A media tour of travel writers from across the country made Shelbyville and The Celebration Grounds as one of its stops on Monday, November 8. The tour, organized by the Tennessee Department of Tourism, continued throughout the week with different themes for each day.
The group stopping by The Celebration were touring Tennessee Horse Country with other scheduled stops including Bridlewood Farm and The Tennessee Walking Horse Museum.
Media members were treated to a Celebration highlight video tape and heard short talks from Celebration Board Chairman Pat Marsh, Celebration CEO Ron Thomas, Celebration Association Member Rick Insell, and Shelbyville-Bedford Country Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Walt Wood before a question and answer session.
The group then moved into the seating area of Calsonic Arena for a live demonstration. This portion included a yearling under halter (2003 Weanling World Grand Champion Our American Idol), a trail pleasure horse, and a park pleasure mount supplied by Bobby Richards and The Colt Center of Franklin, TN. The final horse in exhibition was former Three-Year-Old World Grand Champion Pusher's High Voltage with Mickey McCormick aboard. Richards explained the gaits, training techniques, shoeing, tack, and rider attire to the assembled group.
At the conclusion of the event, media members were given the opportunity to ride and most took advantage.
"It's a wonderful opportunity to talk to media members from different parts of the country about this wonderful animal and our event," said Thomas. "They were most impressed with the tradition of The Celebration as well as calm demeanor and smooth gait the Tennessee Walking Horse exhibits."