by Mark McGee

It was a “Wild West Celebration” at the 86th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Friday night.
Showdowns are part of the “old West” lore. And, one appears to be set up in competition for the Three-Year-Old World Grand Championship between Ohtani and John Allan Callaway, and Spotlight On Jose 4G and Bill Callaway. The brothers were winners of their sections. Also in the mix are 8 Mile SWF and Casey Wright, reserve in Section A and No Apology and Sam Martin, third in Section A. Powerball JHA and Lake Weaver, and Here I Am and Casey Wright, reserve and third respectively in Section B, also will be ready for a rematch.

When it comes to singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” nobody does it better than Murfreesboro’s Leah Boyd who offered another of her thrilling renditions after the invocation by Eddie Reed of Living Stones Community Church. Ronnie Spears and White Diamond Dollar presented the colors.

Senator Bill Hagerty, described by Celebration announcer Mark Farrar as “a great friend of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry”, was a special guest for the evening.

Under a clear blue sky, 14 classes, which included two splits, were scheduled for “The Big Oval”.
Six entries took to the ring in the first class of the night. The Blackstone was driven to a first place award by owner-driver Kelly Manis from Laurinburg, North Carolina, in the Owner-Amateur Ladies Fine Harness class. It was the second blue for Manis and The Blackstone in 2024. My Tequila Sunrise was shining bright for a reserve with Ann Marie Couch, while Outlier and owner-drive Barbara Civils were third.

The Western Lite-Shod class was up next and hosted four of the eight programmed entries. Space Cowboy SN was called to the winner’s circle with Jonathan Baskin in the saddle for Skyler Nipper of Shelbyville, Tennessee. They were the unanimous selection of the five judges. In six classes this season, Space Cowboy SN has been awarded five blues and one reserve. Taking a second place ribbon was Big Time Bandit with Patrick Thomas aboard for Lisa and Dr. Jim Baum. The Master Of Ceremonies was the third tie with Fount Darnell in the irons for Darnell and Moran.

My Brother In Arms and Thomas Derickson were the top tie in the seven entry 15.2 & Under Mares & Geldings class for owner Maria Bobo of Shelbyville. It was their second top finish this show season. I Am Bold And Spicy Jose’, with Tyler Baucom in the stirrups, was awarded reserve for Connie Hess. Comasta Laqunta walked out with a yellow ribbon with Dan Waddell riding for Brenda Marmon.

D.B. Cooper was found in the winner’s circle in the Owner-Amateur Youth Park Performance Mares & Geldings class as the unanimous choice of the judges. Seven of nine listed entries participated. Laney Mullinax was in the saddle for Angela Mullinax from Woodbury, Tennessee. It was their fourth blue of 2024. Draw A Line and Jackson Laughlin received a red streamer for owner Robert Deutsch. Lilly Waites and co-owner Addie Harris were the third place tie for co-owner Charlotte Crestman.

The Dixie Label and Wyatt Puckett rode to top honors in a very competitive Owner-Amateur Youth 6-11 Geldings class that saw seven talented teams vie for top honors. Mike and Casey Tracy of Blakey, Georgia, are the owners of The Dixie Label. It’s The Medalist received a red streamer with Eli Cunningham aboard for the Wilson and Cunningham partnership. Cole Haan and owner-rider Ally Jo Jacobs rode to third place spot.

Title Line and co-owner-rider Connie Everett of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, walked away with the win in the Owner-Amateur English Park Pleasure world championship. It was a repeat win in the class for Title Line, who earned the 2023 title with Abby Farmer. In 2024, Title Line has a blue and two seconds in three classes. Dixie’s Legacy was ridden to reserve by co-owner Sister Milligan for co-owner Billie DeArmond. She’s A Weekend Freak placed third with Troy Eppenger on board for Jessie Love, Jr.

Eleven talented teams were next to the Big Oval to compete for the Owner-Amateur 70 & Over title. For the second year in a row, it was Good Samaritan and Pam Russell called from the line up to take the victory pass. The pair remains undefeated this season. Honored In Texas and owner-rider Bob Adcock took home a red streamer, while Powerstroked By Jose was third with Sister Milligan.

Sweet Miss Charlie and co-owner-rider Charlotte Gray are Celebration novices no more with a winning ride in Section A of the Owner-Amateur Novice Ladies on Mares & Geldings class. Gray is from Odenville, Alabama, and co-owner Sadie Reed is from Arab, Alabama. They have two blues and one reserve in three shows this year. M.T. Pockets walked out with a red ribbon for owner-rider Natalie Baker LeGate. Super Time Charlie and co-owner-rider Taylor France were the third place tie for co-owner Tommy Jowers. The gate was closed with 10 of 18 programmed entries in the class.

Up next to the ring was the first section of Three-Year-Old Stallions. Ohtani, who is owned by Dr. Barbara Moersch, was directed to the world championship win by John Allan Callaway. The duo is undefeated in four classes in 2024. 8 Mile SWF was reserve with Casey Wright riding for Darrell Oliver. No Apology and Sam Martin rode out with a yellow ribbon for Bryden and Tuttle. With multiple class entries by some riders, nine of 21 listed horses were in the ring. 

The novice division has lost another member with Heza War Horse and Chasity Fulcher taking unanimous top honors in Section B of the Owner-Amateur Novice Ladies on Mares & Geldings class. Heza War Horse, a “Classic” horse, is owned by Chris Fulcher from Oriental, North Carolina. They have been awarded three blues and one reserve in five classes this year. Prominence and Rhonda Cole were reserve for Thomas Holton, while Yeti and owner-rider Michelle Plafcan pulled in for the third place honor. Of the 18 programmed entries, 13 made the gate call.

Bill Callaway was in the saddle on Spotlight On Jose 4G for a first place finish in Section B of the Three-Year-Old Walking Stallions class that hosted 10 horse and rider duos. Owned by Bob Adcock of Lutz, Pennsylvania, they are unbeaten in four classes in 2024. Powerball JHA was the second tie with Lake Weaver riding for Karen Bean. Here I Am CL took home a yellow streamer with Casey Wright in the saddle for Silver Spur Legacy LLC.
Out of an impressive field of 17, I’m Moonlighting, a “Classic” horse, was named the blue ribbon victor in the Owner-Amateur Ladies Show Pleasure class with Stephanie Elliott from Tuscumbia, Alabama, in the irons. They are a perfect three-for-three in blues this show season, remaining undefeated. The Honor Code was second with Lisa Baum aboard, while He’s A Jailbird J.A., also a “Classic” horse, was awarded a yellow streamer with Sherry Bonner on board for Joe Bertram.

A Dark Horse and Jacie Booth of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, said goodbye to novice Celebration status taking the blue in the Owner-Amateur Novice Ladies on Stallions class. Eleven of 16 programmed entries made it to the show ring. The red ribbon was presented to An Apocalypse and owner-rider Tina Goode. I’m Doc Holliday earned the third place tie with co-owner Casey Tracey on board.

Seven of 17 scheduled entries performed in the Owner-Amateur Ladies on Mares class. Quite An Honor and Beth Beasley won the blue for The Beth Beasley Family of Athens, Alabama. Quite An Honor is undefeated in four classes, three with Maxine Beasley riding. My Honey Bee buzzed to a red ribbon with Taylor Walters in the saddle for The Molly Walters Family. Harley Quinn was third for owner-rider Beth Collins Showalter.