has taken top honors at the Spring Fun Show, National Trainers Show, Belfast and Wartrace shows. The third place ribbon went to Charlie’s A Walking Angel for Charles Gleghorn.

Four very talented Three-Year-Old Performance Mares & Geldings answered the gate call. Taking the championship title was Black And Stormy for Katherine and Steve Zeis of Douglasville, Ga. This talented three-year-old has taken reserve titles at both the Cornersville Lions Club and Wartrace shows. Reserve honors went to The Camp Town Lady for Jo Ann Dowell and Susan Coleman of Powell, Ohio and Unionville, Tenn. This stunning mare took top honors at the 2014 National Futurity as a two-year-old. The third place award went to Gracie Gold for Virginia Stewart.

Up next was the Three-Year-Old Country Pleasure Stallions, Mares & Geldings division. Four highly talented young horses answered the gate call for their chance to win a championship title in this division. The unanimous top honors went to Diamond At The Ritz for Kimberly Coult of Magnolia, Texas and Shelbyville, Tenn. This talented, young horse won a reserve world championship earlier today in the O/A Two & Three-Year-Old Country Pleasure class. Reserve honors went to Sun Daze for Laurie Toone. Sun Daze has also won top honors at the PRHTA show earlier this season. Third award went to Dark’s Black Master for Mariella Fugger.

Nine highly talented Yearling Colts answered the gate call next. The blue ribbon and all the honors went to Carolina Chrome for John Callicutt and Stephen Smith of Seagrove, N.C., and Brentwood, Tenn. This talented colt has won top honors at such prestigious shows as Belfast and Wartrace earlier this season. Reserve honors went to Tom Selleck for Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tenn. Earlier season victories were earned at the Cumberland Classic and Spring Fun Show earlier this year. Picking up the third place ribbon was King Of Tijuana for Bob and Becky Nelms.

Answering the gate call for the Two & Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure Stallions, Mares & Geldings were three competitive, young horses. Top honors went to Hey Pretty Girl for Lucas Baum of Shelbyville, Tenn. This mare is no stranger to the winner’s circle. In 2014 she claimed world championship honors in the O/A Yearlings and Yearling Fillies & Geldings classes. Reserve honors went to He’s Game for Charles Gleghorn of Fayetteville, Tenn. This talented young horse has claimed top honors at the Cumberland Classic show along with the Petersburg Lions Club show earlier this season. The third place ribbon went to Color Magic for Michelle Cranford.