By Britney Brown
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - Spectators filed into Cooper Steel Arena for a Thursday morning full of competition at The Celebration. Brian Peery struck up the organ, and Travis Olinger announced the judges for the first of 14 classes on the program at precisely 9 o’clock.
Class 29 was Model Pleasure Stallions, with three entries. The stallions and their handlers made their way around the ring to park out on the north side as Chad Williams called the class. Three-time World Champion Back In The Saddle Again and Robert Nelms were called to wear the blue streamer and neck ribbon by unanimous choice. Back In The Saddle Again is owned by Lisa Teel and Lisa Washburn of Fayetteville and was a champion this year at the WHOA Spring Extravaganza, Columbia Spring Jubilee, TWHYA Summer Splash, the International Grand Championship and the Petersburg Colt Show. The reserve award went to Heart O’ Dixie Spring Showcase and Walking In The Smokies champion, Mr. LLC, with Laurie Toone handling for the Jacobs Family. Third in the class went to a classic horse, Caper’s Shakes & Shadows with owner Leighanne Tibbs at the lead.
The call for class 30 brought the Amateur Owned & Trained Country Pleasure contenders to the ring. Rollie Beard called the class of five entries. The dedicated duo of Nacho Business and owner, Maggie Moore of Christiana were selected to wear the blue. Nacho Business won at the PWHAT Fun Show, WHTA National Trainers’ Show, WHOA Spring Extravaganza and the International Grand Championship in 2026. This was his second world championship title having won last year with Karen McGee. Second in the class went to World Champion I’m Guns N Roses and Ashlyn Avent. This team had wins this year at the Southern Belle, FAST Spring Showcase, WHOA Spring Extravaganza, WHOA Show Series and the International Grand Championship. Finally, wearing the yellow streamer was two-time World Champion He Is Forrest Gump with owner Whitlei Burks riding.
Class 31, Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Trail Pleasure, had 10 horse-and-rider teams competing to be in the winner’s circle. Derek Bonner called the class as they made their way around the ring. In the end, the talented duo of Icy Ice Baby and Karen McGee were called out of the lineup, wearing the blue for Mike Fayne of Fayetteville. A 2026 Maiden finalist, Icy Ice Baby is sired by Jose’ Cold Chills and out of Jazz’s Code Red. Wearing the crimson streamer was the popular top five Maiden finalist, Dad Bod with owner Caroline Elliott in the irons. Third place went to Maiden winner, Cash Daddy and Debbie Simons riding the Wayne and Debbie Simons entry.
Next, Class 32 brought 13 competitors to the ring for Owner-Amateur Four & Five-Year-Old All Day Pleasure competition. Judge Scotty Brooks was the call judge as the class got underway. Out of the lineup, World Champion Villainous and owner Andy Stooksberry of Shelbyville were called to carry home the blue. This duo had wins in 2026 at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Reserve award in the good class was given to PWHAT Fun Show and FAST Spring Showcase winner, One Knight Rodeo with owner Maggie Moore in the irons. Walking to third-place honors was the team of Lady Whistledown and Thom Meek for Thom Meek and Chris Payne.
After this, Class 33, Lite Shod Five & Under, came into the ring. This class of seven horse-and-rider teams was called by Judge Sam Sorrell, and included Futurity nominated three-year-old mares, geldings and stallions. After exciting competition, two-time World Champion Up Up And Away and Macy Woody Norwood walked into the winner’s circle to wear the blue. Up Up And Away is the entry of Blake Drew and Chelsea Cook of Conway, South Carolina, and won at the West Virginia Summer Classic in 2026. Wearing the crimson streamer for Janson Patterson and Heritage Farms were World Champion Not Enough Proof and Ryan Gannon. Not Enough Proof was the highest placing Futurity nominee in the class and had wins this year at the TWHYA Summer Splash and Putnam County Fair. Third-place honors went to Ed and Jeff Laughlin for Susan Coleman and Rodney Dick.
Owner-Amateur Novice Country Pleasure horses were welcomed into the ring next for class 34. Williams called the class of 10 entries. Each of the entries hoped to receive their first world champion title. Riding to that honor and no longer a novice here at The Celebration was Martha Divine and Lore Patterson for the Patterson Family of Campbellsville, Kentucky. Martha Divine won in 2026 at the RHBAA Amateur Association Walking & Racking show. Reserve in the class went to WHOA Spring Extravaganza and Spring Fun Show winner, Paranoia, with Mariah Hubbard in the saddle. Taking home the yellow streamer was A Road Trip and Emily Wedington.
Class 35 was Owner-Amateur Four & Five-Year-Old Trail Pleasure. With Judge Beard calling the competitive class of six entries, competition got underway. First place in the good class was awarded to Money Tree Classic champion, two-time World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion Cha Cha Ching SF, with Jordan Howell in the irons for Janet Howell of Murfreesboro. Taking home reserve was On The Money DSG and owner Darren Gray. This team won in 2026 at the FAST Spring Showcase, WHTA Fireworks & Freedom and the Marshall County Horseman’s Association. In third on the cards was World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion He’z Sugar Daddy and owner Finley New.
Class 36, Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Trail Pleasure, was next on the program with eight entries. Judge Bonner called the class as these talented teams entered Cooper Steel Arena. Receiving a unanimous first place and their first world champion title in this competitive class was Ghost Pepper and Julie Pomicter, up for Julie Pomicter and Joe Lester of Shelbyville. Ghost Pepper won this year at the FAST Spring Showcase, Spring Fun Show, Germantown Charity Horse Show and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Reserve on the cards was International Grand Championship winner, He’s A Cobra and Dustin Smith riding for Joyce Hofstee, Dustin Smith and Katy Granus. Wearing the yellow streamer was the popular team of After Shock and Connie Everett for Cindy Long.
English Lite-Shod contenders came into the ring next for class 37. Judge Brooks called the gaits as four entries made their way around the ring. In the end, four-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Coachman and Amber Zahnd were called out of the lineup to wear the blue streamer and neck ribbon for owners Jackson Cammack and John Lawwell of Longview, Texas, and Lewisburg. Coachman won this year at the ETWHA Fun Show. Coming to a reserve finish in the good class was World Champion Red Rum SS and Patrick Thomas for Carolyn and Gary Pope. Red Rum SS won in 2026 at the FAST Spring Showcase, West Tennessee Strawberry Festival and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Third-place honors went to two-time World Champion Senorita Carmelita and Jimmy Baumgardner for Ms. Susan Wolfgang.
Class 38 brought Owner-Amateur Novice Park Pleasure horses up the chute and into the ring, with two entries answering the call. Judge Sorrell called the class. Riding forever out of their novice status and to a world champion finish was Spring Fun Show winner, Jose Chung and Kace Legg riding for Kace Legg and Joe and Ann Smith of Mt. Hope and Daniels, West Virginia. Taking home reserve was Eight Ball Ike with owner Beth Tucker riding. Eight Ball Ike won in 2026 at the NCWHA Ladies’ Auxiliary, Florence Charity, Low Country Classic, VWROHA Spring Spectacular and Waynesville Charity shows.
Next on the program was Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Country Pleasure, class 39, with 12 horse-and-rider teams in the good class. In the end, it was World Champion Red Clay Stray and Dr. Shana Hughes coming into the winner’s circle for owners Jason and Dr. Shana Hughes of Russell Springs, Kentucky. This duo won the Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Country Pleasure World Championship in 2025 and won in 2026 at the WHTA Fireworks & Freedom show. In reserve was the team of Fight Knight and Catherine Cornwell. Fight Knight had 2026 wins at the PWHAT Fun Show, Shelbyville Tennis Club and the International Grand Championship. Bringing home the yellow streamer was Oorah with owner Hunter Morgan riding.
Class 40 brought Two-Year-Old Park Pleasure to the ring, with Judge Beard calling the gaits in the class. With two entries, this division included Futurity nominated Two-Year-Old Park Pleasure Mares, Geldings Stallions. Wearing the blue streamer and neck ribbon out of the winner’s circle by unanimous choice was Ambushed With Color and Michael Johnson riding for Richard D. Atnip and Ryan Gannon of Smithville and McMinnville. Ambushed With Color is sired by Jose’s Ambush out of Secret Spirit’s Phantom and had wins this year on the NSSHA show circuit. In reserve was the highest placing Futurity entry in the class, To See Beautiful with Macy Woody Norwood.
The next to last class in the program, 41, saw eight entries for the Amateur Owned & Trained Trail Pleasure class. First place on the judges’ cards was three-time World Champion The Red Light District and Ashlyn Avent of Shelbyville. A classic horse, The Red Light District won in this division in 2023 and 2024, making this a repeat win for 2026, after wins this year at the WHOA Spring Extravaganza and the International Grand Championship. Reserve in the class went to World Champion and World Grand Champion She’s Venomous and Kelly Querrey. This team won in 2026 at the WHOA Spring Extravaganza and Germantown Charity Horse Show. Wearing the gold streamer was Miss Sarah Allen with owner Lexi Nelms in the irons.
Class 42 was the final class of Thursday morning, Trail Pleasure. The competition ramped up as Judge Brooks called the class of eight entries. Excitement filled the stands as the horses and trainers went to the lineup. By unanimous choice, 13-time World Champion and five-time World Grand Champion Blacklist and Carrie DeJarnette earned the blue streamer and neck ribbon. Blacklist won in 2026 at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, TWHYA Summer Splash, WHTA Fireworks & Freedom and the Marshall County Horseman’s Association. He is owned by Jane Pirolo of Franklin. Reserve honors went to four-time World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion Imagine Dragons, with Hannah Pulvers in the irons for owners Dr. Jana Anderson, Hannah Pulvers and Casey Callaway. Imagine Dragons won in 2026 at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, WHOA Spring Extravaganza and Shelbyville Tennis Club Show. Walking away with the third-place honors was Enticed and Joe Lester for Elaine Kapinos.
This concluded the Thursday morning session of The Celebration. The horses were rinsed off and taken back to their respective barns. Spectators and exhibitors alike would rest that afternoon, only to reconvene in the Celebration Arena at 7 p.m. for another exciting night in the Big Oval.