SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The 76th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration kicked off with the first session of classes inside Calsonic Arena promptly at 9a.m. It is a beautiful sunny day in Shelbyville and the Celebration grounds are buzzing with horse enthusiasts. The judging panel for this year’s event consists of veterans Rollie Beard, Jennifer Bingham and David Landrum. Paul Robbins and David Sisk take to center ring for the first time at the Celebration.

Model Pleasure Walking Mares started the festivities and brought four beautiful entries to the ring. Claiming her fifth World Championship in the Model division was Hot Silk led by Jeff Laughlin for owner Carole Hargett. The duo had other 2014 wins at the TWHBEA World Versatility, Cornersville and the Columbia Spring Jubilee. Claiming the Reserve World Championship was Fifteen Stars Behind Me and Evan Morgan for Rushing Creek Walkers. Rounding out the top three was I’m Star Gazing and Bobby Richards for Rhonda Martocci.

Next to the ring was the Owner-Amateur Riders on Two-Year-Old Trail Pleasure Walking Horses, Optional Tack. Thirteen entries answered the call to compete for World Championship honors. After a debut blue just a couple weeks ago, Rachel Teague and Talkin’ Dirty To Me rode to the title of World Champion for Bo and Rachel Teague. Etta James By TJB and Kathy Zeis claimed the second award for

Nine entries entered the gate in the third class, Amateur Owned & Trained Lite-Shod Walking Horses, No Professional Training Within 90 Days. Kick Start Jazz, 2012 Amateur Lite-Shod World Grand Champion, and Amanda Dickerson walked their way to the winner’s circle for Manis & Dickerson. The duo won earlier in the season at the Spring Fun Show. Tijuanna Jazz and Jimmy Laughlin earned reserve honors and Dangerous Willy and Maggie Moore rode to the third award for Carole Hill and Maggie Moore.
 The Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-11 Years on Park Pleasure Walking Mares or Geldings brought four entries to the ring. Claiming a unanimous World Championship and their third consecutive win in the class was B.B. King’s Jazz and Jackson Stephens for the Stephens & Womack ownership. Reserve went to the team of Pushover For Cash and Jessica Lawwell for Jessica Lawwell and Charlotte Williams. Nuclear Weapon and Andee’ Patton rode to the third award.



All 11 entries scheduled for the Owner-Amateur Riders on English Trail Pleasure Walking Horses made the call to the ring. Reigning World Grand Champions Bel Air and Kathy Anderson were called to claim top honors in the class. Fuego and Allison Thorson earned the red award while Jose’s Black Swan and Darden Gladney picked up the third tie.

The Western Park Pleasure Walking Horses, Four Years & Under Riders’ Cup class was next on the schedule. Five entries worked for top honors. After the cards were tallied, the unanimous blue went to Stone Cold Bandit and Patrick Thomas for Kim Leonard. This win marks the fifth for Stone Cold Bandit this season. Jazz On My Mind and Jeff Laughlin took home reserve honors for Carole Hargett. Rounding out the top three was Rooster Cogburn Is Armed and Blaise Broccard for Scott and Elizabeth Tew.
 Candy Crush and Jeff Laughlin follow their 2012 World Championship with yet another World Championship. The duo topped the Western Lite-Shod Walking Horses, Four Years & Under Riders’ Cup class for Dr. Jack Kwok. Candy Crush has made her way to the winners’ circle two previous times this season. Reserve honors went to Drop Dead Diva and Patrick Thomas for Rushing & Hamilton. Third in the class was Jose’s Cash Doctor and Bobby Richards for Martocci & Gladney.

Ten Owner-Amateur Riders on English Country Pleasure Walking Horses filled the ring next. Designer Champagne and Kimberly Coult earned the World Championship honors. This win marks the 14th blue for Designer Champagne this season. Riding to reserve was A Bama Belle and Darren Gray. Madam Houdini and Allison Thorson rounded out the top three.



Lite-Shod Walking Horses, Three & Four Years Old Riders’ Cup was nest to show. Topping the field with a unanimous victory was Roscoe Jenkins and Jeff Laughlin for Susan Coleman. Reserve was the team of Just Borrowed Cash and Patrick Thomas for Jim Roberts. The third award went to Frio Dinero and Carrie Martin for Martin & Dean.



Riding to World Championship honors in the Owner-Amateur Riders on Three-Year-Old English Trail Pleasure Walking Horses class was Black Mamba and Jordan Howell for Gordon and Lamar DePoyster and Jordan Howell. Reserve in the class went to My Black Cadillac and Allison Thorson. Daddy’s Cash and Dr. Donnie Headrick rode to the third award.

Fifteen of the 16 scheduled entries answered the gait call in the final class of the morning. Earning the title of Owner-Amateur Riders on Country Pleasure Walking Horses, Four Years & Under, Optional Tack World Champion was I’m AK-47 and Darren Grey. Grey also owns the champion. Reserve honors went to the team of Parole Patrol and Mackenzie Morgan for Laurale Lowery and Laurie Toone. Rounding out the top three was Boyfriend and Ashley Wadsworth for William Wadsworth.