By Mark McGee | Photos by Shane Shiflet

The weather people say the fall weather is soon going to leave, but Thursday night there was a pleasant breeze greeting fans at the 86th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. 

The Celebration is all about tradition and nowhere is that more evident than the white flag horse, White Diamond Dollar, presented each evening to start the show.

Dr. Stephen Smith from Murfreesboro presented a stirring version of “The Star Spangled Banner”. Andy Keffer of First Church of the Nazarene gave the invocation.

There were 14 classes on the schedule, including two splits. Mark Farrar welcomed three of five programmed entries into “The Big Oval” for the Owner-Amateur Western Park Pleasure class. Boston Bay and co-owner-rider Anne Evans of Johnson City rode to the blue for co-owner Jocelyn Laughlin of Shelbyville. They are unbeaten in three classes in 2024. Jazzed Up Lady and owner-rider Lauren Hamilton were reserve. I’m Mr. Blues, a “Classic” horse, and owner-rider Page Brown, walked out with a yellow ribbon.

Section A of the Two-Year-Old Mares class saw Trophy Girl living up to her name winning the blue ribbon and class trophy with Sam Martin in the saddle for Susan and Dan Erwin of Olive Hill, Kentucky. They are a perfect three-for-three in blues this show season having bested a field of 12 competitors. Far Above Rubies and Thomas Derickson placed reserve for owners Theresa and David Williams. Far Above Rubies was Futurity nominated and also took home the Futurity championship ribbon. The yellow ribbon was given to Paraiso THF with Casey Wright in the irons for Rick Ferguson-

Coachman was ridden to the winner’s circle by Jeff Laughlin for owner Zach Daniel in the English Lite Shod class. The unanimous selection of the five-judge panel, Coachman also won the class in 2023. It was the second blue of the year for Coachman. Bill Bobo directed I Like Pina Coladas to the reserve finish for Frank Harbin. She’s Charlie’s Girl and Chris Zahnd were third for co-owners Anne Evans and Alex Luttrell. Four of seven expected entries made the show ring.

I’m A Trump Girl carried out the blue ribbon with Sam McLaughlin aboard for Kerry DeArmond from Greer, South Carolina, in the Two-Year-Old Mares Div. B class. Sally Burns rode away with the second place streamer with Renardo Green in the irons for Earl Rogers. Third place was Cowgirl Casanova with Winky Groover riding for Maria Bobo. Fourteen of 26 expected entries were in “The Big Oval”. 

It was a repeat blue ribbon ride for Maroon 5 and Dr. Jim Baum in the Elite Owner-Amateur Gentlemen on Stallions class. They also were the winners in 2023. Owned by Lucas Baum of Shelbyville, Tennessee, Maroon 5 has two blues and two seconds in four shows this show season. Dr. Baum and Maroon 5 also won a Celebration blue in 2021. With seven of the 14 expected contenders taking to the ring, it was the team of Kobe 24 and Jimbo Connor earning the red ribbon. The yellow streamer was presented to A King Thing and owner-rider Bob Adcock.
Four of seven program entries competed in the Owner-Amateur Youth 6-11 Mares class. Charlie’s Perfect Angel lived up to her name with a unanimous top tie with Cade McAllister in the saddle for Bill McAllister and Tara Rhoades of China Grove, North Carolina. They have won three blues and two reserves in six classes in 2024. I’m On Good Behavior and Mary Beech Alias took home a yellow streamer for Alias Family Investments. I Sang Dixie was third with Ally Jo Jacobs riding for Jake Jacobs.

Owner-rider Sister Milligan of Panama City, Florida, made the blue ribbon ride in Owner-Amateur Pony Stallions class that hosted seven top teams. It was her second blue ribbon ride in the first two nights of The Celebration. They have ridden to three blues and two reserves in five classes this year. Dark Rain, winner of the class in 2023 and 2022, was reserve with Taylor Walters in the saddle for The Molly Walters Family. Form A Line and co-owner-rider Carole Baxter captured the third place finish.

Hurrah! won the Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallions, Div. A award with rider Caryl Sherman earning the unanimous blue ribbon. Floyd Sherman is the owner from Shelbyville. Hurrah!, is unbeaten in four classes in 2024 with Caryl in the saddle for three of the wins. The Specimen was the second tie with Ashley Case riding for Judy Case. Triple A and owner-rider Dr. Ray Caughman placed third.

Pitbull and co-owner-rider Caitlyn Duschel were the first tie in the Owner-Amateur Park Performance Mares & Geldings class for co-owner Kelly Duschel from Lincolnton, North Carolina. Pitbull has won four blues in five classes in 2024. Do Right and Lisa Baum were reserve. Do Right won the class in 2023 and 2022. Dr. Jim Baum was presented a yellow ribbon for his ride on Batman JC, who is also owned by Lisa Baum. Ten of the 18 expected entries were in the ring when the gate closed.

I Am Superman 4G was strong enough to ride to the winner’s circle with Alex Rea in the irons for owner Dr. Ann Rea of Columbus, Mississippi, in the Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Stalions, Div B.  The red streamer was awarded to A Brother’s Honor and owner-rider Bob Adcock. Sam Steele was the third place tie with Derek Grant in the irons for Mr. and Mrs. Howard Eastridge. A dozen of the 25 programmed entries rode in “The Big Oval” seeking top honors. 

The Owner-Amateur 15.2 & Under Stallions victory lap was presented to I Will Honor They Father. Kenny Compton was aboard for owner Della Gay Compton from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They have two wins in two shows for a perfect 2024. Patrick Mahomes crossed the goal line for a second place finish for co-owner-rider Paul Simmons and co-owner Tiffany Simmons. I Am Fearless and owner-rider Janice Fostek were the third place tie.

Well Armed American was well-prepared for the Owner-Amateur Youth 6-11 Show Pleasure class earning a trip to the winner’s circle owner-rider Reese Abernathy of Petersburg, Tennessee. It was their fourth blue of the show season. Ally Jo Jacobs rode Tee Time Charlie to finish in the reserve spot for Jake Jacobs. I Am A Shakin’ Jose’ and rider Elizabeth Thomas walked away with a yellow streamer for Angie and Justin Kohl. Seven of 10 planned entries rode in the ring. 

Ruby Lipstick and co-owner Harper Grider tied first in the Owner-Amateur Youth 15-17 class for co-owner Tom Ware of Cynthiana, Kentucky. A “Classic” horse, Ruby Lipstick is three-for-three in first place wins in 2024. Nevermore took home a red ribbon with co-owner Julia Callaway in the saddle for co-owner Dr. Barbara Moersch. Jose’s Vindicator and co-owner-rider Caroline Wesley Way placed third for the partnership of Blaylock and Way. Ten of 16 entries listed in the program were in the ring. 

Four of the 27 scheduled program entries made the gate call in the Stallions Specialty class to end the evening. Tua MCF repeated his 2023 performance as the winner of the class. Tim Smith was in the saddle for owners Lorraine and Keith Rosbury of Bell Buckle, Tennessee. Tua MCF has four blues in five classes in 2024, with four top finishes in a row. He was the fourth class winner of the evening sired by Honors. YS Garfunkle hit the right notes for a second place ribbon with Clay Sanderson in the irons for Yellowstone Farm. John Allan Callaway rode He’s Mr. Maverick to third for Gayle Holcomb and Nick Masters.