On May 3, 2017, the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration released its 2017 class schedule for the 79th Annual Celebration. In order to focus on competitiveness, participation and the length of each session the Celebration recently began a process, revamping its class schedule covering a three-year period.

After receiving feedback from fans and exhibitors, it was noted that the sessions were too long and more entries were hoped for in championship classes. The Celebration’s program committee reviewed the length and number of presentations during the class schedule and was able to reduce the presentations by approximately 90 minutes over the course of the show.

A Trainers’ Advisory Committee was formed by the Celebration as well. This committee consisted of the seven leading trainers that entered the most horses at the 2016 Celebration, including both the pleasure and performance divisions. This group met for over a three-week period and exchanged ideas. 39 recommendations were made for the 160 class schedule with 24 of those being adopted in year one of the three-year plan. The goal is to have morning sessions end by noon and evening sessions end by 10:30 in hopes of increasing class participation.

Some major changes initiated in 2017 were the removal of non-championship classes during the last three nights. This resulted in the removal of four non-championships during this period. Other changes include the following: the amateur pony division and the amateur 15.2 & under division will continue with separate qualifying classes. However, they will now have a combined championship class on Thursday evening.

Changes for 2017 resulted in the reduction of twelve classes over the last three nights of the horse show. Even though the Trainers Ride for the Roses class was eliminated, the amateur novice championships will remain on schedule in both the pleasure and performance divisions. The most significant change in the pleasure division was combining the Amateur English and Western Trail Pleasure championship classes. Both will continue to have qualifying classes that separate English and Western. In addition, some divisions combined classes into four and under divisions. The Riders’ Cup and Amateur Classic Park Pleasure Classes were eliminated from the class sheet.

According to the Celebration, the effects from these changes will be monitored and continue over the next two years with modifications that reflect trends in the industry. The goal of these changes is to provide fans with the most enjoyable experience.