SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The Saturday Evening Performance of the 76th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration got underway with the opening ceremonies beginning promptly at 6:30p.m. Although summer storms seemed to threaten the area, the cooler breeze was certainly welcomed after the week’s high temperatures. Judges Rollie Beard, Jennifer Bingham, David Landrum, Paul Robbins and David Sisk took their place in center ring to welcome the first class of the session.
Earning the first unanimous world title of the night was I’m A-Rod and Dalia Smith Harr for Kenny Smith in the Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Walking Geldings. The team remains undefeated with other wins this year at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and the Marshall County Horseman’s Association shows. Harr has topped this class three other times with Pushin’ That Jazz in 2008, 2009 and 2011. Reserve in the class went to PGA and Lisa Baum. PGA won the Aged Mares & Geldings World Championship with John Allan Callaway in 2013 and has hit the ring three times this season. Third went to Sox Appeal and Debbie Eichler. Sox Appeal has had 2014 wins at the Spring Fun Show, Christmas In July and Wartrace shows.
The A Division of the Three-Year-Old Walking Mares performed for the judges during a rain shower. Walking away with the blue was Wired And Lined and Casey Wright for Jerry and Kathy Graves. This was the third win of the season for Wired And Lined having won at the Kick Off Classic and the Red Carpet Show of the South. The red streamer went to Miss Mexico and Chad Baucom for Mona Dean. Miss Mexico won earlier this year at the Columbia Spring Jubilee with Jordan Dean riding. Rounding out the top three was Jose’s Corner Market and Sam Martin for Dr. David Brown.
Next to the winner’s circle was Cash’s Good Wife and Jimmy McConnell for Elizabeth Whitney. Cash’s Good Wife earned wins at the Woodbury Lions Club and the Spring Fun Show before hitting the Celebration oval. Second in the class went to Queen For Today and John Allan Callaway for Lackey Properties, Inc. Queen For Today is sired by The Sky Command and won at the Gallatin Lions Club show in the spring. The yellow ribbon went to Major Title and Sam Martin for Emma Lee Cannon who directed the mare to an amateur victory at the SCWHA Ladies Auxiliary Show.
Three entries answered the call for the Young Trainers on 15.2 & Under class. Making the unanimous victory pass was I’m Coach Cal and Bill Callaway for George-Ann Pratt. I’m Coach Cal is the reigning Four-Year-Old World Grand Champion and was a Two-Year-Old World Champion in 2011. Chumlee and Derek Monahan, who have four previous 2014 wins, were second for Judy Jones. The Sportster and Justin Harris carried out the yellow streamer.
Four ladies in their bling hit the ring next with their Five & Over Western Park Pleasure Horses. Riding from the lineup and to collect the World Championship in the class was The Red Falcon and Joyce Hofstee; all the way from California. This was the first show ring appearance for the team in 2014. The Red Falcon earned a previous World Championship in 2009. Picking up the reserve honor was Plea Bargain and Joanne Morgan who captured blue ribbons honors earlier in the year at the Woodbury Lions Club and Sam Gibbons Memorial shows. Third went to Patti Pollack and Overpass.
Owner-Amateur Novice Youth Riders 12-17 Years on Novice Walking Mares or Geldings worked to impress the judges next. Walking right out of the Novice division was Jada Cassidy and I’m Soul Sister. Sired by The Whole Nine Yards, I’m Soul Sister won at the Wartrace show before heading to the Celebration. My Name Jose and Emily Graves rode to the Reserve World Championship in their fifth outing of the season. Rounding out the top three was Absolute Bullet Proof and Jordan Dempsey. This team had two wins in 2014 prior to the Celebration.
The A Division of the Two-Year-Old Walking Mares brought Jetta James and Blaise Broccard to the winner’s circle for Lance and Rhonda Lincoln. This was the first World Championship for Broccard as a professional. Jetta James had previous wins at the Laurel Charity, National Trainers’ Show, Mississippi Charity, Kick Off Classic, HAWHA Spring Classic and Parker’s Crossroads. Reserve went to Color Coded and Casey Wright for Eric and Dianne Lackey. Color Coded had three wins to her credit before walking into the big oval. Third in the class went to She’s A White Diamond and Bill Cantrell for Dr. WS and Gloria Warr and Rhonda Major.
Before calling the B Division of the Two-Year-Old Mares, the reigning Speed Racking World Grand Champion Miss Undertaker and Jason Todd entertained the crowd.
Earning the title of Two-Year-Old Walking Mares Division B World Champion was Roseanna Cash and Charlie Green for Jimmy Smith. Sired by the Smith’s Folsom Prison Blues, Roseanna Cash won at both the Bedford 4-H and Woodbury Lions Club earlier in the year. Reserve honors went to Steele Grey and Michael Wright for Tina Wright. Trish Harrison Spivey’s, O’Lainey and John Allan Callaway picked up the third tie.
Next to take the track was the Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Ponies, Stallions. Emerging from the lineup with all the honors was the new team of Samsung and Meg Callaway. Samsung had wins at the National Trainers’ Show and Columbia Spring Jubilee before taking to the big oval. Reigning World Champions in the class, The Dixie Lineman and Gail Walling picked up the reserve honor. This duo has ridden to the winner’s circle in their four previous outings this season. The New York Giant and Chad Adams closed out the top three.
Up next was the Walking Yearling World Grand Championship where the first set of roses for 2014 were presented. I Am G.Q., with Chris Richards at the lead, took the walk under the spotlight for owner Lisa Baum. This win came as a unanimous decision of the judging panel. This young stallion is sired by Jose’ Jose’ and has enjoyed an undefeated season including a National Futurity win and the Yearling Colts World Championship earlier in the day. Reserve went to Hey Pretty Girl and Kelly Richards for the Richards, Jones & Baum ownership. Hey Pretty Girl adds this title to her National Futurity win, and her previous two World Championships earlier this morning. Third went to Chick On Parole and Marty Warren for Denise Smith. Chick On Parole is sired by Out On Parole and is out of a He’s Puttin’ On The Ritz mare.
Novice Gentleman Riders on Novice Walking Stallions headed to the ring next in hopes of riding out of the Novice division with a blue ribbon at the Celebration. Completing the task and claiming the honor of World Champion was Command Again and Herschel Blessing. The duo won in July at the Tazewell County Classic. Reserve went to Bart McWaters and Ritzy Woman’s Man for LaRue McWaters. Rounding out the top three were I’m Handsome Jimmy Valiant and Kimble Tew.
Eleven entries made the call to work for the judging panel in the Owner-Amateur Riders on Five-Year-Old Walking Mares or Geldings. Riding to the winner’s circle as a unanimous choice from the judges and in the largest class on the night was Memphis Mafia and Gail Walling for Judy McDonald. Memphis Mafia carried Walling to the winner’s circle four times before they claimed this Celebration blue. Three-time World Champion, Miss Ebony Rose and Sudie Reed claimed the red award. This duo had prior wins at the Columbia Spring Jubilee, Arab Park and Recreation and WHAA Summer Classic shows. The third place award went to She’s Limitless and Molly Walters.
Making the gate call in the A Division of the Walking Stallions, Five Years & Over, Canter class was Mr. Heisman and Brandye Mills. The crowd cheered on the single entry who entertained the judges and fans alike. Mr. Heisman is owned by Randall and Sadie Baskin and was the 2012 15.2 & Under World Grand Champion. The team of Mr. Heisman and Brandye Mills have made two other show ring appearances in 2014.
Five entries made the gate call for the B Division of the Walking Stallions, Five Years & Over, Canter class. Emerging from the lineup was Gen’s Black Maverick and Bill Callaway for Keith and Lorraine Rosbury. The new partnership won the Money Tree Classic Grand Championship class in July. Reserve went to He’s Unleashed and Larry Edwards for Herb Murrath. This duo had one win earlier in the season. Rounding out the top three was Magic’s Pure Ritz and Herbert Derickson for Dean Scott.
Several presentations were made during the evening. The Walking Horse Trainers’ Association presented six youth scholarships to deserving youth of the industry. Receiving the scholarships were Hannah Barnes, Shelby Beam, Jaron Dotson, Logan Hankins, Abigail Hunt and Branson Popp. Winners from the days Youth Judging Contest were presented their awards in center ring as well. The High Point Senior Team was Sumner County 4-H and the Junior High Point Team was Lincoln County. Franklin Thomas was honored for his outstanding service to the Celebration.
The Great Strides Therapeutic Riding Program showed off the great things they do with a demonstration. The Walking Horse Trainers’ Association Give Back Program has been a great help to Great Strides and the Walking Horse Trainers’ Ladies Auxiliary has been a sponsor of the program for over 20 years. Trainers and Auxiliary members participated in the demonstration.
Competition will continue in the Celebration oval on Sunday evening. Sunday night is Church Night at the Celebration and Morning classes will finish up on Monday inside Calsonic Arena at 9a.m.