By Britney Brown
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – For the first Friday night at The Celebration, it is a relatively new Celebration tradition to have Wild West Night. Ladies don their fanciest cowgirl boots, and the gentlemen showcase their tallest cowboy hats. This Celebration Friday night was no different. The invocation was said by Rev. Jeannie Hunter of First Presbyterian Church of Shelbyville, and the national anthem was sung by Nicole Waggoner of Bell Buckle.
Class 69 was the first of 12 classes on the program, Owner-Amateur Ladies Fine Harness. Eight entries answered the gate call as Judge Scotty Brooks called the gaits in the class. After lining up head-to-tail on the west rail, My Tequila Sunrise with owner Ann Marie Couch of Franklin at the whip, was selected to wear the blue streamer and neck ribbon. This was the first career world championship for My Tequila Sunrise, after winning this year at the Cornersville Lions Club, Columbia Spring Jubilee, WHTA Fireworks & Freedom and Heart Of A Champion. Reserve in the good class was awarded to three-time World Champion The Blackstone and Kelly Manis, the owner and driver. They won at Walking In The Smokies in 2026. Walking to a third-place finish was World Champion and World Grand Champion Jose’s Vindicator with owner Caroline Wesley Way driving.
Owner-Amateur Ponies Stallions, Class 70, was next on the program. Eight entries answered the gate call as Sam Sorrell called the class. The competition was fierce, but in the end it was three-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Slim And Hot and Sister Milligan who wore the blue for Martha Blackmon Milligan of Panama City, Florida. They won in 2026 at Walking In The Smokies as well. Taking reserve in the class was World Champion Bouje and Dr. Lynda Brogden, the owner and up. They had victories in 2026 at the FAST Spring Showcase, the Spring Fun Show and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Third on the judges’ cards was two-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Dark Rain with owner Taylor Walters in the irons.
Class 71, Owner-Amateur Ladies on Novice Mares & Geldings, was next. These 21 entries vied for their first world championship title as Judge Chad Williams called the gaits. The class was massive, and these novice riders fought for a spot on the rail. Out of the lineup, Strolling In Dixie and Sarah Weddington-Adams were called to make the victory pass for Ben and Emily Weddington of Brentwood. In 2026, they wore blue at the Mid-South Horse Show Association, West Tennessee Strawberry Festival, Spring Fun Show, Belfast Lions Club and Heart Of A Champion. Coming to a reserve finish was Heeza Jose and Ginger Young for Mike Young. They won this year at the Alabama Ladies’ Auxiliary. Wearing the yellow streamer was I’m Lock-N-Load and Edwina Duddy, the owner and rider.
Walking Mares & Geldings, 15.2 & Under, Class 72, came down the hill with 13 entries answering the gate call. Rollie Beard called the gaits in the class as the trainers took to the rail. Wearing the blue streamer and neck ribbon in the class for the third year in a row was three-time World Champion My Brother In Arms and Dan Waddell for owners Todd and Shanna Jackson of Monroe, Georgia. They won in 2026 at the Spring Fun Show and the Woodbury Lions Club. Reserve in the class was two-time World Champion Charlie’s Phantom and Sam Martin for Peggy Mervine. They won in 2026 at Walking For Cancer. Wearing the yellow streamer was the team of I’m On The Honor Roll and Drew Graves for Doug Quire.
Class 73, Amateur Owned & Trained Five & Under was next on the program, with eight horse-and-rider teams competing for world championship honors. Judge Derek Bonner called the class as competition got underway. J Brantley struck up “Oh My Darling Clementine” as the entries each found a spot on the rail. In the end, it was Hang Tight Honey CL and Carson Adams, up for Chad Adams of Goldsboro, North Carolina. They made the victory pass to earn Hang Tight Honey CL’s first career blue ribbon. Taking home reserve was the team of Commonwealth Attorney and Kenny Smith, the owner and up. Commonwealth Attorney won at Heart Of A Champion before coming to The Celebration. Finally, walking to a third-place finish was I Am Rolex and Shane Porterfield for Harper Lorance.
The call came for Owner-Amateur Park Performance Stallions, class 74. Judge Brooks called the class of 14 entries. At the top of the judges’ cards was One Mississippi with owner Tyler Brugh of Hiram, Georgia, riding. One Mississippi makes his first ever Celebration performance a world champion ride after 2026 wins at the Sticky City Classic, Cullman County Classic, The Horse Show in Franklin, Georgia, the Belfast Lions Club, Alabama Ladies Auxiliary and the RHBAA Amateur Association Walking & Racking Show. Taking home the crimson streamer for George and Kim Lewis was FAST Spring Showcase and Columbia Spring Jubilee winner, Mayor Bill, with Kim in the irons. Walking into the third position was three-time World Champion and World Grand Champion “Wanted” THF and Dr. Jim Baum for Lisa Baum.
Class 75, Owner-Amateur Youth 6-11 on Geldings brought 11 entries into the ring. Judge Sorrell called the class as competition took to the rail. Many of these young riders directed seasoned Celebration champions. However, coming into the winner’s circle to receive the blue was Cole Haan with Ally Jo Jacobs riding for the Jacobs Family of Murfreesboro. With this win they retired the Coin’s Clown and Delight’s Sundance Challenge Trophy. This was Cole Haan and Jacob’s third world championship, after 2026 victories at the Belfast Lions Club and Wartrace shows. Walking to reserve was World Champion I’m Shady and Bentlee Baum for owner Jacob Baum. Their accolades this year include wins at the Spring Extravaganza and Heart Of A Champion. The yellow streamer went to six-time World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion The Dixie Label and Briar Rose Hollander for Mike and Casey Tracy.
Owner-Amateur Ladies on Mares, class 76, was next on the program for the night. Judge Williams called the class as the 11 entries began fierce competition on the rail. In the end, the first place was awarded to two-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Quite An Honor and Maxine Bealey for Beth Beasley of Athens, Alabama. After winning at the Walking For Cancer and the Woodbury Lions Club shows in 2026, Maxine enjoyed her first world championship ride as an adult rider. Second award in the good class was three-time World Champion Harley Quinn with owner Beth Collins-Showalter in the irons. Wearing the gold ribbon was the team of Blondie! 3A and Dr. Ann Rea, the owner and rider.
With over half of the night’s classes concluded, the call came for class 77, Owner-Amateur Stallions, Riders 70 & Over. Judge Beard served as the call judge for these five entries. With experience and skill, the riders guided their horses around the ring. Many of the entries were legendary champions. Out of the lineup to receive the blue was World Grand Champion Powerstroked By Jose with owner Sister Milligan of Panama City, Florida, in the irons. They had wins in 2026 at the FAST Spring Showcase and Columbia Spring Jubilee. Finishing in reserve was the team of four-time World Champion and three-time World Grand Champion Born A Maverick, with owner Bob Adcock riding for Deb and Bob Adcock. Their wins this year were at the Spring Extravaganza and Columbia Spring Jubilee. Taking home third was I’m The Alamo, with Lynn Hickok in the irons for Ridgemont Farms, Barbara Corbett and Lynn Hickok.
Class 78A brought Three-Year-Old Stallions to the ring. Answering the gate call, 11 entries vied for the blue. This class was a preliminary to the three-year-old world grand championship, and included Futurity-nominated three-year-old performance stallions. Judge Bonner called the good class. After fierce competition, Rival and Tim Smith were named the unanimous winners for owners Holland, Clark and Hale of Decatur and Arab, Alabama, and McMinnville, Tennessee. Rival is the three-year-old Futurity champion and is sired by Justified Honors out of Preakness Winner. This was Rival’s second world championship, with a two-year-old world championship and two-year-old futurity win in 2025. Rival is undefeated in 2026 with wins at the FAST Spring Showcase, Columbia Spring Jubilee and Money Tree Classic. Reserve in the good class were All Time Honor and Bill Callaway riding for Deb and Bob Adcock. Also reserve in the three-year-old Futurity, All Time Honor is sired by Honors out of An All American Girl. He won at the Spring Fun Show and the TWHYA Summer Splash this year. Finally, third on the cards was Benjamins SBS with RM Kellett in the irons for Carrie and Spencer Benedict.
Class 79 was the last class of Friday evening, Owner-Amateur Ladies Show Pleasure. Ten entries answered the gate call, and Judge Brooks called the gaits for the class. In the end, The Honor Code and Lisa Baum, the owner and rider of Shelbyville, took home the blue. Four-time World Champion and four-time World Grand Champion The Honor Code had wins this year at the Spring Extravaganza and the Spring Fun Show. Coming to a reserve finish was the team of three-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Broadway Honors and Meghan Hammond, in the irons for Shamrock Farms. Broadway Honors had wins this year at the FAST Spring Showcase, Columbia Spring Jubilee, WHTA Fireworks & Freedom and Woodbury Lions Club. Wearing the yellow streamer was Stoneybrook and Jacie Booth, riding for herself and Bradley Parker.
Class 78B brought more Three-Year-Old Stallions to the ring. Answering the gate call, 16 entries vied for the blue. This class was a preliminary to the three-year-old world grand championship, and included Futurity-nominated three-year-old performance stallions. Judge Williams called the class. After much heated competition, Sho-Time and Casey Wright were named the winners unanimously for owners Joe Barnes and Bob Kilgore of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Sho-Time is sired by Honors out of Prissy Ritz. Sho-Time was the Two-Year-Old World Champion and Two-Year-Old World Grand Champion in 2025. In 2026, Wright and Sho-Time have won at the Spring Fun Show and Red Carpet Show of the South. Reserve in the good class were Honor Him and Gary Edwards riding for Rhonda Major and Gloria Warr. Honor Him is sired by Honors and out of JFK’s Shady Deal-Marilyn. Finally, third on the cards was Dyno-Mighty with Sam Martin in the irons for Floyd and Caryl Sherman.
The festivities of Wild West Night, and the first Friday night of The Celebration, were concluded. The individuals with the best western costumes would be recognized on Saturday evening. Saturday morning promised to bring with it Youth Morning at The Celebration, where young riders would fill Cooper Steel Arena.