Stars and Stirrups: A Night to Celebrate Our Legacy and Fund Our Future
Four of the leading organizations in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry - The Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse (FAST), Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' & Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA), Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration (TWHNC), and the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association (WHTA) - are proud to present an unforgettable evening under the stars: Stars and Stirrups, to be held Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the legendary “Big Oval” at the Celebration Grounds in Shelbyville.
Held in the same show ring where World Grand Champions have been crowned for decades, Stars and Stirrups promises to be an evening filled with fun, food, music, and fundraising. The event theme, “Celebrating Our Legacy. Funding Our Future,” reflects its dual purpose: honoring the history of the breed while raising critical funds to support and promote its future through the industry’s legal fund.
One of the evening’s highlights will be the participation of celebrity waiters, including many of the industry's top trainers and personalities. Attendees who purchase tables or individual tickets by June 25 will be eligible to bid on the celebrity waiter of their choice to serve their table. Bidding will run online from June 26-30. Confirmed celebrity waiters include Jennifer Barr, Spencer Benedict, Knox Blackburn, Robby Bradley, Blaise Broccard, Tanner Burks, Herbert Derickson, Thomas Derickson, Winky Groover, RM Kellett, Jimmy McConnell, Thom Meek, MacKenzie Morgan, Hannah Myatt, Kameron Newsome, Reggie Newsome, Shane Shiflet, Tim Smith, Patrick Thomas, Dan Waddell,Warren Wells, Cody Wofford, Woody Woodruff Sr., Bill Young. The waiter who earns the most “tips” for the FAST legal fund will enjoy a three-night vacation in Panama City Beach courtesy of Sister Milligan (subject to availability). Adding to the excitement, all living World Grand Champions are being invited to attend. They will greet guests as they make their entrance through the iconic chute into center ring and will gather earlier in the evening for a historic group photo on the grass in center ring, an image that will later be auctioned as one of the night’s most exclusive live items.
Entertainment will be provided by Jordyn Mallory + Nashville Hit Machine (sponsored by Molly Walters) We are excited to welcome rising country star Jordyn Mallory, performing live alongside The Nashville Hit Machine in an unforgettable night of music and entertainment. Known for her powerhouse vocals and dynamic stage presence, Jordyn has shared the stage with legends like Loretta Lynn and opened for acts such as Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett.
Rising country artist Jordyn Mallory hails from Chickasaw County, Mississippi, and now calls Nashville home. She has shared the stage with legends like Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, Jake Owen, and Eric Church, and she appeared in Jason Aldean’s Dirt Road Anthem music video. A former American Idol contestant (Season 11), Jordyn also co-wrote Kip Moore’s “Separate Ways” and is a proud member of Song Suffragettes, Musicians On Call, and CMT’s Artist Discovery Campaign. With over 140,000 social media followers, she has built a dedicated fan base, further amplified through brand collaborations. You can hear her singing her songs “Hearts & Horses” (Episode 1) and “The Song I Thought I’d Never Write” (Episode 9) on Season 3 of FOX’s Farmer Wants a Wife.
Joining the lineup is Derek Hughes, bringing his soulful sound and Southern charm to the stage. The evening promises a high-energy showcase of country hits, heartfelt ballads, and crowd favorites. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an evening of live music with top talent straight from Nashville!
• Table Sponsorships are $1,000 and include seating, dinner, and drinks for 8 guests.
• Individual Tickets are $125 per person for general seating (first come first served) and include dinner and drinks.
Tickets and tables may be purchased online here, or by calling Dee Cantrell at (706) 366-1011, Thom Meek at (615) 426-6199, or the TWHBEA office at (931) 359-1574.
The menu for the night will include:
•Appetizers
• Prime Aged Certified Angus Ribeyes (1.25”)
• Hickory Smoked Boneless Pork Tenderloin
• Hawaiian Grilled Chicken with Pineapple
• Caesar Salad (family style)
• Country Style Green Beans
• Fresh Grilled Ears of Corn
• Smoked Brussel Sprouts
• Roasted Red Skin Potatoes
In addition to the celebrity waiter auction, the night will feature a live auction of select items including a custom golf cart, the autographed WGC group photo, Pleasure Show Jacket with Matching Pad Cover or Saddle Seat
Suit from Marsha De Arriaga, Pair of Miniature Donkeys donated by Steve and Denise Smith, Smoky Mountain Vacation donated by Shane and Veronica Porterfield and another item to be determined.
An online auction will also be held preceding the event with everything from stud fees to vacations and memorabilia. All proceeds from the evening will go to the FAST Legal Fund, supporting initiatives to protect the Tennessee Walking Show Horse. The auction can be found here and will run from Friday, June 13 through 11pm to Tuesday, July 1.
Join us on July 1 for a celebration unlike any other, where stars of the past and present come together to secure the future of our beloved breed.