It’s Monday Night at the 75th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Tonight, we get to take our first look at three sections of Two-Year-Old Stallions, the Walking Mares Over 15.2, the Walking Mares Under 15.2 and Walking Stallions, 15.2 & Under and a host of great classes in between on the 14 class schedule for the evening.

Also, Equitation World Grand Champion Allison Thorson, who was crowned during the morning performance today in Calsonic Arena, will join us for a spotlight ride and exhibition this evening.

The judges for the Diamond Anniversary Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration include Rollie Beard of Lewisburg, Tenn., Derek Bonner of Mooresboro, N.C., Jamie Bradshaw of Union Grove, Ala., Allen Forman of Thomson, Ga., and Leigh Stuart of Alvaton, Ky.

The invocation for the Monday evening performance was given by Pastor Randy Williams of the Life Restoration Church followed by the National Anthem by Jon Brock of Shelbyville, Tenn.

First up on the evening schedule was class 107, Owner-Amateur Gentleman Drivers, Fine Harness with five of eight expected making the first gate call of the night as Derek Bonner called the gaits. Driving to the winner’s circle with a unanimous decision of the panel was Lined Royal Cash and owner/exhibitor Dr. Jack Kwok of Delaware, Ohio. He’s A Weekend Warrior and Thad Way was reserve for Enfinger and Way of Ozark and Tuscaloosa, Ala. Clutch’s Power Play and Ben Harrell were third for Double Springs Farm of Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Walking Mares, Five Years & Over, Over 15.2 (Canter) (Riders’ Cup), Class 108, was up next on the schedule with four of the 10 programmed entries working the track to show all three gaits for Jamie Bradshaw and his panel. Riding to the win for the second consecutive year was Main Sweetie and Clay Sanderson up for James Vernon of Booneville, Miss. One Fine Line and Jimmy McConnell pulled into the second position for Kimble and Madeline Tew of Waynesboro, Miss. She Has Status and John Allan Callaway were third for Joyce Meadows of Pleasant View, Tenn.

Class 109 featured the Owner-Amateur Riders on Five-Year-Old Walking Stallions with 11 of 14 on the officiall Lions Club program working down the hill to show for the Monday night crowd as Allen Forman called the gaits for the class. Making the victory pass tonight was Gin Toddy and owner/exhibitor Sue Irby of Shelbyville, Tenn. This win was preceded with 2013 wins at the National Trainers’ Show, the Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic. I’m Pushin’ N Line and Janice Fostek collected the red streamers for Joe Fostek of Roanoke, Va. The Jazz Player and Edith Dilday picked up the yellow ribbon for Dilday and Blackburn of Dresden, Tenn.

Classic Park Pleasure Walking Horses (Riders’ Cup), class 110, featured seven of the nine with reservations working under the watchful eye of Leigh Stuart and her panel. Making the winning ride in the class was Double Shot Of Cash and Laurie Toone up for Tamara Hader of Bainbridge, Ga. This made their second World Championship of the day as the team captured the Four-Year-Old Park Pleasure blue earlier today. Motown’s Title Masterpiece and Steve Sanders were reserve for Sonny and Debbie Sanders of Brownsboro, Ala. Lil Wayne and Bobby Richards rounded out the top three for Jeff Gillespie of Bainbridge, Ga.

The Two-Year-Old Walking Stallions were up next on the schedule. Since they are split into three sections, the decision was made to show a class in between each section to give the trainers more time to prepare.
First up, class 111A, Two-Year-Old Walking Stallions (Riders’ Cup) brought 12 of the 19 on the program down the hill to show as Rollie Beard served as call judge for the section. Capturing the win in the A section was Mr. Country Gentleman and Tyler Baucom up for Robert Deutsch of Greensboro, N.C. This youngster picked up the Owner-Amateur Riders on Two-Year-Old Walking Stallions, Div. A on Thursday night with owner Robert Deutsch and this was this team’s fifth blue in the professional division of the 2013 season. A Master Sky High and Charlie Green pulled into the second position riding for Don and Lucky Collins of Bell Buckle, Tenn. The Anonymous Ace and Jimmy McConnell were third for Bill and Karen Bean of Tomball, Texas.



Class 112 was up next on the schedule, Owner-Amateur Riders 50 & Over on Park Pleasure Walking Horses with eight entries making the call to work for Allen Forman and his panel. Riding to the winner’s circle was Lined Up At The Ritz and Jim Nichols up for Rowan and Nichols of Bluemont, Va., and New Market, Tenn. BB King’s Jazz and Libby Stephens were reserve for Womack and Stephens of Grayson, Ky. Rev’s Flashback and Betty Laughlin were pulled into the third position for Jo Laughlin of Waynesville, Mo.

Class 111B, Two-Year-Old Walking Stallions was up next with seven of the 20 on the official Lions Club program making the call to work as judge Derek Bonner served as lead official for the class. Topping this section was Five Star’s Jazzman and Gary Martin up for Dr. David Brown of Sumter, S.C. The Cuban and Michael Wright collected the red streamers for Billy and Debbie Woods of Lexington, Tenn. Paroled From Hardtime and Dick Peebles rounded out the top three for Sister Milligan of Panama City, Fla.

Class 113, Owner-Amateur Gentleman Riders on Show Pleasure Walking Horses was up next with seven of the 18 on the books working down the hill to show for the Monday night crowd as Leigh Stuart served as call judge for the class. Making the winning performance in the division with a unanimous decision of the panel was El Zorro Star and Kenny Compton up for Rick Compton of North Tazewell, Va. Perfection Of Jazz and Alex Way pulled in to collect the red ribbon for Way and Windemuller of Myakka City, Fla. He’s My Pop Too and Dwight Hasty was third for Diane Hasty of Huntsville, Ala.

During a quick break in the action, the water wagon came in to settle the dust and then, the crowd was entertained with an exhibition from the 2013 Equitation World Grand Champion, Allison Thorson, who was crowned earlier today in Calsonic Arena. She will be back in the big oval for the Stars Of The Future Exhibition on Saturday night.

Completing the Two-Year-Old Stallion class, class 111C brought seven of the 20 with reservations down the hill to work for top honors in the section as Jamie Bradshaw served as call judge for the class. Proving his name to be true tonight, King Of Blues and Charlie Green garnered the blue for Kevin Luttrell of Alvaton, Ky. Putt For Dough and Bill Cantrell were reserve for Cantrell, Lowe and Powell of Phenix City, Lowdensboro and Montgomery, Ala. Pushing The Cash and Patrick Thomas were third for Jerry Swift of Dover, Tenn.



Class 114 brought the Elite Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Walking Stallions down the hill with eight of the 17 expected making the call to work for top honors in the division. Judge Rollie Beard served as call judge for the class. When the work was complete, it was Puttin Cash On The Line and Molly Walters, 2013 champions at the Woodbury Lions Club Horse Show, garnering the blue ribbon and approval of the judges riding for The Molly Walters Family of Rancho Mirage, Calif. Command & Control and Sheryl Crawford were reserve for Crawford Colts of Carrollton, Ga. Ozone’s Cut Above All and owner/exhibitor George-Ann Pratt of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, rounded out the top three in the class.



The professional trainers were back on the rail for class 115, Walking Mares 15.2 & Under (Canter) (Riders’ Cup) with five of the six programmed entries making the call to work as Derek Bonner called the gaits in the class. Busting out to ride for the win the class was Out On Bond and Herbert Derickson riding for Thomas Derickson of Wartrace, Tenn. A Final Command and Jimmy McConnell were reserve in the class for Bob Medina of Skillman, N.J. Jose’s Ritzy Doll and Mickey McCormick was third for Stephens, Womack and Fleming of Grayson, Ky.



Class 116 featured the Owner-Amateur Riders on Park Performance Walking Stallions with 12 of the 13 expected making their way down the hill to show as Jamie Bradshaw led the panel in the class. Capturing top honors in the class for the seventh time and the fourth consecutive year was The Concealed Weapon and Patti Pollack up for S & P LLC of Saratoga, Calif. This duo has captured the blue in this class in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012 and now, 2013. Ted Who and Kenny Compton were reserve for Rick Compton of North Tazewell, Va. Antonio Banderas and Jennifer Hall was third for Hall and Hall of Smyrna, Tenn.



Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Mares or Geldings came next on the schedule, class 117, with 11 entries making the call to work as Allen Forman called the gaits in the class. Making the victory ride with an unanimous decision of the panel was Jose’s Centerfold and Bill Williams taking top honors back to Ripley, Tenn. Watch Number Seven and owner/exhibitor Gayle Holcomb pulled into the second position taking the red ribbon back to Marina del Rey, Calif. Jazz Country and Patti Pollack rounded out the top three for S & P, LLC of Saratoga, Calif.



Rounding out the Monday evening performance was class 118, Walking Stallions, 15.2 & Under (Canter) (Riders’ Cup). Horse show organist Larry Bright got the crowd clapping along to a little “Flat Walk Boogie” as the entries worked their way down the hill to the historic big oval. Six of the 12 programmed entries beat the clock and made the gate call to work for Leigh Stuart and her panel. Making the ride to the winner’s circle in the outstanding class with the approval of the crowd was A Strong Need For Cash and Michael Wright up for Jim and Jeanne Roberts of Wildersville, Tenn. Mr. Heisman and Brandye Mills were a popular reserve riding for Randall and Sadie Baskin of Franklin, Tenn. Bee Bee King and Jimmy McConnell were third for Mary Medina of Skillman, N.J.



With that final victory pass by A Strong Need For Cash and Michael Wright, the Monday Night crowd headed for the exits as the evening was complete at 10:40 p.m. The Tuesday evening performance promises to be just as exciting as tonight’s has been with Four-Year-Old Walking Mares, Owner-Amateur Riders on Two-Year-Old Mares & Geldings, and Owner-Amateur Riders on Three-Year-Old Walking Stallions highlighting the schedule. Hope to see you back in Shelbyville to enjoy the 75th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.