By Sara Watts
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. —Friday morning at the Celebration continued a longstanding tradition of putting youth competitors in the spotlight. Young exhibitors made up the majority of those coming through the gate, with riders and handlers ranging in age from 6 to 17. With Travis Olinger handling the announcements, the 15-class session got underway promptly at 9 a.m. with a mix of youth, pleasure and halter competition.
Class 55, Model Pleasure Geldings, was first on the program, with all nine entries answering the gate call and Scotty Brooks serving as call judge. Promise Keeper and Robert Nelms walked away with the World Championship for Lisa Teel of Fayetteville. Sired by Walk Time Charlie and out of a Broken Promises mare, Promise Keeper entered the Celebration following an earlier-season win at the Belfast Lions Club Horse Show. The title added to previous World Championships earned in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2024. Magnificent THF and Justin Miller earned reserve honors for Leigh Anne Gregory after collecting 2026 wins at the WHOA Spring Extravaganza, BPWHA Brodhead show and The International. A Blaze Of Honor and Rachel Rymer rounded out the top three for Sister Milligan.
Class 56 brought the first of many youth divisions with Owner-Amateur Novice Youth 6-17 on Novice Mares & Geldings. Nine of the 10 entries answered the gate call with Sam Sorrell serving as call judge. Hippie Chick SF and Kaylee Smith earned the trip to the winner’s circle. Sired by Walk Time Charlie, Hippie Chick SF is the entry of Laci Mathews and Kaylee Smith. Drivin All Knight and Hadley Thomas earned reserve honors for Justin Thomas. Drivin All Knight has been busy throughout the season, earning 10 wins at six shows. New Boot Goofin and Briar Richards completed the top three.
The Owner-Amateur English Park Pleasure class was next on the program. Chad Williams served as call judge as two of the seven entered horse-and-rider teams made the gate call. Just Jose It and Jamie Gardner of Culleoka received the unanimous nod for the blue. The victory added another World Championship to Just Jose It’s record after previously earning the title in 2022. Jacalyn Gardner directed the contender to a win at the Wartrace Horse Show just a few weeks before the Celebration. I Am 2 Be Feared and Dale Steinmetz earned reserve for the partnership of Dr. John Gladney and Steinmetz. Before his passing, Darden Gladney opened I Am 2 Be Feared’s 2026 season with a victory at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show.
Owner-Amateur Novice Five & Under Trail Pleasure contenders made up class 58, with eight of the 10 entries answering the gate call. The young horses lined up head-to-tail on the south side following the competition. Several had already made appearances during Wednesday night’s session, including Rhythm Nation, who returned to the winner’s circle with Robert Nelms for Janson Patterson of Meridianville, Alabama. Sired by Justified Honors and out of a Push U Over mare, Rhythm Nation added the title to a World Championship earned in the National Futurity Fall Yearlings on Wednesday night. The contender also boasts 2026 wins at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show, Christmas In July and Let Freedom Ring. Revival Resurrection and Beverly Carter earned reserve for Ted E. Nelms and Revival Syndicate of Cornersville. The colt, by Jose’ Revival and out of a Gen’s Black Gin mare, entered the Celebration with wins at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Woodbury Lions Club shows. Dizzy Dean RW and Marty Warren took third for Steve and Denise Smith.
Owner-Amateur Novice Five & Under Trail Pleasure competition continued in the next class, with nine of the 11 programmed entries making the gate call and Rollie Beard serving as call judge. Daddy’s Senorita and Dennis Hills were novices no longer after their performance earned the blue ribbon and victory pass for Dennis and Susan Hills. The team entered the Celebration following wins at Germantown Charity and The International. A Sniper and owner Abbie Warren earned reserve after also claiming a strong second-place finish at The International. Blue Strips and Jeanne Bourdou rounded out the top three.
Yearling Fillies & Geldings were next to take center stage, with six of the 10 entered making the gate call as Derek Bonner served as call judge. Robert Nelms made another trip to victory lane, this time leading Ali Larter for Rocky Bowden of College Grove. The win kept the team undefeated following victories at the Belfast Lions Club and Wartrace shows. Ali Larter is by Walk Time Charlie and out of a Black Diamond Ritz mare. Just A Barbie Doll JR and Chris Richards earned reserve for the partnership of Bobby Joe Jones and Dr. Roger Richards. The filly entered the class as the 2025 Weanling World Grand Champion. She’s High Class and Beverly Carter took third for Nic Linder.
Owner-Amateur Novice All Day Pleasure contenders were up next in class 60, with 14 of the 17 registered teams answering the gate call as Scotty Brooks put them through the gaits. Theresa Williams and Luchador emerged as the new World Champions. Sired by Jose’ Jose’ and out of an A Jazz Man mare, Luchador added the title to an earlier-season win at the WHTA Fireworks & Freedom show. Emily Weddington and Bridgerton earned reserve for Ben and Emily Weddington. Bridgerton entered the Celebration with wins at Walking In The Smokies, Belfast Lions Club and The International. Nine At Knight and Kerrington Stamper received the third award.
Then it was on to class 61, Yearling Colts, where six of the 10 entries vied for the World Championship with Sam Sorrell serving as call judge. Robert Nelms returned to the winner’s circle once again, this time leading Just Mud for Todd Warner of Chapel Hill. By Justified Honors and out of a Muddy Buddy mare, Just Mud entered the Celebration following wins at the Mid-South Horse Show Association show and Spring Fun Show. Victory CM and Beverly Carter earned reserve for Chad Hillis. Victory CM is by Honors and out of the Jose’ Jose’ mare Pain Killer. Head ‘Em Up & Move ‘Em Out and Andrea Nelson claimed the yellow streamer for the partnership of Jones, Richards, Lassiter and Nelson.
Class 62 featured Owner-Amateur Youth 12-17 Western Country Pleasure competition, with all nine scheduled entries making the gate call. Thunder Storm In Dixie and Sterling Woodruff of Shelbyville captured the World Championship, marking the fifth Celebration title for the well-known contender. The team entered the Celebration following 2026 wins at the FAST Spring Showcase, Spring Fun Show, Shelbyville Tennis Club and Woodbury Lions Club. Habanero Picante and Shane Smith earned reserve for the Collins and Rose partnership after a strong season that included six wins and three additional reserve finishes. Amazing Gray and Finley New took third for Bobby and Cindy Richards.
Next, six of the eight programmed entries came through the gate for the Yearlings Youth Handlers 12-17 competition. With a unanimous decision from the judging panel, Bit Of Honey and Finley Reed earned the blue ribbon for Lisa Teel and Lisa Washburn of Fayetteville. The victory followed the World Championship Bit Of Honey earned Wednesday night with Robert Nelms. Bit Of Honey is by Walk Time Charlie and out of 2014 Weanling World Grand Champion GiGi’s Ember. Oh My Darling Clementine and Emery Sims earned reserve for Bobby Joe Jones and Dr. Roger Richards. The filly entered the Celebration with 2026 wins at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, WHOA Spring Extravaganza and The International. She’s Cosmopolitan and Samariah Coleman took third for Jaron Dotson.
The call then came for class 64, Owner-Amateur Youth Lite-Shod, with all four entries answering the gate call. Following a competitive performance, Jackson Cammack and Coachman received the nod for the victory. It marked Coachman’s second World Championship of the show after earlier success Thursday morning with Amber Zahnd. I Would Be Honored and Brianna Rutledge earned reserve for Jerry Graham, Brianna Rutledge and Allison Hopkins. The contender entered the Celebration following wins at the East Tennessee Classic and Walking For Youth shows, along with a reserve finish Wednesday morning with Kara Walker. Up Up And Away and Addyson Brown received the third award.
Four & Five-Year-Old Trail Pleasure competition followed in class 64A, with five entries answering the gate call. Dead Beat Daddy and Krysta Allen earned the World Championship for Dennis and Susan Hills of Farmington, Missouri. Sired by Daddy’s Cash and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare, Dead Beat Daddy entered the Celebration with two wins at The International. On The Money DSG and Carrie DeJarnatte earned reserve for Darren Gray, while Daddy’s Dreamcatcher and Keegan Meadows took third for LeAnn Werner Osborn.
Owner-Amateur Youth 12-17 Trail Pleasure contenders were next in class 65, with all seven registered teams answering the gate call as Sam Sorrell put them through the gaits. Imagine Dragons and Alayna Arnold made their first performance together a winning one, earning the World Championship with a unanimous decision from the judging panel. Imagine Dragons entered the Celebration following wins at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, WHOA Spring Extravaganza and Shelbyville Tennis Club. Tony V and Emma Carter earned reserve after Tony V collected wins at the WHOA Spring Extravaganza, Shelbyville Tennis Club, WHTA Fireworks & Freedom and The International earlier this season. Jose Phina and Hunter Head received the third award.
Class 66 brought Western Park Pleasure contenders to the ring, with six of the seven scheduled entries putting on strong performances. The Holy Roller and Ryan Gannon captured the World Championship for Caroline Elliott of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Elliott had previously directed The Holy Roller to a win at the Money Tree Classic. Olympic Aftershock and Jamey Thompson earned reserve for the Thompson, Brassy, Clark and Manos partnership in the team’s first show-ring appearance of the season. Late Night At The Ritz and Patrick Thomas took third for Lisa Baum.
Owner-Amateur Yearling contenders took to Cooper Steel Arena in class 67, with nine of the 13 entries answering the gate call as Rollie Beard called the class. Oh My Darling Clementine and Kelly Richards Ward walked to victory lane for Bobby Joe Jones and Dr. Roger Richards of Manchester and Bell Buckle. The filly entered the Celebration following wins at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, WHOA Spring Extravaganza and The International. Head ‘Em Up & Move ‘Em Out and Debbie Lassiter earned reserve for the Jones, Richards, Nelson and Lassiter partnership. Teaspoon and Jaron Dotson took third for Jesse Dotson Jr.
The busy Friday morning session concluded with class 68, Owner-Amateur Youth 12-17 All Day Pleasure. Nine of the 10 entries stepped into the ring with Derek Bonner serving as call judge. Peligro Dinero and Lexi Smith were at it again, putting on a top performance that earned them the World Championship and victory pass. The title added to their 2020 World Championship as well as 2026 wins at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, FAST Spring Showcase, Putnam County Fair and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom shows. The Queen Supreme and Caroline Ensey of Unionville earned reserve honors, while Resurgence and Ella Brooke Callaway completed the top three.