Two-Year-Old Stallions draw a crowd on Fan Appreciation Night
By Britney Brown

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The Monday and Tuesday night sessions of the Celebration have long been known as Dollar Nights, where tickets and select concessions are only $1. This Celebration continued the tradition. Temperatures dropped for what promised to be another cool night. Opening ceremonies commenced at exactly 7PM, when Mark Farrar announced White Diamond Dollar, bearing the flag with Vicki Self riding. Larry Christman of the Bright’s Temple Church of God and Christ gave the invocation, and Stephanie Sarsfield of Bell Buckle sang the national anthem.

Class 124 was the first of 16 classes on the Monday night schedule, Owner-Amateur Gentlemen Fine Harness. Five of seven entries came down the hill before the gate was closed. Judge Sisk called the class of distinguished drivers and their horses. These horses were a testament to the diversity and talent that the breed possesses. As they lined up on the west rail, the judges’ cards were tallied. At the top and making their way around the Big Oval to a world champion finish were Outlier and Dave Coffey driving for Barbara Civils of Petersburg. Sired by Gen’s Black Gin, Outlier won Friday evening with Barbara Civils aboard in the Ladies Fine Harness division, and came back to win it with her brother, Dave. Reserve honors went to the team of Fruit Jar Alley and Rollie Beard for Jeff Price and Rollie Beard of Arlington and Lewisburg. Fruit Jar Alley won this year at the Cornersville Lions Club. Wearing the yellow ribbon to the exit gate was Mr. October CTF with John Fikes at the whip for himself and Chet Mills.

Owner-Amateur Western Country Pleasure, class 125, was next on the program. Eleven of 13 entries answered the gate call, taking to the rail at a flat walk. Judge Bobo called the good class as the horse and rider teams stepped up to a running walk, shaking their heads to J Brantley’s rendition of “Oh, Susanna.” Out of the lineup walked the Wednesday morning Owner-Amateur English Country Pleasure World Champion. Two-time World Grand Champion and five-time World Champion Jose’s Twist Of Gin with Patti Pollack, the owner and up of Saratoga, California, made the good ride around and into the winner’s circle. Jose’s Twist Of Gin adds this to wins at The Phoenix, the WHOA Spring Extravaganza, Walking For The Angels, Woodbury Lions Club and The International earlier this season. Wearing the crimson streamer back to Greenville, Kentucky was Luciano and LaMar DePoyster. Sired by Jose’ Jose’, Luciano is a four-time world grand champion and a five-time world champion, winning at the Spring Fun Show earlier this year. Walking out of the lineup to accept the third-place award was King Mojo and owner/rider Kathy Anderson.

Class 126 ushered in the exciting class of Owner-Amateur Ponies, Mares & Geldings. Of the 22 entries, 12 came into the ring where Judge Campbell called the gaits in the class. The competition was downright fierce, as the riders “let ‘em walk on.” However, it was the world champion and world grand champion in this class in 2024, I’m Charlie Black CFF, who dominated. Dr. Dalia Smith-Harr rode for Kenny Smith of Manchester, Kentucky, earning a unanimous first-place ride after wins at Shelbyville Tennis Club and Marshall County Horseman’s Association this year. In second place on the judges’ cards was Pappy Van Winkle and Kim Butler. Pappy Van Winkle is the entry of Bruce and Kim Butler of Morehead, Kentucky, and had wins at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Red Carpet Show Of The South this season. Taking home third was I Am Bold And Spicy Jose’ with owner Connie Hess in the irons. 

Next was the class everyone had been patiently awaiting: Two-Year-Old Stallions. Class 128A was the first of three splits in this massive division. This included Futurity nominated Two-Year-Old Performance Stallions. Judge Grider was the call judge for this first section. Eleven of 21 entries came down the hill and found a good spot on the rail as they went underway at a flat walk. Many of these young horses had just as much energy and skill as their aged counterparts. Only one could take home world champion honors and thus become a favorite for the Two-Year-Old World Grand Championship on Thursday night. Making that good ride was Rival and Tim Smith for Holland, Clark and Hale of Decatur and Arab, Alabama and McMinnville, Tennessee. This world championship followed Rival’s win at the Marshall County Horseman’s Association. He also won the Futurity tricolor ribbon for Two-Year-Old Performance Stallions. Rival is sired by Justified Honors and out of a Dragonfly mare. Wearing the crimson streamer in the class was Honor Amongst Thieves and Bill Callaway riding for Bob Adcock of Lititz, Pennsylvania. A winner at the Marshall County Horseman’s Association, Honor Amongst Thieves is sired by Honors and is out of an All American Cash mare. Benjamin SBS and Keith Blackburn rode out of the lineup for Spencer and Carrie Benedict to a third-place finish.

Owner-Amateur Five-Year-Old Stallions was up after that, class 127. Sixteen of 21 entries came in to ride for the championship, where Robert Cortner called the class. Many of these stallions had world championships in their resumes already. Owners took the reins and found a good spot on the rail to show their horses at the flat walk. In the end, Slim And Hot and Sister Milligan, the owner and up of Panama City, Florida, wore the blue streamer and neck ribbon. World Grand Champion and two-time World Champion Slim And Hot added this win to a year of success at The FAST Spring Showcase and Walking In The Smokies. Second in the good class was Hotty Toddy Gosh A’Mighty with owner Greg Kiser of Rosedale, Virginia, riding. Sired by Gen A’Mighty, Hotty Toddy Gosh A’Mighty won at Walking In The Smokies and the Columbia Spring Jubilee this season. In the third-place spot on the judges’ cards was the duo of Sweet Black Gin and Lorraine Rosbury, the entry of Keith and Lorraine Rosbury.
Class 128B switched gears back to the Two-Year-Old Stallions. Judge Sisk called the class of 12 entries. This second spit promised to be just a riveting as the first split. Going on the reverse, trainers took a deep seat and geared their young stallions up to a running walk around the Big Oval. Finally lining up in the south turn, everyone waited for the judges’ cards to be tallied, uncertain of who won the big class. Sho-Time and Casey Wright were called out of the lineup to wear the blue streamer and neck ribbon for Bob Kilgore of Shelbyville. Sired by Honors and out of a He’s Puttin’ On The Ritz mare, Sho-Time won this year at the Let Freedom Ring show. Coming to a reserve finish was the popular team of Reacher and Sam Martin riding for Floyd and Caryl Sherman of Shelbyville. Reacher is sired by Honors and out of A Jazz Man mare, with awards this year from the Woodbury Lions Club. Walking around and taking the third-place spot was Malone and Tim Smith for Bruce and Robin MacDonald.

Class 129 allowed for some time in-between sections. Owner-Amateur Five-Year Old Mares & Geldings didn’t skimp on the excitement, however. Fourteen of 23 entries made their way into the class. Ross Campbell was the call judge as stiff competition got underway. Dominating the class was the duo of Jimmer’s Country Girl and Carole Baxter, who wore the blue for Carole and Lee Baxter of Alexandria, Louisiana. Three-time World Champion Jimmer’s Country Girl won this year at the Heart O’ Dixie Spring Showcase. Earning their way to reserve world champion status was Polly Gray with Dr. Lynda Brogdon, the owner and up of St. Augustine, Florida. Walking out to receive the third award was Time To Be Glamorous THF and Stephanie Cagle for Carly Cagle.

The final split of Two-Year-Old Stallions, Class 128C, came down the hill. Judge Bobo called the class as 11 of 22 entries came into the ring. These trainers were determined to take home the world championship in the final split. Sinking deep in their seats, they asked their two-year-old horses to go at a running walk once more. Cheers erupted around the ring on the way to the lineup. This time, it was Midnight Mafia and Sam Martin who made the victory pass by unanimous choice for Bob Medina of Skillman, New Jersey. Sired by He’s Slim Shady and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare, Midnight Mafia won his debut two-year-old class at Christmas In July. In the reserve spot was Iceman and John Allan Callaway for Mike and Ginger Young of Gadsden, Alabama. Iceman is sired by Honors and is out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare and has wins this year at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and the Money Tree Classic. Third on the cards and walking out with the yellow streamer was Seger with Charlie Green riding for Alan Riddley.

Now it was on to Class 130, 15.2 & Under Stallions. Many of the horses in this class were world champions, and some even world grand champions. Eleven of 27 entries answered the gate call, and Judge Cortner called the gaits in the good class. After the scores were in, a hush fell over the crowd. Taking home the blue to Murfreesboro for Shane Porterfield was I Am Mighty Jose’ with Charlie Green riding. He won this class in 2020, 2023 and now again in 2025. With two world grand championships and four world championships, I Am Mighty Jose’, who is sired by I Am Jose’, had an admirable year with wins at Walking In The Smokies, Woodbury Lions Club and Heart Of A Champion. Reserve honors went to the duo of Millionaire’s Row and Bill Callaway, in the irons for Jackie Greenwalt of Brownsville, Kentucky. Millionaire’s Row was a winner at the Spring Fun Show and Marshall County Horseman’s Association earlier this year. Finally, rounding out the class with third place was I’m Rick James and Mickey McCormick for Lisa Baum. 

The call came for class 131, Owner-Amateur Gentleman Show Pleasure. Fourteen entered the ring to vie for a world championship. Judge Grider called the big class while they got underway at the flat walk.. Out of the lineup walked Cash Agenda with Jimbo Conner riding for himself and Kyle Hicks of Sevierville. Cash Agenda repeated his world championship in this class from 2024 and won earlier this season at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show and the Spring Fun Show. Taking home reserve to Laurel, Mississippi, for Ben Moss and Ron Carney was YS Fly Like An Eagle with Moss in the irons. YS Fly Like An Eagle had wins this year at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, the Spring Extravaganza, Walking For Cancer and the Red Carpet Show Of The South. Whistlin’ Dixie AL and Dustin Smith rode to the third award for Suzanne Reynolds, Dustin Smith and Trista Caudill. 

Class 134A was Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares & Geldings. Judge Campbell called the class of 13 entries. With the competition revving, these team fought to find a good spot on the rail to be seen by the judges. Taking the world championship in this first split of the division was Far Above Rubies and Buie Williams riding for David and Theresa Williams of Shelbyville. Far Above Rubies, affectionately known as “Ruby,” was the Two-Year-Old Mares World Grand Champion in 2024, and came back to win the Three-Year-Old Mares World Championship on Saturday night with Thomas Derickson. She also won this year with Buie Williams at the Let Freedom Ring show. Reserve in the good class was Oh So Jose’ and Howard Eastridge. Oh So Jose’ is the entry of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Eastridge of Columbia, Kentucky, and had wins this season at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Christmas In July shows. Third in the class were Commanding The Legacy with Caryl Sherman in the irons for Floyd and Caryl Sherman

Class 132 brought Elite Owner-Amateur Ladies on Stallions to the ring. Seven entries answered the gate call. These ladies showed their horses with sophisticated charm and elegance. Once David Sisk finished calling the good class, the cards were brought to center ring to be tallied. The world champion honors were presented by unanimous choice to All About Jose’ and Jackie Whatley, the owner and up of Ocala, Florida. Three-time world grand champion and two-time world champion All About Jose’ won this year at the Spring Fun Show and Christmas In July. In second position was The Night King with owner Alecia Avent in the irons. The Night King had wins this season at Let Freedom Ring and the Cornersville Lions Club. Taking the third award was We Will Rock You and Chris Hutchinson riding for Edwin and Chris Hutchinson. 

Class 134, the B section of Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares & Geldings came next with 13 of 18 entries answering the gate call, and Robert Cortner called the gaits in the class. The crowd lit up, picking favorites as they made their way around the ring. In the end, it was Swanky L and Jacie Booth, the owner and up of Murfreesboro, who were called out of the lineup to wear the blue. Swanky L won at the TWHYA Summer Splash earlier in the year. There, he caught the eye of Jacie Booth, who added him to her show string. Reserve honors in the good class went to Trophy Girl and Susan Erwin riding for Dan and Susan Erwin of Olive Hill, Kentucky. Also sired by Honors, Trophy Girl is out of a Lined With Cash mare and walked to a Two-Year-Old Mare World Championship in 2024. Wearing the yellow streamer in the good class was The Honor Student and Ruth Logsdon for Ronnie Logsdon. 

Owner-Amateur Mares & Geldings was class 133 on the program. Of the 25 entries, eight made the gate call, and Chris Bobo called the class. Winning the good class by unanimous choice was six-time World Champion Gotcha Jose’ and Dr. Brittany Baum for Jacob and Dr. Brittany Baum of Shelbyville. This team has won this class in 2022, 2023, 2024 and now 2025. Second place in the good class went to Miss Stone’s Cash and Lynda Botch riding for Noel Botsch of Oak Ridge, Missouri. Miss Stone’s Cash is a two-time world champion, with wins this year at the Spring Extravaganza and the Money Tree Classic. Walking out of the lineup to receive the third award was Ultra Grey Pistol and Elese Lewis for Salt Lick Farm and Elese Lewis. 
The night was not over yet! The C division of 134, Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares & Geldings came in the ring as Brent Grider called the class. Fourteen of 21 entries answered the gate call and took off at a flat walk. Into the winner’s circle came Happily Ever After and Nathan Oliver riding for Danny Oliver of Alvaton, Kentucky. A world champion two-year-old in 2024, Happily Ever After won this year at the Shelbyville Tennis Club show and is sired by Lined With Cash. Reserve in the class was awarded to Ultra Pink Pistol and Elese Lewis for Salt Lick Farm and Elese Lewis of Salt Lick, Kentucky. A world champion two-year-old in 2024 as well, Ultra Pink Pistol won this season at Walking For Youth and Heart Of A Champion. Earning the third-place ribbon was Oh I Am and Dr. David Bullock for Alan Riddley.

The final class on Monday night was 135, Experienced Trainers. Judge Sisk called the class as nine entries walked down the hill a few minutes after 11PM. The crowd became ecstatic when they turned them loose at the running walk. After much deliberation, the judges came to a decision. First place in the class belonged to Switchblade FSS and Sam Martin for Jacobs and McWaters of Murfreesboro. Switchblade FSS is a world champion and has wins at the Spring Extravaganza, Columbia Spring Jubilee and Woodbury Lions Club with Ally Jo Jacobs. Second in the class was I’m Full Of Honor with John Allan Callaway in the irons for Mike McCormick and Amy Ann Hurst of Auburn, Alabama and Fayetteville, Tennessee. I’m Full Of Honor won this year at the Spring Extravaganza, Spring Fun Show and Red Carpet Show Of The South. Walking around to receive the yellow streamer was I’m Ole Red and Jamie Lawrence riding for Pam Rossman.  

The huge lineup of Monday night classes had concluded. Tuesday night would also feature $1 admission and select $1 concessions. Most of all, Tuesday night would bring even more thrilling classes into the Big Oval as the week progressed. Park Pleasure, Park Performance and 15.2 & Under horses would make world championship rides. The Monday night festivities wound down as spectators made a last-minute donut stop and filed out, going their separate ways until tomorrow night at 7PM.