By Sadie Fowler
What has been a fantastic show thus far in terms of crowd, fun and entries continued Saturday night as the aged stallions culminated another successful evening. Everyone waited as a great crop of entries showed up for two splits to qualify for next week’s world grand championship. Master’s Razzle And Jazz with Herbert Derickson and I’m Mayhem and Rodney Dick took home top honors in the two competitive divisions.
Finishing reserve in the A division behind I’m Mayhem was Gen A Mighty and Jimmy McConnell with A Bruce Pearl and John Allan Callaway finishing third. In the B division, Jose’s Cold Chills and John Allan Callaway finished reserve and Bravo! and Chad Way took third place honors. The culmination of the 80th Anniversary Celebration next Saturday night is shaping up to be a great finale with high competition, great fan participation and a champion that will make the breed proud.
The night began with Herbert Derickson directing his amateur rider, Sue Irby, to top honors aboard decorated champion Gin Toddy in the Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Geldings. Gin Toddy now has seven world championships to go with his two world grand championships. Finishing reserve was Taylor Walters aboard Manning starting an impressive night for the young amateur rider.
A high level of competitions continued to be the theme of the show when the A division of the Three-Year-Old Mares hit the ring. Leaving with top honors were Gotcha Jose and John Allan Callaway for an ecstatic owner Jacob Baum. Continuing a great season were Casey Wright and Jose’s Consuelo for Bill Williams. The B division didn’t disappoint either. Wright continued his great Celebration with a blue ribbon ride aboard My Gin And Roses for Sammy and Gayle Cagle. John Allan Callaway directed She’s Simply Southern to the reserve ribbon for LaRue McWaters.
Continuing their great week were Checkpoint Charlie and Laurie Toone with the blue ribbon ride in the Western Trail Pleasure Four & Under class. Owner Tamara Hader had previously won a world championship at this year’s show aboard her Checkpoint Charlie. Stiletto and Hannah Myatt finished reserve in the small but ultra-competitive class.
Any time novice riders hit the ring at The Celebration you are guaranteed to have a moment that will never be forgotten in some rider’s life. To further that, a novice youth class is even more guaranteed to highlight someone’s night, along with their proud family. The Dixie Label and Carson Adams did just that on their first blue ribbon ride in the Novice Youth Riders 12-17 on Mares and Geldings. KJ Compton and Annie’s Lined With Cash finished reserve in the large class that filled the ribbons, a great sign for the youth in the industry.
Casey Wright continued his winning ways with I Am Angelique winning the A division of the Two-Year-Old Mares for happy owners Bill and Debbie Woods. I Am Angelique won over the 4th of July weekend and came to The Celebration confident and prepared. Walk Time Dolly and Tyler Baucom finished reserve in the class for Alan Riddley, which began a great night for the Riddley family.
In the B division, Baucom improved one spot and finished with the blue aboard Me And Pocahontas for Allyson Armstrong. This is their third blue ribbon of the season and the duo finished reserve over the 4th to A division winner I Am Angelique. Taking home the red ribbon were Veintiuno and John Allan Callaway for Lisa Baum.
The Dixie Lineman needs no introduction however this Saturday night was pretty special. Very few, if any times, in Celebration history has a sire won on the same night that two of his offspring also won. The Dixie Lineman and Gail Walling won the Owner-Amateur Pony Stallions class that was full of talented stallions. However, what may have been even more impressive is that two of his offspring also won on the same night. Miss Dixie Carter and The Dixie Label also took home top honors on Saturday night. Finishing reserve were the popular and talented duo of Taylor Walters and Mr. Trump.
The first set of roses and first spotlight ride of the 2018 Celebration in Maverick Arena under new lighting was completed by Lynn Womack and Oh Susanna for Jones, Richards and Womack. Talk about a good week! Womack directed Oh Susanna to a blue at the Futurity on Wednesday evening, a blue on Saturday morning and then the spotlight trip down victory lane on Saturday evening. Exeter and Robert Nelms finished reserve in the class that showcased some of the industry’s top young horses.
The Youth Ponies were next and the multi-world champion and world grand champion Lined Walkin’ took one more blue ribbon pass with BiBi Beasley. The win was their sixth of the season and the duo looks locked and loaded for the world grand championship later in the week. However, Big Blue Nation and Harper Grider were also impressive in their strong second place finish.
Jimbo Conner has had a good week. After his three-year-old stallion Playing Gin won on Friday night, Conner retired from the novice division himself on Saturday night aboard Jose’s Red Rock in the Novice Gentlemen Riders on Novice Stallions. Finishing reserve in another competitive class were Sloe Gen Jose and Bart McWaters.
Taylor Walters finished Saturday night with two impressive reserve rides but her night was completed with her win aboard Miss Dixie Carter in the Owner-Amateur Five-Year-Old Mares and Geldings. The win wasn’t easy as the class had a workout and Walters had to hold off Olivia Pope and Diana Cruse for the win. Both Miss Dixie Carter and Olivia Pope were world champions at the 2017 Celebration.
Sunday will mark the first day of the 80th Celebration that doesn’t feature a day session but the grounds will be plenty busy with the morning worship service and Auxiliary Dog Show. Sunday evening will then continue the trend of large classes, high competition and world champions that leave the ring knowing their accomplishments were hard to come by.