Hat Night and aged stallion splits causes a commotion 
By Britney Brown

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn.— The first Saturday night of The Celebration is the preliminary to the big stake night where the Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse of the world is crowned. The first Saturday night is the main qualifier to see who will show back for that special honor. In addition to this, the Lead Line World Grand Championship and the Yearling World Grand Championship usher in the first spotlight rides of The Celebration. Competition got underway at precisely 7PM with Mark Farrar announcing the flag bearers, White Diamond Dollar and Vicki Self. After the colors were posted in the north turn, Jimmy West of the Edgemont Baptist Church said the invocation. The Cavaliers of Shelbyville sang the national anthem.

Excited parents and grandparents filed into the stands to watch the first of 12 classes on the night’s schedule. Class 90 was the Lead Line World Grand Championship. These tiny tots sat up straight and tall in their little saddles as the handlers led them around the ring. Seven entries answered the gate call to J Brantley playing “It’s a Small World after All,” and Judge Bobo called the good class. Making that victory pass by unanimous choice to wear the tricolor ribbon was The Silver Lining and owner McKinley Cutshaw with Danielle Cutshaw, the handler of Greeneville. The Silver Lining and McKinley are undefeated in lead line competition this year, winning at Columbia Spring Jubilee, Christmas In July and Heart Of A Champion. The reserve honor went to The Kickin’ Chicken and Olivia Stembridge, the owner/rider of Shelbyville, with Jennifer Stembridge at the lead. They had wins at the Shelbyville Tennis Club and the Cornersville Lions Club shows earlier this year. Earning the third-place position was The Leading Man and Harold Simons, the owner and rider with Ashtyn Moore at the head.

Class 91 ushered in the contenders for the Yearling World Grand Championship. Seven entries made the gate call to contend for the third floral horseshoe of this year. Judge Bobo lined them up head-to-tail on the east rail. Out of the lineup and walking to wear the roses was Rhythm Nation with Robert Nelms at the lead for Janson Patterson of Meridianville, Alabama Sired by Justified Honors and out of a Push U Over mare, Rhythm Nation adds this to championships at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show, Christmas In July, Let Freedom Ring, the Fall Yearlings Futurity class on Wednesday night and the preliminary world championship on Friday Morning. Reserve world grand champion in the class was Clarabel Chugga Choo Choo and Beverly Carter leading for MaKayla Jennings of Jamestown. Sired by Jimmy Choo and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare, Clarabel Chugga Choo Choo has had a successful show career already. With two weanling world championships and the weanling world grand championship title in 2024, she continued her success in 2025 with wins at The International, and two world championships at The Celebration on Wednesday night and Friday Morning. Taking home the third award was Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa and Chris Richards for Bobby Jones and Dr. Roger Richards of Manchester and Bell Buckle. 

A break in the classes allowed John Garret Burton, aged 17, to give an equitation exhibition under the spotlight after his world grand championship Saturday morning. Burton is from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and is a senior in high school. His grandmother put him on his first horse when he was seven. He began working with Leigh Stuart. When he decided to get serious about showing, they went to Bobby Hugh Stables and purchased Jose’s Bandito. He was the first male to win an equitation award at the Celebration in 2022. 

Owner-Amateur Novice Youth 12-17, class 92, was next. Of the 22 entries, 16 made the gate call as Judge Bobo called the gaits in the class. Competition was heated as riders and horses vied for their first world championship. In the end The Copperhead Road and Ella Grace Healon for Mark Healon of Sumter, South Carolina, were called out of the lineup to wear the blue streamer and neck ribbon. They have had an exciting year winning at Christmas In July. The Copperhead Road is sired by I’m Copperfield. Taking home reserve to Florence, Alabama, was Super Time Charlie and owner Grace Tucker for Lee and Kelly Stultz. Sired by Walk Time Charlie, Super Time Charlie won at the Sticky City Classic and the Northside Lions Club shows. In third place on the judges’ cards was the team of Chris Kyle and Brianna Rutlege, the owner and up.

The call came for class 93, Owner-Amateur Ladies on Geldings. Judge Campbell was the call judge for the big class of 16. Several former world champions and reserve world champions crowded into the Big Oval to compete. The ladies in the class were poised and determined as they took a deep seat and showed their horses at a running walk. TN Lineman and Debbie Marbry were tied for first, taking home the world championship title to Shelbyville. Sired by The Dixie Lineman, World Grand Champion and two-time World Champion TN Lineman adds this world championship to awards at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Upper Cumberland, Columbia Spring Jubilee, Walking For The Angels and Wartrace from earlier this year. Second on the judges’ cards was the 2023 world champion in this division, Ole Rocky Top, and Lilly Ridley for Alan Riddley of Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Sired by Honors, Ole Rocky Top won at Walking In The Smokies this year. Wearing the yellow streamer out of the lineup was He's For Real with Jennifer Bingham for The Gerald Childers Family and Jennifer Bingham.
Class 94A was the first of the highly anticipated Three-Year-Old Mares split. This class included Futurity nominated Three-Year-Old Performance Mares. Of 22 entries on the program, 15 came down the hill. Judge Cortner was the call judge for this densely packed class. The trainers fought to be seen as cheers erupted throughout the ring. Taking home first-place honors in the good class was Far Above Rubies with Thomas Derickson aboard for David and Theresa Williams of Shelbyville. Far Above Rubies adds this to her 2025 TWHBEA National Futurity Three-Year-Old Mare Championship. She is sired by Jose’ Jose’ and out of A Specialist mare. Earlier this year, she won with Buie Williams at Let Freedom Ring, and she was the Two-Year-Old World Grand Champion and TWHBEA National Futurity Two-Year-Old Mare Champion in 2024. The reserve world champion was Paraiso THF and Casey Wright riding for Rick Ferguson of Randolph, Mississippi. Sired by I Am Jose’ and out of a He’s Puttin’ On The Ritz mare, Paraiso THF has had a successful show season with blues at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and the Money Tree Classic. The third-place award was earned by the team of Gun Shy LFF and Ryan Blackburn for Dr. David Bullock.

Class 95 brought the young riders back into the ring with Owner-Amateur Youth 6-14 on Ponies. Judge Sisk called the class once the seven entries were in the ring. The young riders held nothing back as they kicked their horses up into a flat walk and strode around the ring. The competition was fierce. This time, the world championship went to I Am March Madness and Ryder Wright riding for himself and Debbie Woods. I Am March Madness adds this to wins at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show and his Three-Year-Old Stallions World Championship from 2022. Second out of the lineup was Duracell CF and John Winston Clark, the owner and up, of Arab, Alabama. They have had a year of wins at Christmas In July and the Red Carpet Show Of The South. This was Duracell CF’s first year showing at The Celebration. Third place in the good class was awarded to the 2023 and 2024 champion in the class, The Ultimate Honor and Jack Harney for The Justin Harney Family. 
Then, it was time for Class 94, the B split of Three-Year-Old Mares. Trainers switched gears, many hopping from one horse onto another in the span of a few minutes. Sixteen of 21 mares entered came down the hill. Judge Grider was the call judge as the big class got underway at a flat walk. These teams showcased their talent and dug in deep with every step. After the cards were tallied, Miss Lizzie McGuire and Tim Smith made the victory ride for Bruce and Robin MacDonald of Shelbyville. Sired by Honors and out of a Gameworld mare, Miss Lizzie McGuire adds this to wins at the TWHYA Summer Splash, Let Freedom Ring and the Marshall County Horseman’s Association. Earning a reserve world championship was Trophy Girl with Sam Martin in the irons for Dan and Susan Erwin of Olive Hill, Kentucky. A winner at Walking In The Smokies this year, Trophy Girl won the Two-Year-Old Mare World Championship in 2024. The yellow streamer was worn out by The Honor Student with Tyler Baucom riding for Ronnie Logsdon. Coincidentally, all three of these top-finishing mares were sired by Honors. 

Class 96 was Owner-Amateur Novice Ladies on Stallions competition. Excited to compete for their first world championship, 14 entries made the gate call. Judge Bobo called the class as these ladies vied for their first world championship ride. J Brantley played “Hey Good Lookin’” as they went on the reverse. Smiling into the lineup, the riders waited patiently for the judges’ decision. Finally, it was Celebration veteran, Auggi, and Lauren Landers who were called to the winner’s circle for Eastridge and Landers of Columbia, Kentucky and Shelbyville. Walking to a reserve finish were winners at the Smoky Mountain Classic and Walking For Youth this year, Shady In General and Jacklyn Upchurch, owner and up, of Jamestown. Walk Time Master with Dr. Renee Ross, the owner and rider, took third. 

Next was Owner-Amateur Youth 12-17 Show Pleasure, class 97. Now well into the latter half of Saturday night, everyone cheered these young riders on as 10 of the 16 entries came through the starting gate. Competition revved as the horse and riders teams worked to be seen by the judges. Once Ross Campbell was done calling the class, they went to the lineup where Smoky Mountain Squire and owner Ivy Freeman of Ivanhoe, Virginia made the victory pass by unanimous choice. Smoky Mountain Squire was the Novice Show Pleasure World Champion in 2023. Smoky Mountain Squire and Ivy Freeman added this blue on Saturday night to a series of wins in 2025 at Walking In The Smokies, Columbia Spring Jubilee and the Woodbury Lions Club. Stepping to reserve was a winner at the Stick City Classic this year was Swish The Net with John Winston Clark. Clark is the owner and up of Arab, Alabama. Third in the good class was given to Master’s Cool Jazz and Rylee Nichols for Glenda Nichols.

Class 98, Owner-Amateur Novice Gentleman on Mares & Geldings, brought 14 of 20 entries down the hill to compete for their first world championship. The gentlemen were stoic as they circled the ring at a flat walk and Judge Cortner called the class. They showed their mounts with utmost intensity. Only one could take first, however, and that title went to I’m A Dixie Diva, who took home a blue ribbon at Walking For Cancer this year. Will Derickson was in the irons for this win for Maria Bobo of Shelbyville. Mr. General Lee and Austin Young walked to a reserve finish for Mike and Ginger Young of Gadsden, Alabama. Wearing the yellow streamer around the ring and out the exit gate was He’s Whisky Cavalier with Hayden Price in the irons for Bruce and Kim Butler and Hayden Price.

Next, everyone got immensely excited for 99A, the first of the Walking Stallions, Five Years & Over (Canter). This was the first of the splits that would be a prelude to next Saturday night. The horses, trainers and grooms in these two classes have worked all year for this moment. Five entries came down the hill to J Brantley playing “Flat Walk Boogie,” in tried-and-true Celebration fashion. Applause erupted as the aged stallions started down the rail at a flat walk with Brent Grider as the call judge. The competition was downright fierce, but Jura THF and Michael Wright dominated the class. Sired by Jose’ Jose’ and out of a Ted Williams mare, Jura THF had wins this year at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show and Money Tree Classic for owner Darrell Oliver of Bowling Green, Kentucky. He was reserve in the Four-Year-Old Stallions class last year and came back this year to unanimously win this world championship. Reserve in the class was awarded Honky Tonk and John Allan Callaway were reserve in the class for Alan Riddley of Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Honky Tonk had wins at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Woodbury Lions Club shows this year and were the 2022 Two-Year-Old Stallions World Champion, 2023 Three-Year-Old Stallions world champion and world grand champion and 2024 Four-Year-Old Stallions world champion. He is sired by Honors and out of an I’m Dumas Walker mare. In the third slot on the judges’ cards was 2024 Four-Year-Old World Grand Champion, My Addiction, with RM Kellett in the irons for Mr. and Mrs. Howard Eastridge.

In the interim between classes, the reigning World Grand Champion, Cavender, and Tim Smith entered the ring for an exhibition. He won the world champion in the A division of aged stallions a year ago on Saturday night, then a week later, he was crowned the 2024 Walking Horse World Grand Champion. He was purchased from the Abernathy Colt Preview in 2021. Later, he was added to the extensive show string of Robin and Bruce MacDonald. “He was great out the gate, so, yes, he’s been bold, brave and special since day one,” said Smith.

The fun was not over yet. Mark Farrar called for the last class of Saturday night, class 99B. This second split of the Five & Over Spilt B (Canter) ushered six of seven entries into the ring. “Flat Walk Boogie” played again as Judge Bobo prepared to call the gaits in the class. These trainers were equally dedicated and vied for first place honors with every ounce of determination and grit they had. In the end, Mark Farrar’s voice rang out over the quieted crowd to say that Justified Honors and John Allan Callaway had won the class unanimously for Lisa Baum of Shelbyville. Sired by Honors, Justified Honors is already a legendary sire and a legend in the winner’s circle as the 2021, 2022 and 2023 World Grand Champion. He also won the B split of the Five & Over Stallions world championship a year ago on this first Saturday night. With this win they retire the Dark Spirit Memorial Challenge Trophy. Earning their way to a reserve world championship in the excellent class was A’Mighty Gin and Mickey McCormick riding for Mike Floyd of Columbia. A’Mighty Gin, sired by Gen A’Mighty is a champion already, with wins at the Cullman County Classic, Walking For Cancer, Walking For The Angels and Wartrace shows. Charles Lindbergh 4G and Thomas Derickson rode out with the third-place award for Keith and Angela Hayes.  

The adrenaline rush of the first Saturday night died down as spectators exited the stands, and grooms took the horses back to their stalls for some well-deserved rest. Sunday morning would bring the annual golf tournament, then at noon, the annual Celebration Dog Show would commence. Later, at 5:30PM, Sunday worship service would be held in the Big Oval before classes started at 7PM.