By Britney Brown

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The first of the world grand championship nights had arrived. With it, those monumental moments that a whole year of preparation led up to had finally come. The gate opened at precisely 7PM for White Diamond Dollar and Vicki Self to come in the ring and present the colors. Austin Harden of the Wartrace Church of Christ gave the invocation, and Leah Boyd of Murfreesboro sang the national anthem. Then, Mark Farrar invited the first of 16 classes into the ring. Steve Bowman of Kentucky, the official bugler of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs, sounded the call for the opening class of Thursday night, the first time the Celebration has had a bugle call to open the classes in over 20 years.

Class I59 was Owner-Amateur Park Pleasure. Nine of 11 entries answered the gate call, and Judge Campbell called the gaits in the class. The competition was fierce as the sunset turned the sky pink. The lights dimmed. Making a spotlight ride to the winners’ circle to wear the roses by unanimous choice was Jazzed Up Lady and Lauren Hamilton, the owner/rider of Cedar Grove. Sired by Lined Up At The Ritz, Jazzed Up Lady adds this to a year of wins at the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival, Money Tree Classic and a world championship last Thursday night in Owner-Amateur Western Park Pleasure. This makes back-to-back world grand championship rides in this class for Jazzed Up Lady and Lauren Hamilton. The reserve world grand championship in the class went to Dixie’s Legacy and Sister Milligan for Billie DeArmond and Sister Milligan of Greer, South Carolina and Panama City, Florida. Sired by The Dixie Lineman, Dixie’s Legacy had won this year at Christmas In July. He also walked to a world championship on Wednesday Morning in Elite Owner-Amateur Park Pleasure, which was his sixth world champion win. The third award in the class went to Boston Bay and Anne Evans riding for herself and Jocelyn Laughlin.

The second class of the night was 160, Owner-Amateur Novice Trail Pleasure. All five entries made their way down the hill before the gate closed and Ross Campbell served as the call judge. These talented horses and riders took to the rail at a flat walk, hoping to earn their first tricolor ribbon. The class was big, but there could only be one winner. That honor went to Dead Beat Daddy and Susan Hills, in the irons for Dennis and Susan Hills of Farmington, Missouri. Sired by Daddy’s Cash and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare, Dead Beat Daddy won this season at The Southern Belle, Walking For The Angels, Let Freedom Ring and the Woodbury Lions Club. He also won the Owner-Amateur English Trail Pleasure World Championship Monday morning. Hit List with Dr. Blake Everett riding for Bruce and Lee Sinden, Dr. Hughes and Dr. Blake Everett of Valdese, North Carolina, Russell Springs, Kentucky and Murfreesboro, Tennessee took reserve in the good class. Hit List, also sired by Daddy’s Cash out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare, had previously won at The Low Country Classic and Christmas In July. He walked his way to a world championship on Sunday night in the Owner-Amateur Novice Western Trail Pleasure class. Wearing the yellow streamer was the team of 2019 Owner-Amateur Weanlings World Champion, Luchador, and Theresa Williams for David and Theresa Williams. 

Class 161 was next in the program, Owner-Amateur Youth Country Pleasure Mares & Geldings. Excitement filled the stands as the young riders entered the ring. Ross Campbell called the class of 13 contenders. These young riders found a good spot on the rail and showed their horses with impressive skill. Out of the lineup and under the spotlight for Jim Leek, Abigail Taylor and Maggie Moore of Christiana, Tennessee and Rush, Kentucky, came Twenty Four Carrots ML and Abigail Taylor. Twenty Four Carrots ML is a successful show horse, winning this year at The Phoenix, The Southern Belle, The PWHAT Fun Show (April), WHOA Spring Extravaganza, Germantown Charity, Cornersville Lions Club and The International Grand Championship. This was Abigail Taylor’s first world grand championship ride here at The Celebration. It was also the first world grand champion ride for two-time World Champion Twenty Four Carrots ML. Receiving the reserve honors in the class was The Tiger Lily with Caroline Stanley in the irons for Jennifer Stanley of Cynthiana, Kentucky. The Tiger Lily is a world grand champion and four-time world champion after her win in the Owner-Amateur Youth 12-17 Western Country Pleasure on Friday morning. She won in 2025 at The FAST Spring Showcase, The Southern Belle, the Spring Extravaganza, Spring Fun Show, Let Freedom Ring and The International. Taking home third was two-time World Grand Champion and three-time World Champion Mr. Bentley and owner Lakelyn Mathews. 

The call came for class 162, Owner-Amateur All Day Pleasure. Thirteen entries walked down the hill and into the ring, where Judge Grider called the good class. The competition turned up the heat on the cool evening. Just A Steel Magnolia and Rhiannon Barker made the victory ride to wear the roses, by unanimous choice, for the second year in a row. Just A Steel Magnolia, bred by Theresa Williams, is the entry of Dr. H. Grey Barker of Murfreesboro. Just A Steel Magnolia had wins this year at The FAST Spring Showcase, Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic, as well as a world championship on Wednesday morning in the Owner-Amateur All Day Pleasure class. This brings her to two world championships and two world grand championships. The second award in the class was earned by the team of Miss Belle Starr W and Dr. Brittany Baum for Jacob and Dr. Brittany Baum of Shelbyville. World Grand Champion and three-time World Champion Miss Belle Starr W had wins at the TWHYA Summer Splash and The International this year. In third was Failure To Appear with Amanda Manis in the irons for Gary and Carolyn Pope and Amanda Manis. 

Class 163 brought Owner-Amateur Novice horses to the ring. Judge Campbell called the class of 24 entries. They all took a deep seat and showed at the running walk for their first spotlight ride. The judges would have a hard time picking the winner, and a workout followed in the densely packed class. Finally, the remaining horses in the class walked over to the south side to await the results. Making that good ride out of the lineup was I’m Senor Copperfield and KJ Compton riding for Della Gay Compton of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Out of the same dam as I Will Honor Thy Father, I’m Senor Copperfield had wins this year at the Smoky Mountain Classic and Walking For Angels, as well as winning the Owner-Amateur Novice Gentleman on Stallions World Championship on Friday evening. Wearing the crimson and gold streamer to a reserve finish was Auggie and Lauren Landers riding for Eastridge and Landers of Columbia, Kentucky and Shelbyville, Tennessee. Auggie won his first world championship in the Owner-Amateur Novice Ladies on Stallions. Third-place honors went to Triple A and owner/ rider, Dr. Ray Caughman. 

The Elite Owner-Amateur World Grand Championship was next, class 164. Eleven entries made the gate call, and Judge Cortner called the gaits in the class. These veteran riders showed their horses with ease and grace, but also fierce determination as they walked their way into the lineup. By unanimous choice, Born A Maverick and owner Bob Adcock of Lititz, Pennsylvania, wore the tricolor ribbon to world grand champion status. Born A Maverick is sired by Gen’s Black Maverick and was bred by the late Keith Reed. He has won at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Christmas In July shows in 2025, and took home the Owner-Amateur 70 & Over World Championship on Friday night. Born A Maverick is now a three-time World Grand Champion and a four-time World Champion. Taking home second to Monroe, Georgia, for Todd and Shanna Jackson was My Brother In Arms, with Todd in the irons. Three-time World Champion, My Brother In Arms was a winner at the Belfast Lions Club, the Spring Extravaganza and Christmas In July shows. He took home two of those world championships in 2025, one in the Elite Owner-Amateur Gentlemen on Mares & Geldings Wednesday evening, and one in the 15.2 & Under Mares & Geldings class Friday evening. Walking to the third award was Record High and Rollie Beard, riding for himself and Brenda Marmon. 

Class 165 ushered in Owner-Amateur Youth Ponies. With 10 entries, Chris Bobo was the call judge. These young riders made a good show and exhibited their horses well from start to finish. Coming out of the lineup and around the Big Oval to wear the floral horseshoe was two-time World Champion, I Am March Madness and Ryder Wright riding for Ryder Wright and Debbie Woods of Jackson and Lexington, Tennessee. I Am March Madness has won at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show and took home his second world championship in Owner-Amateur Youth 6-14 Ponies class on Saturday night. Tied second in the class was The Ultimate Honor with Jack Harney in the irons for The Justin Harney Family of Murfreesboro. The Ultimate Honor is a world grand champion and two-time world champion and had wins this year at The FAST Spring Showcase and Heart Of A Champion. The third-place ribbon went to I Am Big Enough and owner/rider Maxine Beasley.

Next, class 166, Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Olds, made their way down the hill. Judge Cortner called the class of 11 entries. The competition was fierce as these owners showcased the next generation of Tennessee Walking Horses. After the judges’ cards were tallied, the popular team of Harvey Specter SBS and Janice Fostek rode under the spotlight. Harvey Specter SBS adds this world grand championship title to wins at the Shelbyville Tennis Club and Money Tree Classic. This team won the world champion title by unanimous choice in the preliminary Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallions class last Thursday night. Harvey Specter SBS was bred by Spencer and Carrie Bendict and is sired by Jeronimo and out of a Pusher All Color mare. Topping off their season with a reserve world grand championship was Charlie Sherman and Stephanie Martin, riding for Floyd and Caryl Sherman of Shelbyville. Charlie Sherman is sired by Walk Time Charlie and out of a Titleist mare. He has wins this season at Christmas In July and the Marshall County Horseman’s Association, as well as the Owner-Amateur Two-Year Old Mares & Geldings World Championship on Sunday night. Earning the third position on the judges’ cards was Chill Bill 4G with owner Maria Bobo in the irons. 

Class 167 brought Owner-Amateur Four & Five-Year-Old Trail Pleasure contenders to the ring. Judge Sisk called the good class of five horses. They worked their way around the ring, finding a good spot on the rail. They had the crowd cheering by the time they went into the lineup. Cha Cha Ching SF and Jordan Howell walked their way to a unanimous world grand championship for Janet Howell of Murfreesboro. Janet bred this mare, who is by Daddy’s Cash and out of Sriracha SF. The Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Trail Pleasure World Champion and World Grand Champion in 2024, Cha Cha Ching SF came back to win the Owner-Amateur Four-Year-Old Trail Pleasure World Championship on Wednesday morning. She also had won this year at the Spring Fun Show. Reserve in the good class was presented to On The Money DSG and owner/rider Darren Gray of Orlando, Florida. Sired by I Am Jose’ and out of a Lined With Cash mare, On The Money DSG had previous wins this year, her first year showing, at the Spring Fun Show, Let Freedom Ring and the Money Tree Classic. Riding to receive the yellow streamer were She’s Venomous and owner Kelly Querrey.

Owner-Amateur Youth Show Pleasure Mares & Geldings, class 168, was next on the program. Brent Grider was the call judge for the class of 10 entries. These young riders were thrilled to show their horses, and their excitement spread into the stands as fans cheered. After they went to the lineup, Well Armed American and owner Reese Abernathy of Duluth, Georgia, wore the floral horseshoe and tricolor ribbon. Well Armed American was a TWHYA Summer Splash and Christmas In July champion, and won in the Owner-Amateur Youth 6-11 Show Pleasure Mares & Geldings World Championship last Thursday evening. This was the first world grand championship for both Reese Abernathy and Well Armed American. He adds this win to his two previous world championships. Taking home the reserve world grand championship to Ivanhoe, Virginia, was the dynamic duo of Smoky Mountain Squire and owner/rider Ivy Freeman. Smoky Mountain Squire won at Walking In The Smokies, the Columbia Spring Jubilee and the Woodbury Lions Club. Additionally, he earned a second world championship in the Owner-Amateur Youth 12-17 Show Pleasure Mares & Geldings class on Saturday evening. Third in the good class went to the talented team of Tee Time Charlie and Ally Jo Jacobs for The Jake Jacobs family.  
Class 169, Owner-Amateur Park Performance, came down the hill after that, with 14 entries. Judge Bobo called the class. The contenders found a spot on the rail and showed at the flat walk. They took a deep seat as they stepped up their horses. In the end, it was A Touche’ and owner Jannie Chapman of Red Banks, Mississippi, that dominated the class. They rode under the spotlight to wear the roses. Six-time World Champion and six-time World Grand Champion, A Touche’ is sired by Jose’ Jose’ and has won this class back-to-back for three years in a row. He won his world champion qualifying class on Friday evening and won earlier in the year at the Money Tree Classic. The reserve world grand championship title went to Collusion and Sister Milligan riding for herself and Jackson Laughlin of Panama City, Florida and Shelbyville, Tennessee. Collusion won the Owner-Amateur Park Performance Mares & Geldings World Championship last Thursday evening. He also won at Walking In The Smokies and the Marshall County Horseman’s Association earlier in the season. The third-place award was presented to “Wanted” THF and Amanda Manis for Manis and Pope. 

Owner-Amateur Five & Under All Day Pleasure, class 170, was next on the program. This was the first time there had been a world grand championship class in this division. Thirteen entries came down the hill as Cortner called the class. Horse and rider teams vied to find a good spot on the rail, hoping to be seen by the judges. Walking to that prestigious, inaugural, world grand championship honor in this class was The Queen Supreme and Dr. Brittany Baum for Jacob and Dr. Brittany Baum of Shelbyville. Sired by Jose’ Jose’ and out of a Generator’s Silver Dollar mare, The Queen Supreme won the Owner-Amateur Four & Five-Year-Old All Day Pleasure World Championship on Thursday morning. Earning second in the good class was Villainous and Andy Stooksberry, the owner/rider of Shelbyville. Villainous, sired by Lined With Cash and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare, has had a successful year at the Spring Extravaganza, Spring Fun Show, Let Freedom Ring and the Owner-Amateur Two & Three-Year-Old All Day Pleasure World Championship on Wednesday evening. Finally, wearing the yellow streamer out for Stan Kuykendall and Maggie Moore was Shady In Blue and Maggie Moore. 

Class 171 came through the gate next that consisted of Owner-Amateur Five-Year-Olds. Judge Sisk called the class of eight entries as competition got underway. They each took a deep seat and showed their talented horses with pride. However, in the end, Sweet Black Gin and Lorraine Rosbury dominated the class. The entry of Keith and Lorraine Rosbury of Bell Buckle, Sweet Black Gin is sired by Gen’s Black Gin and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare. This was the first world grand championship ride for both Lorriane Rosbury and Sweet Black Gin. The team won this year at The FAST Spring Showcase, WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show and Let Freedom Ring. Reserve honors in the good class went to Slim And Hot and Sister Milligan, the owner and rider of Panama City, Florida. Sired by He’s Slim Shady and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare, Slim And Hot is a world grand champion and three-time world champion, winning the Owner-Amateur Five-Year-Old Stallions World Championship on Monday night. Taking home the third was Hotty Toddy Gosh A'Mighty with owner Greg Kiser in the irons. 
Class 172 brought Owner-Amateur Trail Pleasure into the ring to vie for the world grand champion title. Judge Campbell called the class of four entries. They made their way around the ring and into the lineup. After much deliberation, the judges chose Machete with owner Susan Coleman of Unionville in the irons to wear the roses. With this ride, they are a seven-time world grand champion and seven-time world champion team. They have carried the roses in this division five times in a row. Sired by Jose’ Jose’ and out of a Pusher’s Busting Loose mare, Machete is undefeated this season with wins at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show and Money Tree Classic, as well as their qualifying world championship class on Monday morning. The reserve streamer was handed to Blacklist and Jane Pirolo, the owner of Franklin. Backlist, sired by Gen’s Black Gin, had wins at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Extravaganza, Spring Sun Show and Let Freedom Ring this year, and is a four-time world grand champion and 13-time world champion. In the third-place spot on the judges’ cards was Mr. Booty with owner and rider Sherry Kessler.

The Lite-Shod World Grand Championship, class 173, was the next-to-last class of the night. All six contenders entered the ring, where Ross Campbell was the call judge. Competition was still going strong, even as the hour turned late. Riding around the ring and into the winner’s circle to wear the tricolor ribbon by unanimous choice was Space Cowboy SN and Jonathan Baskin riding for Skyler Nipper of Shelbyville. Space Cowboy SN is undefeated this season, with wins at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show and Walking For Angels, and he wore the roses a year ago in this division. Space Cowboy SM, sired by Jose’ Jose’ and out of a Pusher mare, walked to his third world championship on Friday evening. He walked to his second world grand championship in this class. Reserve in the good class was presented to Coachman and Jeff Laughlin for Zach Daniel of Longview, Texas. Coachman is a world grand champion and four-time world champion, winning this year at Let Freedom Ring. Third-place honors in the class were awarded to Val Halla and Macy Woody-Norwood for Kimberly Delano. 

The final class of the night was 174, the Three-Year-Old World Grand Championship. The crowd clapped along to “All Shook Up” as 10 entries stepped into the ring. Excitement crackled in the air as these contenders took off at the flat walk. Judge Bobo called the gaits in the class. Every entry made an incredible show. But in the end, only one could wear the roses. And that hard-working team was The Chief BK and John Allan Callaway for Bob Kilgore and Joe Barnes of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Sevierville, Tennessee. Bred by Richard Atnip, sired by Honors and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare, The Chief BK had wins this year at the Smoky Mountain Classic and Walking For The Angels, and is a first-time world grand champion. Walking to a second-place finish was Shoulda Been A Cowboy and Sam Martin for Floyd and Caryl Sherman of Shelbyville. Sired by Gen A’ Mighty and out of an All Skywatch mare, Shoulda Been A Cowboy had wins this year at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Let Freedom Ring. He was the Two-Year-Old Stallions World Champion and World Grand Champion in 2024, and won the Three-Year-Old World Championship on Friday night. Earning the third award in the class was Cowboy Can and Charlie Green for Terry and Sabrina Matthews.

The first championship night was over, and with it, a new Three-Year-Old World Grand Champion was crowned. Excitement kept the festivities going long after the show was over as everyone took pictures on the bricks and celebrated the great accomplishments of the evening. Friday night would be sure to bring more scintillating classes as The Celebration celebrated the veterans and active military on Red, White and Blue Night.