by Mark McGee

Monday night … the night of the highly anticipated Two-Year-Old Stallions at the 86th annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in “The Big Oval”.

Ronnie Spears and White Diamond Dollar, along with the Stars and Stripes signaled the start of the performance. Larry Crismon of Bright Temple Church of God In Christ prayed, followed by Stephanie Nash from Chapel Hill giving a great rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”. 

Announcer, Mark Farrar welcomed the Owner-Amateur Gentlemen Fine Harness class to begin the 15-class schedule. All three listed entries were in the class. It was a three-peat win for In Ted’s Image and owner-driver Ron Lawrence from Lenoir City, Tennessee. This was the fifth consecutive blue for In Ted’s Image, with one reserve in 2024. He’s Ballistic and owner-driver Dr. David Bullock were reserve. Call My Lawyer and owner-driver Jack Davis rode out with a yellow ribbon.

Luciano and owner-rider LaMar DePoyster from Greenville, Kentucky, paired for the first place tie in the Owner-Amateur Western Country Pleasure class that hosted 14 entries. They are three-for-three in top finishes this year. Gi Gi’s Majestic, a “Classic” horse, was awarded a red ribbon with Elysse Bradford on board for William Bradford. Jose’s Twist Of Gin and Patti Pollack were third for Silver Spur Legacy LLC.

Fourteen of 21 expected teams took to the ring in the Owner-Amateur Pony Mares & Geldings class. I’m Charlie Black CFF was in top form as the unanimous blue ribbon winner with co-owner Dalia Smith-Harr riding for co-owner Kenny Smith of Manchester, Kentucky. They have four blues in four classes this show season. Pappy Van Winkle and co-owner Kim Butler, the class winner in 2023 and 2022, was reserve for co-owner Bruce Butler. My Ticket To Ride’s destination was a yellow streamer. Rae Abernathy was in the saddle for Sandy Shumate.

Born A Maverick and owner-rider Bob Adcock from Lititz, Pennsylvania, were the first place tie in the Owner-Amateur Five-Year-Old Stallions class. They have been awarded three blues and a second in four classes this year. In 2023, they were named the Owner-Amateur Four-Year-Old World Grand Champions. He’s Hot and owner-rider Sister Milligan rode out with a red streamer, while the third place honor went to A Shade Of Jose’ and Buck Buchanan. Eleven of 20 planned entries made the ring.

Up next was the first of three split in the Two-Year-Old Stallions class. Thirteen of 23 programmed entries rode in the class. Shoulda Been A Cowboy and Sam Martin were called from the lineup to accept the first place awards for Floyd Sherman of Shelbyville. They were the first place tie in the class, and also walked out with the National Futurity Championship. They were the unanimous choice of the five-judge panel. General Thomas J. Jackson was reserve with Michael Wright in the irons for Shannon and Ed Cotter. He’s Old Crow earned the third place award with Derek Monahan in the saddle for Ginger Williams.

Smoking was hot with owner-rider Allyson Armstrong from Hickory, North Carolina, making the trip down victory lane in the Owner-Amateur Five-Year-Old Mares & Geldings class. They are unbeaten in four classes this year. She’s Lady May, with Frank Mosley aboard for owner Dr. Barbara Moersch, walked out with a red streamer. Simply Country was third with Stephanie White riding for Toni White. Twelve of 24 listed entries were in the ring for judging.

Sam Martin was back in the winner’s circle in Section B of the Two-Year-Old Stallions class aboard Hell Or High Water, also owned by Floyd Sherman. The Chief BK carried out the red ribbon with Clay Sanderson for the Barnes and Kilgore partnership. I Am Rampage, with Casey Wright in the saddle for James Vernon, was third. Eleven of 23 programmed entries made it to “The Big Oval”.

Next to the ring was the 15.2 & Under Stallions competitors that hosted eight of the 25 listed entries. Millionaire’s Row was in blue ribbon form with Bill Callaway in the irons for owner Jackie Greenwalt from Brownsville, Kentucky. They were the unanimous selection of the judges. Josh Watts and Form A Line made the red ribbon ride for Carole and Lee Baxter, Record High and Dan Waddell left the ring with a yellow streamer for owner Brenda Marmon.

The third and final section of the Two-Year-Old Stallions brought 13 more horse and rider teams to ring. Tide Pride rolled to top honors with Tanner Burks in the saddle for the Holland and Clark partnership. Sky Command’s Rainmaker and Brent Grider were the second place tie for Karen Gaither. Look At Choo placed third with Bill Callaway in the irons for John Puckett.

Cash Agenda had a winning agenda in the Owner-Amateur Gentlemen Show Pleasure class with co-owner Jimbo Conner riding for co-owner Kyle Hicks. Both are from Sevierville, Tennessee. Rat Tailed Jimmy and Will Cole placed second for Thomas Holton. Title Sweepstake and co-owner-rider Ronnie Grider took home a yellow ribbon for owners Ware and Grider. Fifteen of 23 entered in the program vied for top honors.

Ohh Troubador put on a show to win top honors in the Elite Owner-Amateur Ladies on Stallions class with owner-rider Allyson Armstrong from Hickory, North Carolina. They are a perfect three-for three in classes this year. Mach 1 sped to a second place ribbon with Molly Walters in the saddle for The Molly Walters Family. All About Jose’ was third with owner-rider Jackie Whaley. Ten of 21 programmed entries competed.

For the third year in a row, it was Gotcha Jose’ and Dr. Brittany Baum called to the winner’s circle in the Owner-Amateur Mares & Geldings class. They were the unanimous pick of the judges, adding this to their undefeated season. Miss Heavenly Cash and owner-rider Shelby Sims were reserve. Joe Pa and owner-rider Shane Porterfield claimed the third place tie. Ten entries made the gate call for the class.

Seventeen of 24 anticipated entries made the gate call in the A section of the Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares & Geldings class. Gray was turned to blue when owner-rider Charlotte Gray from Odenville, Alabama, directed I’m Meredith Grey to the top honor. In three shows this year, they have two wins and one reserve. CharBlackwood was reserve with owner-rider Jimbo Conner, while Toddy Time was presented with the yellow streamer with co-owner Ty Irby on board for co-owner Sue Irby.

It was a repeat trip to the winner’s circle for Broadway Honors and Knox Blackburn as the unanimous selection of the judges for owners Lorraine and Keith Rosbury of Bell Buckle. The win came in the Experienced Trainers class. The talented team has ridden to four blues and a reserve in 2024. Say Cash and Sam Martin rode to a red ribbon for Susan and Dan Erwin. Smoky Mountain Strong and Chris Helton pulled in for a third place finish for Jimbo Conner. Nine of 31 expected entries made the gate.

In the last class of the night, 16 of 25 programmed entries participated in Section B of the Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares & Geldings class. As the clock moved close to midnight, Smoochen With Charlie threw a shoe as the class lined up for final judging. With co-owner Jae Crunk aboard for co-owner Dan Crunk from Walnut Hill, Illinois, Smoochen With Charlie won the class and needed to have a shoe replaced in order to make a victory pass. They have been awarded three first and a second in four classes this year. She’s Almost A Ten claimed the second place tie with Ronnie Stanfill in the saddle for Judy Stanfill. She’s Lined With Love 4G was third with owner-rider Maria Bobo.