It was hot and muggy during the afternoon hours. Storm clouds threatened to give some relief but no such luck, not in Shelbyville, in August, at the Celebration. Nevertheless, the stands filled with those hardy, loyal fans who have come to “enjoy the ride” as they support their favorites. The attendance for Monday night was 8,938.
Tradition is everything at the Celebration. Following tradition, Snow On The Mountain and rider Bud Seaton presented the colors. Tradition states that this presentation be made on a solid white Tennessee Walking horse and tonight the flag horse was a glistening white, never showing any indication of his age. (21)
The night was action packed as the gentlemen drivers opened the show. The Owner-Amateur Gentlemen Drivers, Fine Harness presented their entries with sparkling buggies and polished harnesses. It doesn’t take much to fill a ring when you have nine entries vying for the blue. Only one entry failed to show. Tuck directed the action. After displaying their way of going, the entries parked head to toe, each with a handler, as the judges made their review.
The Scott Edwards Memorial Challenge trophy was retired as Genius Gold Spirit and Bob Keenan drove to the blue ribbon. This team has won the class two years in a row. Hallelujah Its Time and Larry Stewart for Jeffcoat Stables moves up this year to reserve. They tied sixth last year. On The Money and Ben Harrell repeated their third place tie for the second year in a row.
Park Pleasure Walking Horses, Four Years Old, Specialty, Amateur Riders entered the ring to the call of Carpenter. The riders guided their smooth walking horses around the arena as the judges made their selection. Dawn Bransfield and In Excess walked up to receive their first place award. They received a reserve tie earlier. This year they also posted wins at the California Celebration and the West Coast Trainer’s show. Armed Red Baron and Lauren Hamilton claimed their second place red ribbon and exited to the crowd’s cheers. Charles Lowe, from Paris, Tenn. owns the entry. Randall & Gloria Dixon own the third place horse, Fully Armed, Willie Cook Jr. up.
Twenty-eight riders and horses answered judge Hand’s call to enter for class 93, Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Geldings, Specialty. Fifty-eight entries were originally listed. One round was made when a workout was announced. Six entries parked in and after several more rounds, nine additional numbers were asked to remain for further work in the class. Each rider pushed hard and their horses responded with legs waving and tails swishing from the driving back ends the walking horse is known for.
Patti Pollack rode Down Under to a blue ribbon. She rides for Silver Spur Ranch in Calif. Jubilee’s Star Wars and Daniel Groover made a stellar ride for second place and the red ribbon. Groover owned the entry. The Real Deal really made a good ride for the third tie. Keith Champion, his rider and owner comes from Forest City, NC.
Whoa now! The Amateur Western Trail Pleasure, Specialty, World Grand Championship class was called by Hankins. Twenty-two entries previously qualified for the class. The riders and horses were spit-shined and polished as they rode hard for the title. This is the first time this championship has been offered.
Riding under the spotlight and receiving the floral horseshoe, the championship trophy and the 2000 Year in Walking Horses was To Die For! and Shayna Shaw. Their record is certainly something to die for. They were undefeated at the Celebration, claiming 5 first place ribbons. Janis Brown owns the entry. A Style File and Darwin James, also undefeated at the Celebration, receive the title of reserve world grand champion. Olympic Angel and Marilyn Friedman, rider and owner, received the yellow ribbon for third.
Having any doubts about the walking horses’ future? Calm your fears. The Two-Year-Old Walking Stallions, class 95, was alive and doing well. Well enough to be split into three-yes three-divisions. Total entries numbered 159, split 51, 53 and 55. Of that number, 83 showed.
The young stallions shown tonight were only two but many had started to make names for themselves. At Martin’s call, 29 horses threw their shoes into the ring for the competition. Sixteen horses were called for a workout. What is it about those walking stallions? They’re a thrill at any age! And thrill the crowd they did! Now take that deep seat and “Walk On”. The crowd cheered and the horses and riders worked even harder. It was only a preview of the competition in this class on the last Saturday night.
The judge’s nod went to Gen’s Major Josey Wales directed by Kenneth Lawrence for Floridians, Mr. & Mrs. Bernie Duncan. Allan Callaway returned to collect a red ribbon for Ritz N Rebel for Mr. & Mrs.. Frank Neal of Nashville. Sam Kite owns the third place tie. Mike Carter rode Vapor for that yellow ribbon. Two Memorial trophies were given in this class,the Judy Woodlee Memorial Challenge trophy and the Buddy Kirby Memorial Challenge trophy.
Want to see more? Well, Division B entered with more exciting stallions. Tuck called a large contingent of 30 horses to the gate. One entry asked to be excused before a selection was made for the workout. Numbers called to park in were given a breather as the riders dismounted. Six numbers were added to the original six and the remaining horses were excused. The action was underway as the crowd screamed out for their favorite. Three riders asked for and received permission to leave prior to the workout.