by Stephanie Morton
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - The sun was setting on the east grandstands as Hall of Fame member Mr. Bud Seaton and Counterfeit Dollar carried the National Colors around the big oval. Counterfeit Dollar was prepared for tonight’s carrying of the flag by Hugh Stables and is proudly owned by O.K. Walking Horse Farm. Brothers’ Jason and Jeffrey McGee gave a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. Once again marking the judges’ cards are Jennifer Bingham, Derek Bonner, David Landrum, David Sisk and Sam Sorrel. Handling the announcing duties for the evening was Mark Farrar Jr. Throughout the evening Farrar presented “Throwback Thursday” trivia questions to the crowd regarding horses, owners and all things Celebration.
Five young riders and talented horses answered the gate call as the evening’s event started with the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-11 Years on Walking Mares. Judge David Landrum served as the call judge in this impressive class. The crowd soon picked out their favorite team and cheered them on. Taking home the evening’s first unanimous world championship title was the world-class pair of Silverado Spirit and Harper Grider for Courtney Grider of Columbia, Ky. Earlier this season this dynamic pair claimed top honors at the Owingsville Lions Club show. Reserve went to I Am A Diva and Evan Claborn for Evan and Holly Claborn of Albany, Ky. Earlier this season I Am A Diva took top honors at the Claiborne County Walking and Racking show. The third place tie went to Heartbeat Counselor and Mary Beth Taylor for Brandon and Shawna Taylor of Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Following a top class of juvenile contenders was the Elite Owner-Amateur Gentleman Riders on Walking Stallions. Seven top entries answered the gate call for this impressive class. Judge David Sisk served as the call judge. Claiming top honors in this highly competitive class was Biscayne Bay and Ben Brogdon for Ben and Dr. Lynda Brogdon of Tallahassee, Fla. This world-class team has claimed top honors at such prestigious venues as the Walking For Cancer and Money Tree Classic shows. Reserve went to Play Something Country and owner Jeff Smith of Greer, S.C. Play Something Country claimed top honor at the Red Carpet Show of the South earlier this season. Third place was picked up by Swing Batter Batter Swing and Charles Stivers for Glendon Stivers.
Answering the gate call in the Three-Year-Old Walking Geldings class were eight top-notch entries vying for the world championship title. Judge Sam Sorrel served as the call judge in this class. Making the victory lap ride in this highly competitive class of young geldings was Gin Fusion and Herbert Derickson for Judy Case of Madison, Ala. Gin Fusion has claimed top honors at the Mississippi Charity, along with the National Trainers’ Show earlier this season. Reserve honors went to I’m A Mastermind and Justin Harris for Dr. George Wright of Old Hickory, Tenn. Earlier season blues have been claimed by I’m A Mastermind at both the Petersburg Lions Club and Cornersville Lions Club shows. Taking the third place award was Face Time and Charlie Green for Ben and Dr. Lynda Brogdon.
Up next was the A division of the Owner-Amateur Riders on Two-Year-Old Walking Stallions. The ring filled with top contenders all competing for top honors as 11 entries made the gate call. Judge Jennifer Bingham served as the call judge for this very impressive class of two-year-old stallions. Organist Larry Bright filled the air with the tune of “Hot Stuff” as the entries went on the rail at a flat walk. Hey, Tomcat and Carol Lackey claimed the top honors in this impressive class. The entry is owned by Lackey Properties Inc. of Shelbyville, Tenn. Hey, Tomcat claimed top honors earlier this season at the Christmas In July show as well as the Red Carpet Show of the South. Reserve honors went to Do Right and Steve Wilson for Steve and Pat Wilson of Stoneville, N.C. Closing out the top three was Cross Fit and Sherri Pollack for S&P LLC.
Nine top contenders answered the gate call for the B division of the Owner-Amateur Riders on Two-Year-Old Walking Stallions. Judge Derek Bonner served as the call judge for this highly competitive class of young stallions. Jamaica Gin and owner Jannie Chapman were in blue ribbon style as they took top honors in the class for Jannie Chapman of Owens Cross Roads, Ala. Jamaica Gin has enjoyed an undefeated season thus far with prestigious wins at venues such as the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Mississippi Charity shows. Reserve honors went to Flying High CC and Sheryl Crawford for Crawford Colts of Carrollton, Ga. This world-class pair has taken top honors at the Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic earlier this year. Rounding out the top three was Maroon 5 and Ruth Lodgston for Ruth Logsdon.
Six top contenders entered the big oval in hopes of winning the world championship title in the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 15-17 Years on Walking Mares or Geldings. Judge David Landrum served as the call judge. Taking top honors was Hot Texas Salsa and Thomas Derickson for Hodges & Derickson of Waco, Texas and Wartrace, Tenn. Hot Texas Salsa has claimed top honors at the Walking For Cancer and Liberty Lions Club shows. Reserve honors went to the highly competitive team of Jose’ Caliente and owner Chris Elliott of Tuscumbia, Ala. This world-class team claimed world champion and world grand champion honors in 2014 in the Owner-Amateur Youth Mares & Geldings classes. Closing out the top three spot was The Royal Dollar and owner Alex Blackburn.
Making a sparkling exhibition in honor of Throwback Thursday, Lilly Waites re-enacted the special night when Dee Dee Decker wore her 30 pound rhinestone riding coat into the big oval aboard Second Time Around. Second Time Around was trained by Vic Thompson and owned by the Decker family. Tonight, Waites rode Mastermind, which is trained by Joe Fleming Stables and owned by Dr. Wright, in a brilliant exhibition of this wonderful piece of history. This iconic coat is housed in the Tennessee Walking Horse Museum located in Wartrace, Tenn.
Nine top-notch entries answered the gate call for the Owner-Amateur Riders on Park Performance Walking Mares or Geldings. Judge David Sisk served as the call judge. We’re Jammin’ The Blues and owner George-Ann Pratt of Shawnee Mission, Kan., claimed top honors. This world champion contender has claimed blue ribbon victory passes at such prestigious shows as the SCWHA Ladies Auxiliary, Spring Fun Show, Columbia Spring Jubilee, Money Tree Classic and Marshall County Horseman’s Association. Reserve honors went to reigning World Grand Champion Dirty Sexy Money and Jannie Chapman of Owens Cross Roads, Ala. Third place was awarded to Kinky Boots and owner Dru McCormick.
Up next in this exciting evening of performances were the Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Stallions, 15.2 & Under. Judge Sam Sorrell served as the call judge. Boure’ and Tam Brogdon will be taking the blue ribbon home to Panama City Beach, Fla. This exciting duo has enjoyed an undefeated season thus far with seven wins. Reserve honors were claimed by Santana’s El Nino and Tammy Austin for L D and Tammy Austin of Hickory, N.C. Santana’s El Nino claimed top awards at the Cumberland County show earlier this season. Rounding out the top three in this fine class of horses was Pro V-1 and Abby Fox for Linda Fox.
Topping the class entry numbers of the evening, 19 top-notch horses and riders entered the big oval in the Owner-Amateur Novice Lady Riders on Novice Walking Mares or Geldings. Judge Jennifer Bingham served as call judge. These novice lady riders all competed at top ability in hopes to win their first Celebration blue ribbon. The crowd picked their favorite team and cheered them on. Brittany Baum and Nine Carat Diamond are novices no more! This team claimed top honors in this highly competitive class for Jacob Baum of Shelbyville, Tenn. This was the first win ever for this talented team. Reserve honors went to Walkin' Dollar and Sherry Bonner for Joe Bertram of Glasgow, Ky. Walkin' Dollar claimed top honors at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Belfast shows earlier this season. Rounding out the top three was I’m Steely Dan and Jennifer Lee for Fred and Diane Brown.
Judge Derek Bonner called the next class to the big oval. The Owner-Amateur Riders on Four-Year-Old Walking Stallions graced the ring with their presence next. Nine top competitors vied for world championship honors. Definitely no stranger’s to the winner’s circle are Mr. Country Gentleman and Robert Deutsch. The pair earned top honors in this impressive class for Robert Deutsch of Greensboro, N.C. This world-class pair has enjoyed an undefeated season thus far, claiming top honors at the Spring Fun Show, Columbia Spring Jubilee and Money Tree Classic. Reserve honors went to Five Star’s Jazzman and Henry Metcalf for Henry and Peggy Metcalf of Bainbridge, Ga. This top-notched duo has claimed blue ribbon victory passes at the Gulf Coast Charity and Christmas In July shows earlier this season. Picking up the yellow streamer was Popcorn Sutton and Lorraine Rosbury for Keith and Lorraine Rosbury.
It was the trainers turn to take a spin in the big oval next. Answering the gate call for the Walking Geldings, 15.2 & Under class were seven top competitors. Judge David Landrum served as the call judge and the crowd cheered on this fine group of entries. Admission Is A Dollar and Charlie Green claimed top honors in this fine class for Dr. Pam Hendrickson of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. This talented gelding claimed a reserve world champion 15.2 & Under title in 2014. Reserve honors went to An American Threat and Bill Callaway for Ridgemont Farm, Barbara Corbett and Lynn Hickock of Blacksburg, Va. This talented gelding claimed the 2014 world championship title in the 15.2 & Under Geldings class. Claiming the third place award went to Gangster’s Hitman and Blaise Broccard for Claudia Gribble.
Finishing out this evening’s competition was a fine class of Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Show Pleasure Walking horses. Ten top entries answered the gate call as Judge David Sisk served as the call judge. This was definitely one of the top classes of the evening. The crowd picked their favorites and cheered them on as they competed for top honors. Larry Bright closed out the evening by playing “I Love You Just The Way You Are.” For the sixth year in a row, Godfather By Ultra Copy and Courtney Luttrell were called from the line up to take the world championship title back to Kentucky. Godfather By Ultra Copy is owned by Alex Luttrell of Alvaton, Ky. Reserve honors went to I’m Moonlighting and Stephanie Elliott for Stephanie Elliott and Danny Gattis of Pontotoc, Miss. I’m Moonlighting has claimed top honors at such prestigious venues as the Columbia Spring Jubilee, Woodbury Lions Club and the National Trainers’ show. He’s Starbucks and Suzanne Moore were awarded with the yellow streamer.