By Mark McGee | Photos by Shane Shiflet

It was a perfect setting for the first night of the 86th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration as a touch of autumn greeted fans to “The Big Oval”.

Jimmy Choo and Justified Honors were the big winners in the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA) National Futurity weanling and yearling classes. Three of champions were Jimmy Choo’s offspring, and two were sired by Justified Honors.

The 16-class schedule featured a mix of regular classes with Futurity competition, showcasing the young competitors. Right on time at 7 p.m., Ronnie Spears and White Diamond Dollar made the traditional ride presenting the American flag. Jim Moran of First Presbyterian Church presented the invocation, followed by a beautifully performed rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”.

Ring announcer Mark Farrar welcomed the National Futurity Weanling Colts, Foaled Spring 2024 contenders to open the night with 10 of the 12 programmed entries making the gate call. In his show ring debut, Ah Ah Ah Choo walked to a unanimous first place tie from the five-judge panel with handler Lynn Womack guiding for owners Dr. Roger Richards of Bell Buckle and Bobby Joe Jones of Manchester. Last year, Jones’ Choo Tobacco Choo Tobacco was victorious in this same class. Both contenders were sired by Jimmy Choo. Reserve was Just In Time with Amanda Wright leading for The George Wright Family and Joe Link. Dizzy Dean RW placed third with Marty Warren leading for Denise and Steve Smith.

Sherri Pollack, from Saratoga, California, and Talkin’ Tennessee rode to the winner’s circle in the Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Trail Pleasure class for S & P, LLC. The class hosted 11 of the 12 scheduled entries. This was a debut performance for the winning team. He’z Sugar Daddy, with Finley New aboard for Cindy and Bobby Richards, rode out with a red ribbon, while B. Purdy and Patti Pollack earned the yellow streamer for Silver Spur Legacy, LLC.

Honor The Angel Flight and Barbara Appleton walked away with the blue ribbon for owner Larry Appleton from Town Creek, Alabama, in the Owner-Amateur Park Performance Five & Under class that hosted 12 entries. It was the first blue for 2024 for the winning duo. I Am Somethin’ and Howard Eastridge were second for Mr. and Mrs. Howard Eastridge. Third place honors were presented to Collision and owner-rider Sister Milligan. 

All nine programmed entries competed in the National Futurity Weanling Fillies, Foaled Spring 2024 class. Clarabel Chugga Choo Choo was led to the unanimous top honors and the multi-colored champion’s ribbon for owner and breeder Makayla Kay Jennings of Jamestown, Tennessee. The winner was sired by Jimmy Choo and is out of Jose’ Rocking Lady. Charlie’s Country Girl and handler Jaron Dotson were reserve for Jesse Dotson, Jr. and Paul Simmons. The yellow streamer went to Justa Queen with Rachel Dorris leading for owner and breeder Sister Milligan.

Three of six expected entries made the gate call in the Western Park Pleasure class were Gomez and Amber Zahnd were called out as the unanimous victors for owner Brock Wampler from Midway, Tennessee. It was their second blue in two shows in 2024. They also won the class at the Celebration in 2023. He’s A Dixieland Delight was second with Jeff Laughlin in the saddle for owner Vickie Penick. Olympic Aftershock and Jamey Thompson walked out with a yellow ribbon for co-owners Brassy, Clark and Thompson.

Thunder Storm In Dixie blew to blue ribbon honors in the 12 entry Owner-Amateur Two & Three-Year-Old All Day Pleasure class. Co-owner and rider, Eli Murphy was in the saddle for co-owner Sterling Woodruff of Shelbyville. Thunder Storm In Dixie has three blues and two reserves in five classes this show season. Co-owner Maggie Moore rode Cowboy Copper to the red streamer, while Daddy’s Angel tied third with owner-rider Kathy Anderson. 
All About Choo, with handler Robert Nelms, walked to first place and the Futurity championship in the National Futurity Yearling Fillies, Foaled Spring 2023 class. Nine of 11 planned entries competed. All About Choo is owned by Teel and Washburn from Fayetteville, Tennessee. Bred by Tracy Boyd, All About Choo was sired by Jimmy Choo, and out of Royal Line. It was the duo’s fifth blue in six classes in 2024. Tiny Bikini was led to reserve by Marty Warren for owners Denise and Steve Smith. Tell Me Have You Cena placed third with Lynn Womack serving as handler.

The largest class of the night was next with 19 of the 27 programmed entries vying for top honors. It was the duo of Risk It and owner-rider Sister Milligan from Panama City, Florida, topping the Owner-Amateur Show Pleasure Five & Under competition. It was their second blue ribbon in a row this year. Hey I’m Carlos, with co-owner Herschel Blessing in the irons, placed second. George Of The Jungle was strong in third with owner Terry Logan Lunsford aboard.

Next to the ring were five of the six scheduled entries in the National Futurity Weanling Colts & Fillies, Foaled Spring 2024. The top three places were all sired by Justified Honors. Mona Lisa Mona Lisa and handler Lynn Womack brought a smile to owners Dr. Roger Richards from Bell Buckle and Bobby Joe Jones of Manchester. It was their second Futurity championship win of the evening. Mona Lisa Mona Lisa is out of Me And Mrs. Jones. Mona Lisa Mona Lisa has earned nine blues and two reserves in 11 classes in 2024. Rhythm Nation and handler Robert Nelms were reserve for Link and Nelms. Justify That was guided to third by Ronald Morton for owner Franklin Harvey.

Jimmer’s Country Girl received the unanimous first place tie with Josh Watts in the saddle for owner Carole Baxter of Alexandria, Louisiana, in the Four-Year-Old Mares & Geldings (Canter) class. It was the third blue in six classes this show season for Jimmer’s Country Girl. Oh! My Black Betty and Dan Waddell rode hard for owners Darlene and George Zamora and Verner and Jill Zamora Smith earning the red streamers. Rounding out third was Jose’s Havana Nights and R.M. Kellett for Mr. and Mrs. Howard Eastridge.

Nine of the 11 scheduled teams were next to the ring vying for the National Futurity Yearling Colts, Foaled Spring 2023 class. Totally Justified and handler Beverly Carter won the top spot for owners Dr. Jim and Lisa Baum of Shelbyville. Totally Justified is undefeated in four classes in 2024. Robert Nelms led A Time Traveler to the second place finish for The Dr. George Wright Family, while Choo Tobacco Choo Tobacco and handler Chris Richards walked out the yellow ribbon. 

Eleven of 13 programmed entries answered the gate call for the Amateur Owned & Trained Country Pleasure class. Hey Charlene, with co-owner Amanda Manis aboard, took home the blue for co-owners Justin and Walker Manis. It was their third consecutive win in the class. In 2021, they were named the Owner-Amateur Country Pleasure World Grand Champions. Second place was Stapleton with co-owner Maggie Moore in the irons. He Is Forrest Gump earned third with Whitlei Burks in the saddle.

Mr. For Real was the real deal with Dalia Smith-Harr of Olive Hill, Kentucky, in the saddle for the unanimous blue ribbon ride for Renee Smith of Manchester in the Owner-Amateur Mares & Geldings (Canter) class. Four of six listed entries showed. Mr. For Real added this win to three other blue ribbons for the 2024 season. The red ribbon was presented to A Dixie General and owner-rider Laura Mauney. Stoned On Gin and James Abernathy were third for Ella Abernathy.

Next to the ring was the Elite Owner-Amateur Gentlemen on Mares & Geldings contenders with 12 teams making the gate call. Honor And Salute, with owner-rider Kerry DeArmond from Greer, South Carolina, in the irons, rode to the winner’s circle. Finishing in the reserve position was Uptight Jose and owner Bruce MacDonald, while A Home Run By Ted and owner Greg Kiser walked out with a yellow streamer. 

Four of five expected entries competed in the National Futurity Yearling Fillies & Colts, Foaled Fall 2022 class. My Spring Fling and handler Beverly Carter won the blue ribbon unanimously for owners Joel Ellis Cheshire and Roger Richards of Bell Buckle. My Spring Fling was sired by Ben D’or and out of The Tennessee Chrome. I’m Robert Nelms was led to second by Robert Nelms for Joe Link. Pretty Mistress and handler Ronald Morton took third for Rocky Bowden.

A total of 18 entries closed out the night in the Owner-Amateur Four-Year-Old Stallions class. Gunsmith and David Sisk rode to the blue as the unanimous selection of the judges for owner Dr. Linda Sisk of Columbia. They have three blues and a reserve finish in four classes in 2024. Reserve went to Hotty Toddy Gosh A’Mighty and owner-rider Greg Kiser. Rounding out the third spot was Sweet Black Gin with owner Lorraine Rosbury aboard.