by Mark McGee
It was the Monday before Labor Day, so in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry that means we have come to the final morning session of the Celebration. The weather remained beautiful for all to enjoy the show in Cooper Steel Arena. Pleasure and weanling halter classes were what the 13-class schedule for the morning consisted of, closing out with a final equitation class.
Seven horse and rider teams took to the ring bright and early to compete for the Owner-Amateur Western Trail Pleasure title. For the fourth year in a row, it was Susan Coleman and Machete walking to victory lane in this class with a unanimous decision from the judging panel. The talented duo is undefeated this season, in fact they have a streak of 12 wins dating back to 2022. The red streamer was presented to King Mojo and Kathy Anderson, while Twenty Four Carrots ML and Maggie Moore rounded of the third place spot.
Up next to the ring were the stunning Weanling Colts that hosted eight of the 11 entered teams. Remaining undefeated, and with a unanimous decision from the judges, was Aah Aah Aah Choo and Lynn Womack. Owned by the partnership of Dr. Roger Richards and Bobby Joe Jones, Ah Ah Ah Choo may have a small show ring resume with three wins, but those three wins include a TWHBEA National Futurity title and two world championships. Robert Nelms was at the lead of Just In Time to earn the reserve spot for the partnership of Wright and Link. The yellow streamer was picked up by Jaron Dotson leading Jobe for Jesse Dotson, Jr.
The next class to the show ring brought five horse and rider teams seeking to walk out of the Celebration novice division in the Owner-Amateur Novice Lite-Shod class. Picking up his second 2024 Celebration world championship was Space Cowboy SN, this time with owner Skyler Nipper in the saddle. Elaine Kapinos and Marvel Mystery came in a close second, and Val Halla and Kimberly Delano earned the third place award.
More novice duos were next up the chute in the Owner-Amateur Novice Youth Trail Pleasure class with all eight entered in the program making their appearance. Right back in the winner’s circle following his world championship win Sunday night with Jacie Booth was He’s A Knight Rider picking up his second title unanimously. This morning, it was Bre Lovvorn’s turn to make the coveted victory pass for the Lovvorn, Booth, Coleman and Harden partnership. Ella Grace Healon directed Revival E.G. to the second place finish, while Dixie Revival and Reese Abernathy carried out the yellow ribbon.
Another unanimous decision of the judging panel was earned in the Weanling Fillies class that brought nine of the 12 scheduled entries to the ring. It was the popular team of Clarabel Chugga Choo Choo and Robert Nelms called from the lineup for proud owner Makayla Jennings. This win was added to their TWHBEA National Futurity and National Futurity Spring Weanling Fillies World Championship from Wednesday evening. Leighanne Tibbs was at the lead of Splash Of Blue for the red streamer, while La Mayahuel and Karen McGee Harnden walked out with the third place finish.
Adding the 2024 Owner-Amateur Western Lite-Shod World Championship to their 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Owner-Amateur Western Lite-Shod World Championships was the talented team of Big Time Bandit and Lisa Baum. Undefeated in amateur lite-shod competition this year, the pair was the unanimous decision of the judging panel for this latest world championship. Coming in a close second was Terry Moran aboard The Master Of Ceremonies. Miss Dixie Flyer and Ronnie Rushing pulled from the line up as the third place finishers in the 5 entry class.
It was tough competition in the next class as nine top teams converged on Cooper Steel Arena to vie for the Owner-Amateur Four-Year-Old Country Pleasure World Championship. After the cards were tallied, it was the popular team of Kaitlyn Rippy and Crypto who emerged from the lineup as the victors. Second place honors were presented to Quesadilla and Sherri Pollack, while Palmer Valentine Parker and Shady And Black closed out the top three spots.
Another unanimous decision came from the judging panel in the Owner-Amateur Five-Year-Old Country Pleasure class. In fact, all five judges agreed on the placings of first, second and third. Seven teams battled it out, but it was the undefeated team of Shipwrecked and Dr. Shana Hughes who pulled out victorious to claim the world championship title. This is the third year in a row this dynamic duo has come out on top earning the three-year-old, four-year-old and, now, five-year-old amateur country pleasure titles. A Knightime Menace and Vickie Moore accepted the reserve finish, while Theresa Williams and Luchador was presented with the yellow streamer.
A total of 12 teams were programmed for the Two & Three-Year-Old Country Pleasure class. As the gates closed in Cooper Steel Arena calling the class to order, eight teams had made it for judging. Laurie Toone was in the saddle aboard Legit to capture the world championship for Bo and Rachel Teague. Dead Beat Daddy and Jessica Mast were presented with the second place award, and Oklahoma Smokeshow and Joe Lester rounded out the top three finishers.
The Two-Year-Old Lite-Shod class saw just one entry, of the two entered, in the ring. Patrick Thomas directed Red Rum SS to the top award for Gary and Carolyn Pope. Shown sparingly, in fact, only once before, Red Rum SS remains undefeated with this new world championship title added to his name.
It was back to novice competition next as 12 of 18 entered teams rode hard to earn the Owner-Amateur Novice English Trail Pleasure World Championship blue ribbon. Following much discussion and crowd support in the recent International Maiden competition, it was Finley New and two-year-old He’z Sugar Daddy emerging victorious for Bobby and Cindy Richards. He’s A Knight Rider was back in the ring, this time with Andrea Coleman in the irons to claim the reserve finish. Third place was presented to Blue Suede Shooz JHA and April Peal.
The second to last class of the morning brought eight teams up the chute, each with hopes of earning the Owner-Amateur Five & Under Park Pleasure World Championship. After the cards were marked and tallied, A Sterling Honors and Jayden Jackson were called to the winner’s circle for the Robbins and Jackson partnership. Second place honors were presented to Alex Johnson and Aviation Gin. Rounding out the top three spots was the team of I Am 2 Be Feared and Darden Gladney.
Adult Equitation closed out the morning competition. Two well put together horse and lady riders performed rail work and a pattern displaying exceptional poise the entire time. Connie N. Everett was given the nod unanimously from the judging panel to earn the final victory pass. The red streamer was presented to Marley Doyle.