A Thursday night for donuts, youth riders and two-year-olds
By Britney Brown
 
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The first Thursday night of The Celebration is always full of promise as the Two-Year-Old Mare spilt and the Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old split showcase the newest generation of great walking horses. The show got underway at precisely 7PM, with Mark Farrar welcoming White Diamond Dollar and Vicki Self into the show ring. Andy Keffer of First Church of the Nazarene gave the invocation, and James Wells of Franklin did a beautiful rendition of the national anthem. Sunny, mild weather brought with it the excitement for 14 competitive classes. 

Class 42, Owner-Amateur Western Park Pleasure was the first class on the docket. Four of the seven entries made their way down the chute as Judge David Sisk called the gaits in the class. They got underway at a flat walk and rode hard both directions before heading to the lineup. The 2024 World Grand Champion Park Pleasure mare, Jazzed Up Lady and Lauren Hamilton of Cedar Grove took home the first blue ribbon of the night. Last year they were the reserve world champions, and this year they moved up into the world champion spot in this division. Jazzed Up Lady has had previous wins at the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival and Money Tree Classic. Second in the good class went to Late Night At The Ritz and Lisa Baum of Shelbyville. They also had winning shows this year at Walking For Cancer, Woodbury Lions Club and Heart Of A Champion. The third-place honor went to multi-World Champion Boston Bay and Anne Evans.

Class 43A was the first solit of the Two-Year-Old Mares class. This division included Futurity nominated Two-Year-Old Performance Mares. The many trainers who came through the entry gate each brought the best of the best to the show ring. It was their time to showcase the hard work they have done with these young horses throughout the year. Judge Chris Bobo called the class of 13. In the lineup, everyone waited to find out who would be the favorite to win the Two-Year-Old Mares World Grand Championship next Thursday night. By unanimous decision, A Gossip Girl was called to wear the blue streamer and neck ribbon tonight, with Sam Martin aboard for Dan and Susan Erwin of Olive Hill, Kentucky. A Gossip Girl is sired by Jose’s Power Broker, and had wins this year at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show and Let Freedom Ring. Walking out with the crimson ribbon was the good team of Foolish Honor and John Allan Callaway, up for Mike and Ginger Young and Jamie Bradshaw of Gadsden and Arab, Alabama. Sired by Honors, Foolish Honor won at the TWHYA Summer Splash earlier this year. Polly Blue and Charlie Green were called to the third award for Dr. Lynda Brogdon. 

Class 44 was next, English Lite-Shod, with Robert Cortner serving as the call judge. Six of seven entries made their way into the Big Oval. The competition was heated as these expert lite-shod trainers competed for the honor of world champion, putting their horses through their gears around the track. After the cards were tallied, it was the duo of Senorita Carmelita and Jimmy Baumgardner who made the victory pass for Salt Lick Farm and Elese Lewis of Salt Lick, Kentucky. They are no strangers to The Celebration, winning the Novice Lite-Shod World Championship in 2023, and have won at the Derby Classic and Owingsville Lions Club this season. Next in the good class, walking out with reserve, was Red Rum SS with Patrick Thomas riding for Dr. Gary Pope of Taylorsville, North Carolina. They were the Five & Under Lite-Shod World Champions in 2024. The third-place tie went to three-time World Champion Two Guns and Blake Cammack.

Class 43B was the second split of the Two-Year-Old Mares. After getting off their first horses, trainers hopped onto their next contenders. Of the 24 horses entered in the class, an impressive 14 made the gate call, with Judge Ross Campbell serving as the call judge for this good class. Many of them young trainers, they worked their way around the ring, vying for a good place on the rail. In the end, Capri and Thomas Derickson were called out of the lineup to world championship honors for Maria Bobo of Shelbyville. Sired by Jimmy Choo and out of a He’s Puttin’ On The Ritz mare, Capri has had previous victories this year at the Spring Extravaganza, Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic with Bobo. Reserve honors were taken by the Money Tree Classic winners, She’s Sweet Walkin’ and Kayla Baucom for Allyson Armstrong of Hickory, North Carolina. Third on the judges’ cards was She’s Unlimited with Sam Martin in the irons for The Molly Walters Family.

Class 45 ushered in Elite Owner-Amateur Gentleman Riders on Stallions. Judge Brent Grider called the class of seven veteran riders. These gifted riders may be considered elite, but their hearts ring with youthful vigor, grit and determination. In the end, it was Jurist with Jeff V. Smith of Greer, South Carolina, in the irons. Jurist was the Youth Weanlings World Champion in 2018 and has an extensive show career since then. He has had wins at The FAST Spring Showcase, Spring Extravaganza, Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic just this year. Christmas In July winner, Record High and Rollie Beard, for Brenda Marmon and Rollie Beard of Shelbyville and Lewisburg, were called out for the reserve honor. Then, the team of Head’s Up Jose and Bart McWaters for LaRue McWaters received the yellow streamer as they made their way out the exit gate. 

Owner-Amateur Youth 6-11 on Mares turned up the thrill for class 46. Parents, trainers and excited spectators cheered the six youth entries on as they strode out on their talented mounts. These horses never faltered as they carried their small riders around the ring, with Judge Sisk calling the gaits. J French Brantley played “The Bare Necessities” and “The Hokey Pokey” for the youngsters as the competition mounted. It was I Sang Dixie and Ally Jo Jacobs for The Jake Jacobs Family of Murfreesboro who were called to the winner’s circle. Ally Jo and I Sang Dixie are not strangers to wins in the youth division, with blues at Walking In The Smokies, the Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic. Reserve in the class went to four-time World Champion A Sunday Rose with Bentlee Baum in the irons for Lisa Baum of Shelbyville. Tied for third place was the duo of She’s Worthy Of Honor and Conlee Bobo for Jill Derickson.

Class 47, Owner-Amateur Pony Stallions, brought with it a new type of excitement. A group of seven horses came through the entry gate, as Chris Bobo called the class of riders young and old. Bouje’ and Dr. Lynda Brogdon of St. Augustine, Florida, dominated the class and they were called out of the lineup for first place with the crowd cheering. Bouje’ is sired by Santana’s Storm Dancer and has an extensive show career with a win at Christmas In July earlier this year. This was the first Celebration blue for Bouje’. Second in the good class was Dark Rain and Taylor Walters of Rancho Mirage, California. Aside from having a two world championships and a world grand championship from 2023 on his record, Dark Rain boasts wins from this show season at the Heart O’ Dixie Spring Showcase, WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show and Let Freedom Ring. Wearing the yellow ribbon was the team of As I Am and Ashley Rea for Dr. Ann Rea.

Class 48A, Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallions, was next on the program, with an admirable 15 horses making up the class. Competition was hot as they started at the flat walk and Judge Campbell called the class. The riders exemplified their skill and poise, while the young horses exemplified their talent. Finally, after much deliberation, it was the duo of Chosen CSF and Caryl Sherman who rode to world championship honors for Floyd and Caryl Sherman of Shelbyville. Chosen CSF is sired by Honors, and he and Caryl have won this year at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show and the Spring Fun Show. Coming out in the reserve position was Reed Sheppard, a son of Jimmer Fredette, and Bryan Graham of Knoxville. Third in the class went to The Night Watch and Ron Wagaman for RJW Longwood Farms LLC and Ron and Jan Wagaman.

Owner-Amateur Park Performance Mares & Geldings, class 49, entered the ring next. With 17 of the 22 entries answering the gate call, the class promised to be heated. Former world champions went head-to-head for the winning spot on the judges’ cards. After Judge Grider had finished calling the class, the horses went to the lineup. Collusion and Sister Milligan were called to wear the blue on this Thursday night. Collusion is the entry of Sister Milligan and Jackson Laughlin of Panama City, Florida and Shelbyville, Tennessee. This was the first Celebration blue for Collusion, though he has dominated in shows like Walking In The Smokies and the Marshall County Horseman’s Association. Wearing the red ribbon out of the lineup was the 2024 world champion team of Pitbull and Caitlyn Duschel for Kelly Duschel of Lincolnton, North Carolina. Chosen out of the lineup for third place, I Am Uno and Will Cole wore the yellow for Holton and Cole.  

Next to the ring was the B split of Class 48, Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallions. Of the 26 entries, 11 were in the ring when Mark Farrar called to close the gate. Robert Cortner was the call judge as the class started underway at a flat walk. The densely packed class worked their way both directions around the ring. In the end, world championship honors went to Harvey Specter SBS and Janice Fostek, the owner and rider from Roanoke, Virginia. Sired by Jeronimo, Harvey Specter SBS adds this world championship title to wins at the Shelbyville Tennis Club show and the Money Tree Classic earlier in the season. The second-place award was given to The Street Lawyer and Taylor Walters for The Molly Walters Family of Rancho Mirage, California, also winning at the Wartrace Horse show a few short weeks ago. The Street Lawyer is sired by Lester H. Burns. Taking home third place honor in the class was The Bomb.com and Noel Botsch for Noel and Lynda Botsch.

Class 50, Owner Amateur Stallions 15.2 & Under, came next on the night’s program. David Sisk was the call judge for the class of 12. Many of the competitors were former world champions; however, only one team could take home the blue streamer and make the victory lap as the 2025 world champion. That award went to Form A Line with Carole Baxter in the irons for Carole and Lee Baxter of Alexandria, Louisiana. This pair were the Owner-Amateur 15.2 & Under Stallions World Champion and World Grand Champions in 2023. The hard-working team of four-time world champion and four-time world grand champion Smoky Mountain Strong and Lexi Helton, the owner and up from Sevierville, came in second. This proceeds 2025 wins at the Spring Fun Show and Woodbury Lions Club shows. Third in the good class was the team of World Champion A Kingpin and Bob Adcock, the owner and up.

Class 51 was another youth class, this time Owner-Amateur Youth 6-11 on Show Pleasure Mares & Geldings. All seven entered teams made the gate call as the class got underway. Chris Bobo called the gaits in the class as the young riders fought for first place. After a year of wins at the TWHYA Summer Splash and Christmas In July, it was Well Armed American and Reese Abernathy who rode to blue. They have won this class at The Celebration in 2024 and now 2025. The reserve honors went to Tee Time Charlie and Ally Jo Jacobs for The Jake Jacobs Family of Murfreesboro. They took reserve in the class both last year and this year, with a successful show season that includes awards at The Spring Extravaganza, Shelbyville Tennis Club show and Marshall County Horseman’s Association. Charlie On Fire and Sterling Woodruff, for Cammack and Woodruff, were called to the third award. 

Owner-Amateur Youth 15-17 Mares & Geldings, Class 52, comprised the second-to-last class of the night. With a lineup of popular names, the 15 talented horses in the ring did not disappoint. The young riders were also a great example of skill within the breed; they provide much anticipation for the next generation of adult riders. After the judges’ cards were tallied, World Champion Quite An Honor and Maxine Beasley wore the blue for The Beth Beasley Family of Athens, Alabama. This follows a season of wins at The Spring Extravaganza, Walking For Cancer, Let Freedom Ring and The Red Carpet Show Of The South. Second in the class was World Champion and World Grand Champion Jose’s Vindicator with Caroline Wesley Way aboard. Third place honors were awarded to A Neon Cowboy and Rylee Nichols for Glenda and Ted Nichols. Three of the horses that placed in the good class were classic horses.

The last class of Thursday night was Walking Stallions. Seven entries came into the Big Oval for class 53 to “Rocky Top”. Robert Cortner served as the call judge. Competition was stiff and the trainers worked hard to showcase their world champion contenders for the judging panel. Walking and shaking their way into the lineup was the two-time World Champion A Shade Of Jose’ with Tyler Baucom in the irons this year for Buck and Donna Buchanan of Advance, North Carolina. Sired by He’s Slim Shady and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare, A Shade Of Jose has already had a successful 2025 at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Marshall County Horseman’s Association shows. Taking home reserve to Georgetown, Georgia, was the duo of 2023 World Champion Big Henry and Drew Graves for Carol Missildine. Big Henry, sired by Honors, won big at the Cornersville Lions Club and Fayetteville Blue Ribbon shows this year. The third-place tie went to Wilhelm and Dan Waddell for Star Catcher Farms and Tim and Missy Johnson. 

With the victory pass, the first Thursday evening of competition came to a close. Most folks will likely take a long time to fall asleep after the excitement of the evening. Mark Farrar announced that The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration has been labeled as an American 200 Event. It is part of a program to designate historic and cultural events across the country as the United States approaches its 250th year. Everyone will reconvene in Cooper Steel Arena Friday morning awaiting the third day of showing at the 87th Celebration. Later, Wild West Night would take over the Friday night classes.