The Nashville Sounds hosted a “Derby Day” event Saturday, May 4, in honor of the Kentucky Derby being held the same day. While they “Ran for the Roses” in Kentucky, gameday visitors were also celebrating the official State horse at the Nashville Sounds game– the Tennessee Walking Horse. The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' & Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA) stepped in, along with Jessica Mast of Stonewall Farm in Shelbyville, TN, and several volunteers, to bring two Tennessee Walking Horses for visitors to meet, pet, and learn about the breed.
Throwing the ceremonial first pitch was John Allan Callaway, who made history last year by becoming the first rider to ever win the Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Championship four years in a row. John Allan is from Shelbyville, where the World Grand Champions are crowned each year during the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Held every year since 1939, The Celebration is Tennessee’s longest continuously-running sporting event.
Labeled A Parolee and Eliza DeKleyn greet gameday visitors with Kool Vibes and Rileigh Bré Cole.
John Allan Callaway after throwing out the first pitch.