By Mitzi Oxford
The year was 1939. It marked the beginning of Dollar General which is now in almost every small town and large city in America. Sara Lee would soon become synonymous with bread and desserts. Blue Note Records introduced some legendary jazz greats including Art Blakey and Herbie Hancock. Marvel Comics offered endless stories of Superheroes. It was the beginning of affordable shopping choices, world class entertainment and food for the country.
For those who love the Tennessee Walking Horse,1939 was also the beginning of Middle Tennessee being recognized as the “Cradle of the Walking Horse Industry” from Wartrace and extending into Shelbyville and Lewisburg. What began as a dream for a horse festival honoring the breed, developed into the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. It was a legacy that began with Strolling Jim as the first World Grand Champion.
Now here we are for the 86th anniversary and 11 days of the greatest show on earth for walking horse enthusiasts. Riders, owners and trainers are excited, and so it begins with a team of world class judges. Most are veterans, but all know what they are looking for. Let ‘em walk on!
Derek Bonner
This is his fifth time judging the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Derek Bonner must be doing something right.
“Apparently, but to be honest each time, especially being asked to judge in back-to-back years, is about as great a compliment as I could get,” Derek said.
His first Celebration judging experience came in 2013. It was memorable.
“A Four-Year-Old World Champion, I Am Jose’, came back and earned the World Grand Championship. He also won the title in 2014. I judged next in 2015 and I Am Jose’ pulled off a threepeat world grand championship. It was special.”
In 2021, Derek was once again in the right place at the right time to be a part of Celebration history. One more time, a four-year-old stallion, Justified Honors, would take a world championship and the World Grand Championship. The next year, he repeated as the World Grand Champion, and again, in 2023, Derek was called on to mark the judge’s card.
“On that final Saturday night, when the lights dimmed, John Alan Callaway and Justified Honors rode into the spotlight and history last year. For me, it was an honor because his greatness won and it was special for me to witness that greatness.”
As he heads into center ring in a few days, Derek took some time to reflect on his past year of training at Bonner Stables, which he and his wife started in 1988 in Mooresboro, North Carolina.
“We have about nine horses in training and out of the seven shows we’ve competed at this year, we’ve been privileged to win several. It’s been fun to watch the horses that are coming on and developing.”
The Bonners also raise field trial bird dogs which balances out their day. Whether training walking horses or bird dogs, working with four legged winners is a big part of his life. A full day every day begs the question, what motivates Derek to take 11 days out of his life to continue the commitment to judge the world’s largest walking horse show?
“I love the Celebration, the excitement, pageantry and history. I don’t take the responsibility lightly. I appreciate our breed.”
Between the first time Derek judged 11 years ago and now, that responsibility has only grown more challenging because of the level of competition.
“It makes our job as judges harder because there aren’t as many unanimous decisions. The competition is at an all-time high and at the same time more equal than ever. In every class, there are three or four horses that could take the blue or a grand championship.”
It sets the stage for an exciting 86th TWHNC. Let the competition begin!
Jamie Bradshaw
He has judged the Celebration six times. This year, 2024, marks lucky #7 for Jamie Bradshaw. He is ready to roll the dice.
“The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is unlike any show you can judge. It is a well-oiled machine. Whether I’m showing or judging, walking into that ring still gives me chills,” said Jamie.
He also has years of special memories from judging smaller shows with big feels including Wartrace, Manchester, Cornersville and Fayetteville, which are in the “cradle” of the walking horse industry.
“Judging one night shows is unique. The atmosphere is more laid back. You get the history of the town and that is special to me.”
Growing up in Cedartown, Georgia, Jamie spent his summers at horse shows with Harvey LeFevers. After graduating from high school, he worked for Danny Latham and his brother Larry. Later, Jamie worked for Frank Clark at Clark Farms after leaving Latham’s. That led him to start his own training operation. He would spend the next 20 years working for Martha and Randall Ferguson.
Along the way he met his wife, Chrissy and settled in Arab, Alabama. They have two children, Brody who has shown horses and Ella who has shown up as a winner on the basketball court and the golf course in her high school years. They are proud of both.
Following this year’s Celebration, the family will be celebrating in a different way, Brody will be getting married to his high school sweetheart, Macy.
In or out of the ring, his credentials have been proven over the years in both pleasure and performance competition. His mounts have included World Champion and Reserve World Grand Champion Ritz’s Diamond Joe and Four-Year-Old World Grand Champion Jose’s Intimidator.
In the saddle or marking the cards as a judge, Jamie knows what he’s looking for in a winner.
“I look for a horse that best represents their division. I look for a horse that is doing what they should be doing based on their God given ability.”
Aside from one of the few who has judged the TWHNC seven times, Jamie was also the youngest to ever judge at 29 years old. The year was 2006. One of his fellow judges that year was Wink Groover, who rode Ace’s Sensation to the World Grand Championship in 1970.
Another of the judges that year was Ronnie Spears who rode Another Masterpiece to take the crown in 1968 and 11 years later captured another World Grand Championship with The Pushover.
With inspiration from his years in the industry and judging alongside Wink Groover and Ronnie Spears makes an impression on what to look for in that capacity.
With 22 years under his belt as a judge, what’s changed?
“It’s safe to say, the competition is tighter than ever. Years ago, there might have been one or two standout horses, now in each class, especially for the last one, the World Grand Championship, there could as many as five horse capable of winning.”
What makes for challenging judging makes for an exciting ride for all in the stands.
Scotty Brooks
Family and a business venture may have taken Scotty Brooks away from training and showing, but not entirely out of the ring. He will be judging the Celebration for the second time; his first experience marking the cards in the big oval was 2017.
He grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on a farm that raised dairy cows and grew row crops. His was also part of a family of walking horse enthusiasts including his dad, Ronnie, who showed in the 1960s. Scotty took riding lessons from fellow judge Leigh Stuart and made his showring debut at the age of 10.
After 26 years as a trainer, he hung up that title two years ago. His last show was in Pulaski.
“I was just ready for something different. The day-to-day business of training horses with no weekends off during show season sort of took their toll,” Scotty explained.
He also wanted more time for family. His kids, Hampton and Bentley, play football and travel baseball and, as supportive parents know, those are time consuming sports commitments. Those times with their kids are important to him and his wife Jennifer.
“My best friend and I started a decorative concrete business, Legacy Concrete Solutions and Sealing.”
Judging walking horse shows is still something he can fit in his schedule and relive his own experiences in the business. Since last year, Scotty has judged several premiere events including the Money Tree Classic, Columbia Spring Jubilee, the Celebration Fall Classic and the Alabama Jubilee Charity show. Now he finds himself back judging the world’s largest walking horse show.
“Judging the Celebration is an honor, a part of history. The respect and confidence shown to me by being selected means a lot.”
Like another fellow judge, Jamie Bradshaw, Scotty leans into the wisdom of Wink Groover who told him years ago to “look for the horse that covers the most ground in the least number of steps.”
Scotty will also be looking for the rhythm and motion that is unique to the breed.
“I believe with me not training every day, I can offer a fresh perspective.”
The decorative concrete business is where life has led him, but Scotty Brooks will always have a special place in his heart for the Tennessee Walking Horse.
Leigh Stuart
Across the board, from trainers, owners and riders, the adjectives describing her are the same - strong, smart and independent. The bottom line is Leigh Stuart is very well respected in the walking horse industry and is considered the “go-to” equitation instructor.
“As a young girl my mom saved her money to buy a horse. She made sure my siblings and I always had a horse to ride,” said Leigh.
Growing up on a farm in Bowling Green, Kentucky, her family had Tennessee Walking Horses in the front barn and Saddlebreds in the back barn. The Saddlebreds belonged to a friend, but her dad’s true love was walking horses.
Clay Simpson also influenced her life. He owned Ebony Masterpiece at the time he was crowned a Two-Year-Old World Champion. “He was like a granddaddy to me and my sister.”
Leigh’s first time attending the Celebration was 1966, 12 years later she won first on the pony her dad bought her, Major’s Tinkerbell. She describes those experiences as unforgettable.
Judging is even better. This will be her seventh time serving as a Celebration judge.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s flat shod or performance horses, when you’re standing there with a judge’s card in your hand at the Celebration, it’s electric.”
As someone who has been teaching riding lessons since the age of 15, she is looking at both horse and rider from her center ring position.
“When you get your form right, the horse will follow. I’m also looking at the ideal horse for their particular division. The industry has done an incredible job in breeding. I’m impressed at how far the Tennessee Walking Horse has come over the years.”
Fans applaud the perfect combination of horse and rider. For Leigh Stuart, that union means a little more.
“I’m positive that my purpose in life is to work with people and horses and in knowing which horse and rider belong together. It’s not just about riding lessons, it’s about life lessons.”
Leigh is passionate about working with kids because she believes it helps them develop into good adults both in and out of the show ring.
After serving as an instructor for 41 years, it’s likely that some of those kids have grown up and will be competing in the 86th Annual TWHNC.
Amy Trimble
There are many things that can be your worst nightmare in a show ring, a muddy track that causes a spill, breaking into a canter in front of the judge during the running walk or losing communication in your earbuds when relying on trainer’s instructions.
It’s been a tough ride for Amy Trimble leading up to the Celebration, and it has nothing to do with being in the show ring. Her husband Philip had a fall that landed him in ICU at Vanderbilt several weeks ago.
Amy is loved and respected in the walking horse industry. Her friends were lifting her and Philip in prayer. Now that her husband is in rehab and recovering, she looks forward to judging the Celebration.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be chosen to judge the Celebration. This is my second time judging. My first time was two years ago. It comes at a time when I need an uplifting break,” Amy said.
As an only child growing up in Greenville, Kentucky, she started riding at the age of 10 and has been showing ever since across the south. She won her first world championship four years ago on We Will Rock You.
Over the years, Amy has also judged shows at some major events including the Columbia Spring Jubilee, Money Tree Classic and the Celebration Fall Classic.
She is looking for the same traits in walking horses that most of her fellow judges desire including a rider who presents the horse well, consistent with ears up and a good backend. “I love the combination of a horse who loves their job and a rider who presents to win.”
She is set to respond to what has happened in her life recently by honoring a commitment to judge the 86th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. She has a family and support base in place that allows her to continue with her obligation.
Aside from Philip’s progress, she and her husband have another bright spot in their lives. Their son Colton has obtained a scholarship to play baseball at UT Southern. Their family is very proud of his many accomplishments!
Sometimes life takes a turn. Sometimes you have to make lemonade out of lemons. Sometimes you get to judge the world’s largest walking horse competition. Here we are with Amy Trimble back in the center ring despite life’s challenges.