By Britney Brown

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – Wednesday night marked the first 2026 session in the legendary Big Oval. The Celebration arena has long been the epicenter of hopes and dreams for trainers, grooms and owners alike. The 88th National Celebration promises to be no different. As horse show organist, J French Brantley played “Grand Old Flag,” Mark Farrar announced the debut of Fruit Jar Alley and Ronnie Spears who carried the nation’s flag for the opening ceremonies. The invocation was said by Jeremy Smith of The Experience Community Church of Shelbyville, while Robin Hoss of Tullahoma sang the national anthem. Then, it was time for the evening’s 15 classes to get underway.

Class 15, Weanling Colts National Futurity (Foaled Spring 2026) was the first down the chute. Chad Williams called the class of 10 entries. They lined up head-to-tail on the west side as each handler expertly parked out the youngest horses at this Celebration. Taking home the blue and the National Futurity Championship for the George Wright Family of Mount Juliet was Chips N Salsa and Amanda Wright. Chips N Salsa was bred by Brian L. Wright and is by Jalapeño out of Miss Razzle N Dazzle. Reserve in the class was PG Thirteen and Robert Nelms for Janson Patterson and Heritage Farms. PG Thirteen was bred by Richard D. Atnip and is by Playing Gin out of Jose’s Bella Donna. Taking home third place in the class was Hip Hip Bravo with Beverly Lamp handling for Jack Heffington of Shelbyville. 

Second on the night’s program was Class 16, Owner-Amateur Mares & Geldings (Canter). Judge Beard called the class of five entries. After much stiff competition, six-time World Champion, Honor My Country and Stephanie White were called out of the lineup and into the winner’s circle by unanimous choice making this their fourth time winning this division. Honor My Country is owned by Toni White of Fernandina, Florida, and had wins this year at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Walking In The Smokies, TWHYA Summer Splash and Money Tree Classic. Coming out of the lineup to receive the reserve award was World Champion A Dixie General with owner Laura Mauney in the irons. Wearing the yellow streamer was America’s Grace, ridden by Amy Ann Hurst. 

The call came for Class 17, Yearling Fillies & Colts National Futurity (Foaled Fall 2024). Derek Bonner called the class of four entries. Taking home the blue unanimously for owners Lisa Teel and Lisa Washburn of Fayetteville was Bit Of Honey and Robert Nelms. Bred by Bruce Vaugh, Bit Of Honey is by Walk Time Charlie out of Gi Gi’s Ember, and has had wins this year at the Petersburg Colt Show. She also had two world championships as a weanling in 2025. Reserve in the class was All Jose RW and Marty Warren for Stephen B. Smith. All Jose RW is by Jose’ Jose’ out of Miracle’s Senorita, and was bred by Denise Smith. Taking home third place in the class was Kitty Kat RW with Laurie Toone handling for Stephen B. Smith. 

Owner-Amateur Five & Under Park Performance, Class 18, was next. Judge Brooks called the class as 14 horse-and-rider teams competed for world champion honors. Wearing the blue streamer and neck ribbon by unanimous choice was World Champion and World Grand Champion Limbaugh with owner Jannie Chapman of Red Banks, Mississippi, in the irons. This team had wins this year at the FAST Spring Showcase and Heart Of A Champion. Reserve in the good class was awarded to Chalie’s Perfect Peach and Kathy Baker. Taking home the third award was The Red Dragon with owner Anne Evans. 

Class 19, Weanling Fillies National Futurity (Foaled Spring 2026) entered the ring. Sam Sorrell called the class as seven filly-and-handler teams made their way around the ring. The group then parked out on the west rail as the judges made their way around each entry. Taking home the blue for owners Dr. Roger Richards and Bobby Jones of Bell Buckle and Manchester were Ella Langley and Chris Richards. Ella Langley was bred by her owners Dr. Roger Richards and Bobby Jones and is by Honors out of Hey Josephine. She won earlier this year at The Petersburg Colt Show. Reserve in the class was Sweet N Shady and Robert Nelms for Janson Patterson and Heritage Farms. Sweet N Shady was bred by Heritage Farms Inc. and is by Dark & Shady out of Sweet Country W. Taking home third place in the class was Caliente W with Amanda Wright handling for the George Wright Family. 

Next, Class 20A, Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares & Geldings, came down the hill with an impressive 21 entries. Chad Williams called the massive class as competition got underway. Everyone fought for a good spot on the rail. In the end, He’s The Big League Choo and Caryl Sherman made the blue-ribbon victory pass riding for Floyd and Caryl Sheman of Shelbyville. They walked their way to a world championship after wins this year at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show and the Woodbury Lions’ Club. He’s The Big League Choo was also a two-time world champion as a weanling. Second in the class was awarded to two-time world champion and world grand champion, Capri with owner Maria Bobo in the irons. The mare’s accolades this year include a win at the Money Tree Classic. Third on the cards was She’s Unlimited and Molly Walters. 

Class 21 brought Yearling Fillies National Futurity (Foaled Spring 2025) into the ring. Rollie Beard called the class of six entries. They lined up head-to-tail on the east side as the judges examined their conformation. Taking home the blue for owners Lisa Teel and Lisa Washburn of Fayetteville was Sofia and Robert Nelms. Sofia is by Jose’ Jose’ out of Maverick’s Living Doll and has had wins this year at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and the International Grand Championship. She was bred by Kevin and Kay Andrews. Reserve in the class was Just A Barbie Doll JR and Chris Richards for Bobby Joe Jones of Manchester. Just A Barbie Doll is by Justified Honors out of Maverick’s Barbie Line. She was bred by Charles and Kristi Sutherlin. Taking home third place in the class was Oh My Darling Clementine with Kelly Richards Ward handling for Bobby Joe Jones and Dr. Roger Richards. 

Next, the call came for Class 20B, Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares & Geldings. The second half of this split brought 17 entries. Derek Bonner called the good class as competition got underway and they each found a spot on the rail. There were many talented teams, but in the end, World Champion Charlie Sherman and Stephanie Martin made the blue-ribbon victory pass riding sweeping the division for Floyd and Caryl Sherman of Shelbyville. They walked their way to a world championship after winning this year at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and the Marshall County Horseman’s Association. Second in the class was awarded to Seger with Dalia Smith Harr in the irons for Shannon Harr. Seger’s accolades include a win in 2026 at the Cullman County Classic. Third on the cards was Saint Patrick and Jennifer Bingham for Kilburn, Cox and Bingham. 

Owner-Amateur Five & Under Show Pleasure Mares & Geldings was on the program for Class 22. Judge Brooks called another large class as 17 teams made their way into the ring. Out of the lineup, The Charleston Jazz and owner Jamie Gardner of Culleoka were awarded unanimous first-place honors. This is added to earlier season wins at the FAST Spring Showcase, the Spring Extravaganza and Columbia Spring Jubilee. Reserve awards were given to Charlie Woods with owner Robert Deutsch in the irons. Finally, the team of Blast Off and owner Mike Inman of Shelbyville wore the yellow ribbon. 

Class 23, Weanling Colts & Fillies National Futurity (Foaled Fall 2025) was the next to enter the ring. Sam Sorrell called the class of six entries. Taking home the blue for owners Perry and Kimberly Walden of Shelbyville was Jalapeños Diamond Braclet and Robert Nelms, by unanimous choice. Jalapeños Diamond Braclet was bred by Kimberly Walden and is sired by Jalapeño out of Diamond At The Ritz. She won this year at the WHOA Spring Extravaganza, Woodbury Lions Club and the International Grand Championship. Reserve in the class was She’s Choo’n Cash and Leighanne Tibbs for Shannon Strine. She’s Choo’n Cash was bred by Shannon Strine and is sired by Jimmy Choo out of Royal Line. Taking home third place in the class was I’m Johhny Storm with Stephanie Richardson handling for Joseph R. Leith. 

Class 24 saw 11 entries compete for the world champion title in the Elite Owner-Amateur Gentlemen on Mares & Geldings class, where Chad Williams called the class. Wearing the blue was the FAST Spring Showcase and Heart Of A Champion winners, Paranormal and owner Ty Irby of Shelbyville. Wearing the red streamer was four-time World Champion She’s Salsarita and Barron Witherspoon. Taking home the third award for Dr. Barbara Moersch was She’s Lady May and Frank Mosley 

Class 25 brought Yearling Colts National Futurity (Foaled Spring 2025) down the hill, where seven entries competed for the world championship title. Rollie Beard called the class as they made their way around the ring. Taking home the blue for owner Beth Beasley of Athens, Alabama, was The Baum Diggity and Robert Nelms. This marked the fourth walk down victory lane for Nelms this evening! The Baum Diggity was bred by Beth Beasley and is sired by Justified Honors out of I Am Lady May. Reserve in the class was The Heir Apparent and Chris Richards for the Jones and Richards partnership. The Heir Apparent was bred by Jones and Richards, and is sired by Justified Honors out of I Am Princess Margaret. Taking home third place in the class was Head Em’ Up And Move Em’ Out with Andrea Nelson at the head for Jones, Richards, Lassiter and Nelson. 

Four-Year-Old Mares & Geldings (Canter), class 26, competed next on this warm Wednesday night. Eight entries entered the ring as Derek Bonner called the class. The class was full of talented horses, but in the end, it was the team of Paraiso THF with Casey Wright riding for Rick Ferguson of Randolph, Mississippi. Paraiso THF had wins this year at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show and the Spring Fun Show. Taking home reserve for Floyd and Caryl Sherman were two-time World Champion, Commanding The Legacy and Sam Martin. They had wins this year at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Finally, wearing the yellow streamer was two-time World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion Far Above Rubies and Thomas Derickson for David and Theresa Williams.

Class 27 brought Owner-Amateur Stallions (Canter) down the hill, as Scotty Brooks called the class. The five entries competed fiercely, but it was I’m Jordan and with owner Kenny Compton of Tazewell, Virginia, who walked out of the lineup to wear the blue. I’m Jordan is a four-time world champion and three-time world grand champion, and this was his fourth world championship in this division. World Champion Twisted With Honors and Dr. Jewel Abee wore the crimson streamer after wins this year at Walking In The Smokies and the Marshall County Horseman’s Association. Coming to a third-place finish in the good class was A Big Honor and Dr. David Bullock. 

The final class of the night, 28, was Owner-Amateur Four-Year-Old Stallions. The excitement ramped up in the arena as Sam Sorrell called the class of 12 talented entries. J. Brantley concluded the night on the organ with “The Tennessee Waltz.” Out of the lineup, and into the winner’s circle rode two-time World Champion and World Grand Champion Tide Pride and Nathan Clark for the partnership of Holland and Clark of Decatur and Arab, Alabama. Even though tonight was his first time showing this year, Tide Pride added another world championship to his titles. Taking home reserve in the good class was two-time World Champion Hell Or High Water with Caryl Sherman in the irons for Floyd and Caryl Sherman. They had wins in 2026 at the Spring Fun Show and Marshall County Horseman’s Association. Coming in third was Look At Choo with Meghan Hammond riding for Shamrock Farms.

With that, the first day and night of Celebration competition was concluded and everyone headed home. The Optimist Club Donut Booth would open promptly at 6 a.m. the next morning to the delight of many eager spectators. The new day would also usher in more competition to crown more champions for the 88th National Celebration.