By Britney Brown
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The second evening of showing in the Celebration Big Oval started promptly at 7 o’clock. Organist J French Brantley and Mark Farrar announced the arrival of Fruit Jar Alley and Ronnie Spears back to the ring to present the nation’s colors. The invocation was given by Chris Rimes of Edgemont Baptist Church in Shelbyville, and the national anthem was sung by The Cavaliers quartet.
With that, the first of the evening’s 12 classes began with Owner-Amateur Western Park Pleasure, Class 43. Judge Sam Sorrell called the gaits in this competitive class, which had four entries. Out of the lineup, Mark Farrar announced the choice of two-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Jazzed Up Lady with owner Lauren Hamilton in the irons. The duo wore the blue streamer and neck ribbon back Cedar Grove. Jazzed Up Lady has earlier season wins at the FAST Spring Showcase, West Tennessee Strawberry Festival and Woodbury Lions Club. Reserve in the class was awarded to World Champion The Holy Roller and Caroline Elliott Allen. This team had wins this year at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show and Woodbury Lions Club show. Third-place on the cards were eight-time World Champion Boston Bay and owner Anne Evans riding for herself and Jocelyn Laughlin.
Class 44A was next on the program, Two-Year-Old Mares. This open class included Futurity nominated Two-Year-Old Performance mares and consisted of 21 entries. Chad Williams served as call judge for this class. The heat turned up as these trainers vied for a good spot on the rail. Coming to an impressive first-place finish, also winning the Futurity in this class, was Hope Of Roses THF and Sam Martin aboard for Travis Hale and Dr. Shannon Harr of McMinnville, Tennessee, and Olive Hill, Kentucky. Sired by Kobe 24 and out of Hope THF, Hope Of Roses THF was a champion this year at the FAST Spring Showcase, the Spring Fun Show and Heart Of A Champion. Wearing the crimson streamer out was TWHYA Summer Splash winner, Justa Lil Lady and Drew Graves riding for Janson Patterson and Heritage Farms. She is sired by Justified Honors and out of I Am The Lady. Walking to the third award was I Am Norma Jean and Casey Wright for Terry Lowman.
The call for Elite Owner-Amateur Gentlemen on Stallions, class 45, brought six entries down the hill. Judge Rollie Beard called the class, which showcased many seasoned world champions and world grand champions. Out of the lineup, two-time World Champion Jurist and owner Jeff Smith of Greer, South Carolina, made the victory lap. Jurist had 2026 wins at the Spring Fun Show and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. The second award went to two-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Kobe 24 and Jimbo Conner. Kobe 24 had 2026 wins at the Spring Fun Show and Waynesville Charity show. Finally, wearing the yellow ribbon was An Executive Privilege with Ben Moss in the irons for Ben Moss and Ron Carney.
Class 44B was next on the program, Two-Year-Old Mares. Twenty entries made their way down the hill, as the honorable Derek Bonner called the gaits in the class. The competition sizzled once more as the trainers and their mares fought to be seen. There was a workout in the class as well. Coming to an impressive first-place finish was Cinderella’s Honor with Tim Smith in the irons for Darrell and Danny Oliver of Alvaton, Kentucky. Sired by Honors and out Cinderella Jose’, Cinderella’s Honor was a champion this year at the Spring Fun Show, Columbia Spring Jubilee and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Wearing the crimson streamer out was Don’t U Even Try and Jerry Graves for Judy Case. Sired by Jimmy Choo and out of Unbridled Eve THF, Don’t U Even Try had 2026 victories at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Woodbury Lions Club. Walking to the third award was Justified Dawn and Colten Atherton for Charles Gleghorn.
Class 46, Owner-Amateur Five & Under Show Pleasure Stallions had 10 entries competing for top honors with Scotty Brooks calling the gaits in the class. Your Attention Pleeze and owner Kent McGary of Nashville ultimately made the ride into the winner’s circle. This was the first world championship for Your Attention Pleeze after winning at Walking For Cancer and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom this year. Reserve awards went to A Brother’s Honor and Bob Adcock, riding for Deb and Bob Adcock. Third in the good class was awarded to They Call Me Carlos and Herschel Blessing.
Next in the program was Class 47, hosted the Owner-Amateur Youth 6-11 on Mares contenders. These young riders competed fiercely and enthusiastically as Judge Brooks called the gaits for the eight entries. In the end, World Champion I Sang Dixie and Ally Jo Jacobs were called out of the lineup to make an impressive blue ribbon ride for the Jacobs Family of Murfreesboro. This was the second year in a row they have won in this division, after victories in 2026 at Walking In The Smokies, the Shelbyville Tennis Club Show and Money Tree Classic. Second place in the good class was earned by World Champion Cheatin’ On Charlie with Otis Hughes in the irons for Kaitlyn Rippy and Otis Hughes. They had wins this year at The Spring Extravaganza and Marshall County Horseman’s Association. Walking to a third-place finish for Floyd and Caryl Sherman was the team of Imagine I Am and Maverick Martin.
The call for class 48, Owner-Amateur Novice Gentleman on Stallions, brought 16 entries into the ring, where Williams called the class. J Brantley played “Way Down upon the Swanee River” as they made their way on the reverse. The competition was fierce, but it was A Great Honor and Ben Weddington who walked to their first Celebration win for Ben and Emily Weddington of Brentwood. They had victories in 2026 at the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival, Shelbyville Tennis Club and Heart Of A Champion. Reserve in the class was awarded to Cowboy Can with Terry Matthews in the irons for Terry and Sabrina Matthews. Taking home the gold ribbon for Mike and Casey Tracy was Chaos SF and Mike Tracy.
Class 49A, Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallions, turned up the heat on the competition as these young horses and their owners vied for a world championship. Beard called the class of 13 as they took to the rail. He’s Walkin Away won this year at Wartrace, and he earned his way to world champion status with Allison Baucom in the irons for owner Billie DeArmond of Lynnville. He is sired by Honors and out of a Walkin All Over mare. Reserve on the cards was Leave It To Choo RFF with owner Sherri Pollack riding. Sired by Jimmy Choo and out of a Titleist mare, Leave It To Choo RFF won at the Marshall County Horseman’s Association earlier in the year. Third place went to Unique and Caryl Sherman for Floyd and Caryl Sherman.
With the night already halfway over, Class 50 hit the rail with 16 entries for Owner-Amateur Park Performance Mares & Geldings competition. With Judge Bonner calling the class, stiff competition was underway for these horse-and-rider teams. The cards were in, and a classic horse, Batman JC, walked to his first World Championship with Dr. Jim Baum. They were called out of the lineup and into the winner’s circle for owner Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, following 2026 victories at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic. Second place in the good class was World Champion Collusion and Sister Milligan up for herself and Jason Joseph. They had wins in 2026 at Walking In The Smokies and The Spring Extravaganza. Wearing the yellow streamer for Teresa Kincaid was Daybreak WTC with Madison Scarborough in the irons.
Class 49B, Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallions, was next to the Big Oval where Judge Brooks called the class of 14. Ol’ Tooter Rooskie earned his way to world champion status and his first blue ribbon with owner Kenny Compton in the irons of Tazewell, Virginia. He is sired by Honors and out of City Girl’s Dream. Reserve on the cards was TWHYA Summer Splash winner, Slick Rick 3A and Ashley Rea for owner Jeanne Ann Rea. Slick Rick 3A is sired by I Am Jose’ out of She’s Serving Time. Third place went to This Is God’s Country and Ashley Case for Judy Case.
Class 51 brought Owner-Amateur 15.2 & Under Stallions down the chute. Competition had really grown fierce for these 12 entries. Sam Sorrell served as the call judge as shouts rang out in the crowd. First on all five of the judges’ cards and earning back-to-back world championships was Kenny Compton, this time aboard I Will Honor Thy Father for Della Gay Compton of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. With wins at the Palmetto Saddle Club and Money Tree Classic in 2026, I Will Honor Thy Father adds this win to two world champion titles and two world grand championship titles. Walking to a reserve finish was two-time World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion Form A Line with owner Carole Baxter in the irons. Their wins this year include the Heart Of Dixie Spring Showcase, FAST Spring Showcase and Spring Fun Show. The third award was given to World Champion A Dark Horse, owned and ridden by Dr. Lynda Brogdon.
Owner-Amateur Youth 6-11 Show Pleasure, Class 52, was next on the program. With seven entries, Judge Williams called the gaits in the class. These young riders showed with everything they had. In the end the honor of world champion status was awarded by unanimous selection to Tee Time Charlie and Ally Jo Jacobs, Jacob second win of the evening. Tee Time Charlie is owned by the Jacobs Family of Murfreesboro and had previously won in 2026 at the WHTA National Trainer’s Show and FAST Spring Showcase. Reserve in the class was awarded to World Champion Top Shelf Toddy and Boston Kate Tillman. Coming in third on the judges’ cards was World Champion Hot Streak and Anna Osbourne for Ben and Emily Weddington.
Class 53 brought Owner-Amateur Youth 15-17 teams into the ring. Judge Beard called the class as the 12 entries got on the rail. Punisher and John Winston Clark walked to the winner’s circle for Barbara Smith and John Winston Clark of Columbus, Mississippi, and Arab, Alabama. After a year of wins at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Red Carpet Show Of The South, Punisher adds this to four world championships. Reserve on the cards was World Champion Sweet Miss Charlie with Jackson Cammack in the irons for Champion Stables. Finally, walking into a third-place finish was Roll On Mississippi and Rylee Nichols for Ted Nichols.
The last class of the night, 54, Walking Stallions, woke up the crowd of late-night spectators. Derek Bonner called the class as 11 trainers entered the ring on their stallions. The best of the best competed in this preliminary to the World Grand Champion stake. Up above, a total lunar eclipse encompassed the moon, drawing the crowd’s attention. For The Celebration fans, this was the best place to be in the world to witness such a spectacular anomaly of nature. After fierce competition, three-time World Champion and three-time World Grand Champion All About Jose and Jeff Laughlin were called out of the lineup to receive the blue. They made the victory pass for Jackie Whatley of Ocala, Florida. Reserve in the class went to FAST Spring Showcase winner, I’m Full Of Honor and John Allan Callaway for Amy Ann Hurst. Finishing in third was Java with Herbert Derickson in the irons for Darrell Oliver.
With the conclusion of the first Thursday, everyone headed out to get some last-minute donuts and some much needed rest. The lunar eclipse faded alongside the crowd. The next night would be “Western Night” in the Big Oval, along with some more stiff competition for “Youth Day” the next morning in Cooper Steel Arena.