SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – Wednesday, August 24, 2016, The 78th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration kicked off in Calsonic Arena promptly at 9 a.m. on a warm, clear morning.
Judges for the 11-day event are Chris Bobo, Nathan Clark, Ray Gilmer, Sam Sorrell and Leigh Stuart. Dallas Eubanks handled the announcing duties and Mike Inman, CEO of the Celebration is the Show Manager. Brian Peery entertained with his organ and Shane Shiflet captured the event as Official Photographer.
The first class to the ring competing for World Championship honors was the Model Pleasure Walking Mares, a Riders’ Cup class. Making their way down victory lane was Adorable Diamond and Beverly Lamp for Lorraine Rosbury. Adorable Diamond added this World Championship to her five International titles earned earlier this season.
Eighteen top contenders answered the gate call for the Owner-Amateur Riders on Two-Year-Old Trail Pleasure Walking Horses, Optional Tack. Jamie Noe directed Ms. Understood to the World Championship title. World Grand Champions Designer Champagne and Kimberly Coult-Walden started their 2016 Celebration off in blue ribbon style with the Owner-Amateur Riders on English Country Pleasure Walking Horses World Championship. The team also claimed this honor in 2015 along with the Owner-Amateur Western Country Pleasure World Grand Championship. The Western Park Pleasure Walking Horses, Four Years & Under, Riders’ Cup took the rail next. Riding to the World Championship with a unanimous decision of the judges was I’m Dixie Blue and Chris Helton for Kara Graham. Riding to her second World Championship of the morning was Kimberly Coult-Walden. This ride was aboard Jazzanova in the Owner-Amateur Riders on Three-Year-Old English Trail Pleasure Walking Horses. Closing out the first session of the 78th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration was the Owner-Amateur Riders on Country Pleasure Walking Horses, Four Years and Under, Optional Tack. Fifteen highly competitive entries answered the gate call. Pulling from the line up and into the winners’ circle claiming back-to-back World Championships and her third of the morning was Kimberly Coult-Walden riding Diamond At The Ritz with a unanimous victory.
Excitement filled the show grounds as the 78th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration continued in the big oval for the first time after having performances the last two mornings inside Calsonic Arena on Thursday evening. Ranger T. Walker proudly carried the Nation’s Flag. James Wells from Springhill, Tenn., gave a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem and students from local elementary schools were in center ring to experience firsthand the opening ceremonies of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.
The Youth division was a grand way to kick things off on Thursday evening. All six entries answered the gate call for the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-11 Years on Walking Mares. Oh My Darlin’ and Counti Green claimed the world championship for Bill and Karen Bean and Counti Green.
The B Division of the Owner-Amateur Riders on Two-Year-Old Walking Stallions brought Knock Down Drag Out and Jason Myatt to the winners circle. With this win, Myatt retired both the Mary and John C. Miller Memorial and the Marie Jeffcoat Memorial Challenge Trophies.
Repeating their previous world championships and adding to their resume the 2016 Walking Geldings, 15.2 & Under, Riders’ Cup World was the dynamic team of An American Threat and Bill Callaway for Ridegmont Farms, Barbara Corbett and Lynn Hickock.
Bringing a close to the first Thursday evening was the Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Show Pleasure Walking Horses. This highly competitive class brought 10 entries to the ring in hopes of earning the judges’ approval. An elated Stephanie Elliott directed her dearly loved I’m Moonlighting to the winner’s circle for her and her father, Danny Gattis.
Returning to the indoor arena on Friday morning was the Owner-Amateur Weanlings. Claiming his first Celebration blue ribbon was Hunter Fikes and Win, Lose Or Draw for Jones, Richards and Fikes. Amanda Wright and Miss Belle Starr W. returned to the show ring to claim reserve acclaim after their TWHBEA National Futurity win on Wednesday night. Later on Friday morning the Owner-Amateur Riders on Park Pleasure Walking Horses, Two and Three-Years-Old were invited to the ring. In their second outing, Grits In Dixie and Darrin Sisk earned the unanimous approval of the judges. This was the first winning ride for Darrin Sisk at the Celebration. The final class on Friday morning was the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-17 Years on Park Performance Walking Horses. Nine entries answered the gate call. When the cards were marked, the judges chose Bustin’ Jose and Jacob Miller for Matt Penna and Jacob Miller.
Although there was a threat of storms in the area on Friday evening, the horse show fans continued cheering on their favorites in the first class, the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-11 Years on Walking Geldings. Blue Ray and Alexis Nichols claimed this prestigious title. Professional riders were next to answer the gate call for the Two-Year-Old Walking Geldings, a Riders’ Cup class. Scott Beaty directed Airborne Hero to the blue for McWilliams Farms. Exiting the ring as a novice no longer was Tanya Strickland aboard Joe Pa in the Owner-Amateur Novice Lady Riders on Novice Walking Stallions.
Clear skies and a gentle breeze welcomed exhibitors and spectators to the big oval on Saturday evening. Anticipation grew as the night moved toward the aged stallion division. Six top contenders entered the ring to Larry Bright’s Flat Walk Boogie. The world championship in the A division of the Walking Stallions, Five Years & Over, Canter, Riders’ Cup went to He’s Shady In Black and Jimmy McConnell for Richard Donner. The B division welcomed four top contending entries. Honors and Larry Edwards made their way to the winner’s circle for Keith and Dan McSwain with unanimous approval from all five judges. Ryan Blackburn directed Lester H. Burns to the reserve world champion title for Martin Cox.