By Britney Brown

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – Friday night marks the second world grand championship night at The Celebration. It also has come to be known as Military and First Responder Appreciation Night. The festivities began with the flag being presented by White Diamond Dollar and Vicki Self, posting in the south turn. Then, Tim Brooks of the Christian Ministries Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas, said the invocation, while Jody McBrayer of Franklin sang the national anthem. After this, Mark Farrar announced that it was time for the first of 15 classes here on Friday night to enter the ring. Steve Bowman of Kentucky, the bugler for this 87th Celebration, sounded the call.
Class 175, Owner-Amateur Fine Harness was the first of those world grand championship classes to enter the ring. Judge Grider called the good class of six entries. Competition got underway as they took off at the flat walk. It was In Ted’s Image and Ron Lawrence who made the spotlight ride as the sky turned dusky. In Ted’s Image, sired by Ted Williams, is the 11-time world champion owned by Ron Lawrence of Lenoir City. He came back to wear the tricolor ribbon for the fifth time in this class tonight. In Ted’s Image had wins this year at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Woodbury Lions Club and Red Carpet Show Of The South. Reserve in the class went to Outlier and Barbara Civils at the whip for herself and Dave Coffey of Petersburg. Outlier is sired by Gen’s Black Gin and had his first two world championships this year in both the Owner-Amateur Ladies Fine Harness and Owner-Amateur Gentlemen Fine Harness on Friday and Monday evening, respectively. Coming to receive the third-place award was My Tequila Sunrise with owner Anne Marie Couch driving.

Class 176 brought the Owner-Amateur Youth All Day Pleasure contenders down the hill. Judge Cortner called the class of 14 exhibitors. The competition was stiff in this class as these young riders exhibited all their skill and their horses’ talent. Out of the lineup walked Betrayal with Vivian Woodruff in the irons for Emily Woodruff, Toone and Gassaway of Shelbyville. Betrayal is now a two-time world grand champion and two-time world champion. Sired by Jose’ Jose’, this excellent mare was bred by Laurie Toone. Betrayal won at the Spring Fun Show and Let Freedom Ring in 2025, as well as winning a world championship title in Owner-Amateur Youth 6-11 All Day Pleasure on Saturday morning. Walking to wear the red and gold streamer was the duo of IB Smokin Joe and Tucker Johnson. Four-time World Grand Champion and nine-time World Champion IB Smokin Joe is owned by Tanner and Tucker Johnson of Shelbyville and is sired by Indigo Blue. He had wins this year at the Shelbyville Tennis Club and The International, as he also captured his ninth world championship on Friday morning in Owner-Amateur Youth 12-17 All Day Pleasure. Third in the class went to Failure To Appear and Walker Manis for Gary and Carolyn Pope and Amanda Manis.

Owner-Amateur Country Pleasure Three & Under was next, class 177. The heat turned up as 10 of 10 entries made their way into the ring. Riders took a deep seat and urged their horses into a running walk as Chris Bobo called the gaits in the class. After much deliberation, B. Purdy and Patti Pollack, the owner and rider of Saratoga, California, came out of the lineup to wear the roses by unanimous choice. B. Purdy was bred by Carrie and Spencer Benedict, sired by Omaha and out of A Jazz Man mare. He is undefeated with Pollack this year, with wins at The FAST Spring Showcase, Spring Extravaganza, WHOA Spring Extravaganza, Spring Fun Show, Christmas In July and The International. He won the Maiden championship in 2024 with BJ Richards and earned a unanimous blue with Pollack in their qualifying class on Thursday morning. Taking home reserve to Russell Springs, Kentucky, for Jason and Dr. Shana Hughes was Red Clay Stray and Dr. Shana Hughes. Red Clay Stray is sired by Hurricane Dickie and won at Christmas In July and on Thursday morning in the Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Country Pleasure World Championship. Tied in third on the judges’ cards was Microshock with owner Vicki Moore in the irons.

Next, a special presentation was made to salute the branches of the military: Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force. Veterans and active-duty military were invited to stand as the crowd applauded them. The first responders who all work so hard to keep up both safe and free were applauded, and the various emergency services of Bedford County presented the military flags. The POW and MIA flags were also driven around the ring for those who went missing in war.

Tim Smith was honored as Cavender’s back number, 814, was retired. It would forever belong to the 86th Celebration World Grand Champion.

Class 178 welcomed Weanlings into the ring. One of the youngest horses at The Celebration would earn a world grand championship title tonight. Judge Campbell called the class as 10 foal and handler teams stepped through the gate to “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby.” Wearing the tricolor ribbon and floral horseshoe was Just A Barbie Doll J.R. with Chris Richards leading for Jones and Richards of Manchester and Bell Buckle. Bred by Charles and Christie Sutherland, Just A Barbie Doll J.R. is sired by Justified Honors and out of a Gen’s Black Maverick mare. She made her showring debut on Monday morning, winning the Weanling Fillies World Championship. Reserve went to Honky Tonk Hissy Fit with Beverly Carter at the head for Teel, Washburn and Noe of Fayetteville. Honky Tonk Hissy Fit had wins this year at the Petersburg Colt Show and the Owner-Amateur Weanlings World Championship on Saturday morning. Honky Tonk Hissy Fit is sired by Holyfield out of a Watch It Now mare. Earning their way to a third-place finish was Bit Of Honey and owner Claire Hankins-Kincade.
The Trail Pleasure Three & Under World Grand Championship, class 179, followed. Ross Campbell called the gaits in the class, and all five entries answered the gate call. The competition was exhilarating, but only one contender could wear the roses. In the end, that honor went, by unanimous choice, to Raylan Givens and BJ Richards riding for Wayne and Debbie Simons of Shelbyville. Ryne Parker bred Raylan Givens, who is sired by Justified Honors and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare. Raylan Givens is already a world champion, winning the Two-Year-Old Trail Pleasure class unanimously on Tuesday night, and was the winner of the 2025 Maiden. This was only his third time in the ring and he wore the roses out on Friday night. Second in the class was presented to Lined Up To Bat and Crystal Deputy for Janson Patterson and Heritage Farms of Meridianville, Alabama. A winner at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Walking In The Smokies and Let Freedom Ring, Lined Up To Bat also won the Trail Pleasure Three-Year-Old World Championship on Wednesday morning. Lined Up To Bat is sired by Lined With Cash and out of a Ted Williams mare. Wearing the yellow streamer for Sherri Pollack was three-time World Champion Talkin’ Tennessee and Joe Lester.

Class 180 revved up the excitement even more as the Two-Year-Old Mares entered the ring. Nine of 12 entries answered the gate call. Then they found a good spot on the rail and took off at a flat walk as Robert Cortner called the class. These young mares showcased great talent, but it was the undefeated Capri and Thomas Derickson who dominated. Capri won her split of the Two-Year-Old Mares World Championship on Thursday night, as well as her split of the Owner-Amateur Two-Year Old Mares & Geldings World Championship on Sunday evening. The entry of Maria Bobo of Shelbyville, Capri is sired by Jimmy Choo and out of a He’s Puttin’ On The Ritz mare. She had wins this year at the Spring Extravaganza, Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic. Additionally, this was Thomas Derickson’s second world grand championship ride in this class, with back-to-back victories. Reserve in the class went to the TWHYA Summer Splash winner, Foolish Honor, and John Allan Callaway for Mike and Ginger Young and Jamie Bradshaw of Gadsden and Arab, Alabama. Foolish Honor is sired by Honors out of a Jose’s Intimidator mare. In the third spot on the judges’ cards was A Gossip Girl with Sam Martin in the irons for Dan and Susan Erwin. 

The call came for Owner-Amateur Ponies, class 181. Eight of nine entries came down the hill as David Sisk called the class. This fiercely competitive class excited the crowd as everyone picked a favorite to cheer from the stands. In the end, it was I’m Charlie Black CFF and Dalia Smith-Harr for Kenny Smith of Manchester, Kentucky, who made the victory pass under the spotlight for the second year in a row. A two-time world champion and two-time world grand champion, I’m Charlie Black CFF was the winner this year at the Shelbyville Tennis Club and Marshall County Horseman’s Association, and also earned the world championship in their qualifier on Monday evening. Taking home second-place honors to St. Augustine, Florida, was Bouje’ with owner Dr. Lynda Brogden riding. A winner at Christmas In July this year, Bouje’ won the Owner-Amateur Pony Stallions World Championship on Thursday evening. Walking out of the lineup to receive the third award was Pappy Van Winkle and Kim Butler riding for Bruce and Kim Butler.

A trick horse exhibition followed by Emma Jo Eversole and her horse, Brutus, a five-year-old draft cross gelding, out of a racking mare. Emma Jo thrilled the crowd all the way around the Big Oval, standing in the saddle and doing flips and spins off the side of her faithful mount. The salute to the flag on Patriotic Night followed, with Winky Groover and Command On Parole making a heart-stopping ride around the ring to “Proud to Be an American” sung by Jody McBrayer. He was the lead singer of the Grammy-nominated Christian music group, Avalon, for many years, and now goes all over the world sharing his testimony and singing, which is his passion. This was the many-time World Champion and many-time World Grand Champion Command On Parole’s last show ring appearance as this amazing horse retires to live a life of green pastures and carrots.  

The Susan Gordan Owner-Amateur World Grand Championship was next, class 182. This exciting class brought sportsmanship and horsemanship into the ring in Susan’s honor. Eight entries competed for the roses, while Judge Sisk called the class. Walking under the spotlight and around to receive the award was Maroon 5 and Dr. Jim Baum, riding for Luke Baum of Shelbyville. With this ride, Maroon 5 is now a five-time world grand champion and seven-time world champion. Bred by Ronnie M. Logsdon, he is sired by Jose’ Jose’ and out of a He’s Puttin’ On The Ritz mare. Coming to a reserve finish in the good class was two-time World Champion Jurist and owner Jeff Smith of Greer, South Carolina. Jurist was a winner at The FAST Spring Showcase, Spring Extravaganza, Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic this year. He also walked to his second world championship title in the Elite Owner-Amateur Gentleman on Stallions Thursday evening. Zorro JR and Beth Beasley rode to receive the yellow ribbon for The Beth Beasley Family. 

Class 183 ushered in Owner-Amateur 15.2 & Under. Eleven of 12 entries stepped through the gate as Ross Campbell called the class. Many veteran world champions competed for the tricolor ribbon, and the exhibitors gave it their all. After the cards were tallied, two-time World Champion and World Grand Champion, Form A Line, and Carole Baxter for Carole and Lee Baxter of Alexandria, Louisiana, were crowned world grand champions in the class. Sired by Lined With Cash, Form A Line won this year at the Heart O’ Dixie Spring Showcase and won the qualifier on Thursday night in the Owner-Amateur 15.2 & Under Stallions World Championship. Form A Line was at the front of the line tonight, making a second world grand championship ride. The reserve award was presented to two-time World Champion The Jackalope and Lauren Rader riding for Nathan and Lauren Rader of Mechanicsville, Virginia. The Jackalope was a WHTA National Trainers’ Show and Smoky Mountain Classic winner this year, also winning the Owner-Amateur 15.2 & Under Mares & Geldings World Championship on Tuesday night. Third in the class went to Georgia High Honor with owner Rae Abernathy in the irons.

Class 184 was next on the night’s schedule, Owner-Amateur Youth 6-11 on Mares & Geldings. Eleven of 14 entries came into the ring as Judge Cortner called the class. These young riders were more determined than ever to show their horses. Coming out of the lineup and under the spotlight was the duo of The Comanche and Charleigh Goldman, the owner and rider of Cornersville. Charleigh and The Comanche both made their first spotlight ride tonight. The Comanche, bred by Dr. David Bullock, sired by Jose’ Jose’ and out of an Out On Parole mare, was a winner this year at the Wartrace show, with a reserve world championship in their qualifier on Sunday night. The second-place tie in class went to Da Hoss and Ally Jo Jacobs for The Jake Jacobs Family of Murfreesboro. Da Hoss had wins this season at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Extravaganza, Walking For Cancer and Heart Of A Champion shows; he also won in the Owner-Amateur Youth 6-11 Geldings World Championship last Friday evening. Third-place honors belonged to I’m Shady and Bentlee Baum for Jacob Baum. 

Class 185 was Owner-Amateur Lite-Shod. Robert Cortner called the class of seven entries. These teams each made a great show as they vied for world grand championship honors. The winner in the class, wearing the floral horseshoe back to Unionville by unanimous choice was Roscoe Jenkins with owner Susan Coleman in the irons. Sired by Cash’s Black Jack, Roscoe Jenkins is an 11-time world champion and 13-time world grand champion and is undefeated in Celebration competition. He had wins at the Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic this year, also winning his qualifying class on Monday night. Coming in reserve was three-time World Grand Champion and 11-time World Champion Big Time Bandit and Jacob Baum for Lisa Baum of Shelbyville. Big Time Bandit is sired by The Silver Bandit and won his qualifying class on Monday morning after winning at Christmas In July earlier in the season. The third tie in the good class was Senorita Carmelita and Elese Lewis for the Salt Lick Farm and Elese Lewis. 

Owner-Amateur Show Pleasure, class 186, was next in the program. Judge Bobo called the class of 16 entries., The Honor Code and owner Lisa Baum of Shelbyville wore the tricolor streamer. Sired by Honors and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare, The Honor Code is a four-time world champion, with wins in 2025 at TWHYA Summer Splash and Money Tree Classic. The Honor Code also won the Owner-Amateur Ladies Show Pleasure World Championship last Friday night. This win makes The Honor Code a four-time world grand champion, and he has back-to-back championship rides in this division. The reserve award went to two-time World Champion Cash Agenda and Jimbo Conner for himself and Kyle Hicks of Sevierville. Cash Agenda was a winner this year at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show and Christmas In July. Cash Agenda also won the Owner-Amateur Gentlemen’s Show Pleasure World Championship Monday evening. Charlie Danger and owner/rider Ginger Williams wore the yellow ribbon.

Class 187 brought Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Olds into the Big Oval. Twelve of 12 contenders fought for the world grand championship as Judge Grider called the class. Everyone worked to find a good place on the rail where they could be seen. After much deliberation, it was Tide Pride and Nathan Clark riding for Holland and Clark of Decatur and Arab, Alabama, who made the spotlight ride around, by unanimous choice, to receive the awards. Bred by Robert C. Watkins, Jr., sired by Honors and out of a Lined With Cash mare, Tide Pride is a two-time world champion, with wins at the Walking In The Smokies, TWHYA Summer Splash and Money Tree Classic this year. They won their qualifier on Tuesday night, and this was both Nathan Clark and Tide Pride’s first world grand championship ride. The second-place tie in the class went to Look At Choo and Meghan Hammond for Shamrock Farms of Shelbyville. Sired by Jimmy Choo and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare, Look At Choo had wins at the Spring Fun Show, Money Tree Classic and Marshall County Horseman’s Association this year. Taking the third-place for David and Theresa Williams was World Grand Champion and two-time World Champion Far Above Rubies and Buie Williams. 

Owner-Amateur Youth Trail Pleasure came down the hill next, class 188. Judge Sisk called the class of nine entries. Sweet Walking Matilda and owner Ally Jo Jacobs of Murfreesboro made the spotlight ride by the unanimous decision of the judging panel. Sweet Walking Matilda is a two-time world grand champion and six-time world champion, and won the Trail Pleasure Four & Five-Year Old World Championship on Thursday morning with trainer, Laurie Toone, and the Owner-Amateur Youth 6-11 Trail Pleasure with Ally Jo on Saturday Morning after an undefeated season of wins at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Walking In The Smokies and Let Freedom Ring. This was the second world grand championship ride for Ally Jo, and her first since the Lead Line World Grand Championship. Second in the class was presented to World Grand Champion and five-time World Champion Imagine Dragons and Caroline Stanley riding for Jennifer Stanley of Cynthiana, Kentucky. The Owner-Amateur Youth 12-17 Western Trail Pleasure world champion from Friday morning, Imagine Dragons had wins this year at The FAST Spring Showcase, The Southern Belle, Spring Extravaganza, Spring Fun Show, Let Freedom Ring and the Money Tree Classic. Finishing with third was the accomplished duo of Miss Sarah Allen with Lexi Nelms in the irons. 

The bugle call came for the last class of the night, the long anticipated Four-Year-Old (Canter) World Grand Championship. Class 189 came down the hill with the crowd clapping along to “Rocky Top.” All five contenders stepped through the gate as Judge Cortner called the good class. The crowd roared with excitement as these horse and trainer teams exhibited the dedication they’ve put in over the last year. The crowd finally quieted as the spotlight searched for a winner. Out of the lineup came Ohtani and John Allan Callaway to wear the roses. The entry of Rolling Hills Farm and Dr. Barbara Moersch of Jacksonville, Alabama, Ohtani is sired by Honors out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare. He was bred by Delrick Properties L.L.C. and Rick Compton. He won the Four-Year-Old Stalions World Championship on Sunday night and earned the Three-Year-Old World Championship and World Grand Championship in 2024. The duo won this year at The FAST Spring Showcase, Columbia Spring Jubilee and Let Freedom Ring. Walking around to receive the reserve world grand championship was Spotlight On Jose’ 4G with Bill Callaway in the irons for Bob Adcock of Lititz, Pennsylvania. Sired by Jose’ Jose’ and out of a Gen’s Black Gin mare, Spotlight On Jose’ 4G won this year at the Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic. He is also a two-time world champion. Finally, No Apology and Sam Martin wore the yellow streamer out for Brad Tuttle and Randall Bryden.

Friday night ended, but spectators and exhibitors alike still rode the high of world grand championships and an evening full of patriotism. Folks took pictures on the bricks late into the night. The last day of competition is set for Saturday (tomorrow), and the bittersweet ending to it all drew near. However, this evening was for memories to be fondly recalled, and victories both old and new to be celebrated.