SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The 35th Annual Celebration Spring Fun Show will be like no other. A revamped schedule and large cash jackpot will be the main differences seen by the fans when the show opens a three-night run Thursday at Calsonic Arena in Shelbyville. One of the most important spring shows in the walking horse industry, the Fun Show has been a springboard toward the World Grand Championship for many of the top horses of the breed.

Performances for the Fun begin at 7:00 p.m. each night and reserved seats are still available.

"We’re throwing out a completely new format this year," said Celebration Board Chairman John T Bobo. "The ‘themed nights’ should be a great way to see the excitement rise from night to night."

The schedule for the 2005 Spring Fun Show reads like three separate one-night shows. On Thursday night, pleasure horses and halter classes will be featured. On Friday, Owner-Amateur riders will be on center stage. On Saturday night, the fans will see a performance featuring the professional trainers of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry in every class.

"As much as they appreciate all the other divisions, the fans keep telling us they love to see the professional trainers ride the very best stock," explained Celebration CEO Ron Thomas. "This has the potential to be one of the most exciting nights of competition the industry has seen in several years."

Thursday night’s performance features fourteen classes on the schedule, including three halter classes for yearlings.

Friday night will be a showcase for the Owner-Amateur riders with classes for youth riders all the way up to seniors with plenty of excitement in between. Many of the best amateur exhibitors in the country will be in competition during the 21-class performance riding some of the top horses in the industry. One new class expected to draw a lot of attention on Friday night is the new Walking Pony class for Owner-Amateur Riders.

Fifteen classes make up the exciting Saturday night schedule. Nine of the fifteen classes will be carrying WHTA Riders’ Cup points. In addition, The Celebration is offering a $2,000 High-Point Jackpot on Saturday night. The top three trainers accumulating points will split the pot with the winner receiving $1,000, second place getting $650, and third place getting $350.

Class 50, Walking Stallions, Over 15.2, Five Years and Over has long been a showcase for horses that hope to compete for the World Grand Championship at the Celebration in August.

Camping spots in the Celebration RV Park, adjacent to Calsonic Arena, remain available on a first-come, first-served basis. That, along with information on tickets can be obtained by going to The Celebration website at www.twhnc.com or by calling 931-684-5915.