By Mark McGee

The anticipation of getting a first glimpse of the Aged Stallions contenders filled the humid air Saturday night in “The Big Oval”.

Jimmy West of Edgemont Baptist Church gave the invocation. With Ronnie Spears and flag horse White Diamond Dollar standing in front of the West grandstand, The Cavaliers melded their voices into a harmonious a cappella rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”.

“That’s the way to start a horse show,” said show ring announcer Mark Farrar as he prepared to announce the 12-class schedule that would host two splits.

All six entries made their way into the ring for the always adorable, always exciting, always competitive Lead Line World Grand Championship. All six were winners, but making the spotlight ride as the unanimous choice of the five-judge panel was Can Do 2 and Coy Sanderson. Coy’s mom, Kasie Sanderson was at the lead for the memorable ride. The reserve world grand champions were The Queen and owner-rider Laynie Jo Leverette. Mom, Amanda Leverette was at the lead. The third place ribbon was awarded to Hide & Seek, ridden by owner Calli Johnson and led by Ashtyn Moore.

Making the spotlight ride in the Yearling World Grand Championship was Totally Justified with Beverly Carter at the lead for Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tennessee. Totally Justified, who is undefeated in 2024 in six classes, and Carter were first in the National Futurity Spring Colts class Wednesday night and the Yearling Colts class Friday morning. This marks the first world grand champion offspring for World Grand Champion Justified Honors. Tell Me Have You Cena and handler Chris Richards were named the reserve world grand champions for Dr. Roger Richards and Bobby Jones. All About Choo walked out with a yellow ribbon with Robert Nelms handling for Teel and Washburn.

Tha Pink Panther, with JoAnna Mitchell aboard, was name the Owner-Amateur Ladies on Geldings class blue ribbon winner for owner Jay Mitchell of Albertville, Alabama. It was the second top award for Tha Pink Panther this year. Made You Look D and owner-rider Edwina Duddy took home a red streamer. The third place tie was awarded to Gin Fusion with Kendra Smith aboard for Gary Gilmore.

Gimme A Redneck Girl was ridden to the winner’s circle in Section A of the Three-Year-Old Mares class for Brandy Zeis of Wartrace, Tennessee. Nine of 16 listed entries made their way down to the ring. Private Dixie, with Robby Bradley in the saddle, was reserve for Wes McFadden. Sired by The Dixie Lineman, Private Dixie was also the highest finishing National Futurity nominee. Picking up the yellow streamer was the team of Marcia Clark CWF and Ryan Blackburn for the Kilburn and Bingham partnership. 

Next to the ring was 12 of the 17 scheduled entries in the Owner-Amateur Novice Youth 12-17 class. It’s High Maintenance and Grant Turner can remove Celebration novices from their names with the first place finish for owners Sister Milligan of Panama City, Florida, and Donald Turner from Wellington, Alabama. The red ribbon was presented to Chris Kyle and owner-rider Brianna Rutledge. I Am Hooked and Frank Clark took home a yellow ribbon for John Clark.

She’s Lined With Love 4G was first in Section B of the Three-Year-Old Mares class with Thomas Derickson on board for Maria Bobo of Shelbyville, Tennessee. In five classes this year, She’s Lined With Love 4G has three blues and a reserve. I’m The Boss Lady was ridden to reserve by Bill Callaway for Ashley Young. Now That’s All Right Mama and Sam Martin left the ring with a yellow streamer for Floyd Sherman.

Co-owner and rider Dustin Smith directed Whistlin’ Dixie A.L. straight out of the novice category as well with a unanimous top finish in the Owner-Amateur Novice Gentlemen on Stallions class. Smith is from Scottsville, Kentucky, and co-owner, Suzanne Reynolds is from Danville, Virginia. The Pony Express and owner-rider Nick Nickels rode to a red ribbon, while Mossberg and owner-rider Randy Stone placed third.

It was a repeat of 2023 for The Ultimate Honor and Jack Harney. The team received all five first-place votes from the judges in the Owner-Amateur Youth 6-14 Ponies class for Justin Harney of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Eleven of 13 expected entries were judged. Da Hoss, with Ally Jo Jacobs in the saddle for The Jacobs Family, earned reserve honors. I Am March Madness and co-owner Ryder Wright walked away with a yellow streamer for co-owner Debbie Woods.

Annie’s Lined With Cash and owner-rider Khloe Aymett McSwain rode to the winner’s circle in the Owner-Amateur Youth 12-17 Show Pleasure class as the unanimous pick of the judges. McSwain is from Alpharetta, Georgia, and Shelbyville, Tennessee. This team also won the class in 2022. This year, they are a perfect three-for-three in wins. Smoky Mountain Squire, along with owner-rider Ivy Freeman, were reserve, while Von Miller earned the third place tie for co-owner-rider Madelyn Smith and Jill Zamora-Smith. Fourteen of 21 anticipated entries showed in the class.

Another duo to shed their Celebration novice status was He’s For Real and Jerry Childers besting a field of 18 horse and rider duos in the Owner-Amateur Novice Gentlemen on Mares & Geldings class. He’s For Real won seven blues and a reserve in eight classes this year for the Gerald Childers Family of Somerset, Kentucky. My Brother In Arms left with the second place ribbon with Will Derickson riding for Maria Bobo. Outta Line Ritz and Jack Heffington rode to third for Jayden Jackson and Wylder Way. 

Up next was what a lot of people had been waiting for…the Aged Stallions splits. Three of the seven programmed entries were up first in the A Section. Tim Smith and Cavender made the unanimous winning ride for Bruce and Robin MacDonald of Shelbyville, Tennessee. They remain undefeated with four previously victories in 2024. Koufax, with Blaise Broccard aboard, was reserve for Jan and Ron Wagaman. Walkin’ Mr. Charlie and Lake Weaver walked to a yellow streamer for Michael Mosteller.

Five of eight scheduled entries competed in Section B of the Aged Stallions class to end the evening. Justified Honors and John Allan Callaway made their first step towards a fourth consecutive World Grand Championship with the blue ribbon ride for owner Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tennessee. It was their third consecutive win in this class and they retired the Ann Jones Poore and Ebony’s Time Around Memorial Challenge Trophy, the Mississippi Charity Horse Show Memorial Challenge Trophy and The Dark Spirit’s Rebel Memorial Challenge Trophy. Reserve in the class was Honor Of The Ritz with Dan Waddell aboard for Chavigny Beasley. Mr. Magnifico and Drew Graves took away the third place ribbon for Judy Case.