By Mark McGee
Before Ronnie Spears and White Diamond Dollar carried the Stars and Stripes into “The Big Oval” Sunday night the talk centered on the odds for rain as Hurricane Ida made her presence known today in Louisiana.
An afternoon shower passed through prompting the speculation. Cloudy skies welcomed fans to the 14-class schedule with stallions, a split class of owner-amateur two-year-old walking mares & geldings, western and youth classes providing an eclectic evening of equine entertainment.
Fourteen of the 22 scheduled entries entered the ring for the Owner-Amateur Youth 12-14 Mares & Geldings with Dale Watts serving as the call judge. Center ring announcer Mark Farrar informed the crowd that lightning was striking six miles away as the class lined up for final judging. My Hometown Girl and Luke Callicutt walked away with the world championship for owner John Callicutt from Seagrove, North Carolina. It was their second blue in a row and their fourth of 2021. A Superbowl MVP claimed reserve with BiBi Beasley aboard. Del Sol walked away with a yellow streamer with Ashtyn Claire Brown.
After the class left the ring, Celebration officials chose to temporarily suspend the show as it was indicated lightning was striking within three miles away from The Celebration Grounds. The severe weather threat passed to the west of the arena and the suspension was lifted after approximately 20 minutes.
With the delay lifted, 15 of 21 listed entries made their way into the ring for the Owner-Amateur Western Country Pleasure class. Chris Bobo called the class. Line Item Veto rose to the top for the world championship with Rachel Teague aboard for The Bo Teague Family from Bell Buckle, Tennessee. It was their third blue for the show season. GiGi’s Majestic was ridden to a red streamer by Elysse Bradford for William Bradford. She’s Never Been Kissed was third for Sherri Pollack aboard for S&P LLC.
There were 10 of the 12 listed entries come down the chute for the Owner-Amateur Park Performance Stallions class. A Touché’ and Jannie Chapman walked their way to victory earning the world championship. It was the second blue ribbon for the team and the third this season for A Touché. Mucho Pavo tied second with Kim Leonard in the irons, while the yellow streamer left the ring with Jose’s Desperado and Jim Roberts.
The Owner-Amateur Novice Youth 6-11 class featured 15 of the 18 program entries for call judge Brent Grider. Six-year-old Ally Jo Jacobs won the Auxiliary Equitation Class for Youth 6-11 Saturday morning. Despite a broken arm, Jacobs rode Cole Haan to the world championship and is novice in performance classes no longer. They were the unanimous pick of the judges, the first of the evening. Jacobs, from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, owns the winner. It’s The Medalist was ridden to second by Eli Cunningham for James and Melissa Wilson and Brittany Cunningham. Jose’ The Champ tied third with Cole McCormick aboard for Mike McCormick.
When the gate was closed, seven of the 15 listed entries competed for call judge David Sisk in the Elite Owner-Amateur Ladies on Mares & Geldings class. Bye Felicia said hello to a world championship with Kathy Lewis from Belvidere, Tennessee, in the saddle. Powerstroke’s Evening Star was ridden to the second place tie by Sherri Pollack for S&P LLC. TN. Lineman and Debbie Marbry carried away a yellow ribbon.
Call judge Dale Watts put 13 of the scheduled entries in the Young Trainers on Mares & Geldings class through the paces The Florida Line and Cody Wofford walked to the world championship for Lisa Putman Enfinger from Madison, Alabama. Elway connected for reserve with Jordan Caudill in the saddle for Ella Abernathy. Honor And Obey tied third with R.M. Kellett aboard for Howard and Briann Eastridge.
A total of 23 of the 26 horses scheduled horses entered the ring for the Owner-Amateur Novice Show Pleasure class, the largest turnout of the night. Chris Bobo was the call judge. Charlie Danger and Jerri Ann Hill are no longer novices with their first Celebration world championship ride for Ginger Williams of Reidsville, North Carolina. They were the unanimous selection of the five-judge panel. They have three blues this season. Thunder In The Sky tied second with Elaine Ray, while Black Lined rode away with a yellow streamer with Kourtney Tyra riding for Conley Tyra.
The Owner-Amateur Youth 15-17 Ponies drew 10 of the 11 original entries. Derek Bonner served as the call judge. Time To Tease and Jessica Lawwell won the world championship for Horses To Go LLC and Lawwell from Rockwall, Texas. Time To Tease has won four blues in 2021 with multiple riders. The Ultimate Honor was reserve with Colton Trimble riding for co-owner Emilee Graves. Versace’s Dollar was a fashionable third with KJ Compton in the saddle for Rick Compton.
Call judge Brent Grider welcomed 10 of 31 scheduled entries, many of which were multiple entries or previously shown horses and did not need to show, for the Owner-Amateur Stallions class. A King Thing and Ashley Young were crowned world champions for Bob Adcock from Lititz, Pennsylvania. A King Thing has won four blues this season, three with Adcock in the saddle. The Bachelor SS received a red rose, uh, ribbon with Rae Shumate-Tysor on board for Sandy Shumate. Good Samaritan placed third with Pam Russell riding.
Thirteen of 17 program entries made the gate call for the Owner-Amateur Novice Western Trail Pleasure class. David Sisk drew call judge duty. For the second time in the evening a novice class winner made a second world championship ride . Since the horse and rider have to be novices prior to entering the show, a novice class winner can also have won another class in The Celebration. I’m Guns N’ Roses did just that with Andy Stooksberry from Shelbyville, Tennessee and Phyllis Langley. Stooksberry won the Country Pleasure Three-Year-Old class Thursday morning aboard Sabotage. Scarlett O’Hara TS placed second with Terri Smith in the saddle. The Crow and Madeline Heaner captured third.
The Elite Owner-Amateur Gentlemen on Mares & Geldings class featured seven of 16 listed entries in the ring for call judge Dale Watts. Bruce MacDonald collected another Celebration world championship, this time aboard Uptight Jose’ which is co-owned by Robin MacDonald of Shelbyville, Tennessee. They have won two blues in a row and three for 2021. Robin rode Uptight Jose’ to World Championships in 2020 and 2019. A Home Run By Ted was reserve with Greg Kiser, while Unreal rode away with a yellow streamer with Dr. Jim Baum aboard for Lisa Baum.
The Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares & Geldings, Section A brought 16 of 25 program entries into the ring. Chris Bobo was the call judge. Simply Country was simply outstanding teaming with Stephanie White as the unanimous pick of the judges for the world championship for Toni White of Eatonton, Georgia. Sky Fall 007 was reserve with Dee Broom Yoder riding for Charles Yoder. Cinco De Charlie received a yellow streamer with Jimbo Conner aboard for Lindsey, Hicks, Webb and Conner.
Call judge Brent Grider put 10 of the scheduled 14 entries in the Four-Year-Old Walking Stallions (Canter) class through their gaits. Justified Honors and John Allan Callaway rode to the world championship for owner Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tennessee. They are three-for-three in top finishes this show season. Mr. Magnifico took home a red streamer with Link Webb in the stirrups for owners Case, Barnes and Kilgore. Tua MCF and Tyler Baucom were third for Keith and Lorraine Rosbury.
The Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares & Geldings, Section B closed out the night with 18 of 24 listed entries competing. The call judge was Derek Bonner. Ultra Grey Pistol walked away with the world championship with Jennifer Bingham on board for Bingham and Price of Owingsville and Corbin, Kentucky. It was their third blue in row for 2021. Google.Com placed second with Chelsey Harvey in the saddle for Franklin Harvey. Magnificent Gin and Sister Milligan walked out with a yellow ribbon.