Novices and young pleasure horses take the stage
By Britney Brown

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The Celebration is officially underway! Everyone piled into Cooper Steel Arena on Thursday morning, combatting the overcast skies with bright attitudes and shining showmanship. Thursday morning’s schedule was dominated by novice classes, AOT classes, two-year-old classes and three-year-old classes. 

Class 30, Model Pleasure Stallions, entered the ring. Lining up head-to-tail on the North side, these three entries vied for the coveted first place honors. It was 2023 and 2024 world champion, Back In The Saddle Again walking to the blue streamer and neck ribbon unanimously with Robert Nelms at the lead for Teel, Washburn & Noe. Sired by I’m Copperfield, Back In The Saddle Again has earlier wins this year at the Columbia Spring Jubilee, TWHYA Summer Splash, Walking For The Angels and The International. Second in the class went to Mr. LLC and Laurie Toone for Ally Jo Jacobs. This stallion is sired by Jose’ Jose’ and took reserve in this division in 2024 as well. Ed’s Sweet Tea, with Ronald Morton at the head for Ed Lukacevic, was presented with the third-place award.
Class 31 was Owner-Amateur Four & Five-Year-Old All-Day Pleasure. Sixteen entries were on the program for the good class, and 13 made the gate call. Judge Grider called the gaits in the good class. Many of these talented horses boasted extensive show records. In the end, however, it was The Queen Supreme and Dr. Brittany Baum of Shelbyville who were tied first. This was The Queen Supreme’s first blue ribbon, and it was worn proudly here at The Celebration. Wearing the crimson streamer out was the team of Cali Caliente and Andy Stooksberry of Shelbyville. Their accolades include six blues this season at The FAST Spring Showcase, Walking In The Smokies and Christmas In July. The third-place honor in the big class was given to Cowboy Copper and Maggie Moore. 

Class 32 brought the competitive Five & Under Lite-Shod division into the ring. The class included Futurity Nominated Three-Year-Old Lite-Shod Mares, Geldings and Stallions. Four of eight entries answered the gate call and started making their way around as David Sisk called the class. Tied for first was ETWHA Fun Show winner, Backwoods Southern Lawyer with Leighanne Tibbs for Savannah Upchurch of Monticello, Kentucky. Coming in reserve was the 2023 and 2024 world champion in this division, Up Up And Away and Patrick Thomas for Lisa Baum of Shelbyville. The third-place tie was Hawk’s Smooth Sky and Michael Johnson for Michael Chandler.
A big class of Owner-Amateur Novice Country Pleasure contenders came next. Class 33 was filled with horses who had many ribbons, but never a Celebration blue. Judge Bobo called the class of 13 who expertly walked and shook their way through the gaits. Once they were in the lineup, Nacho Business and rider Karen McGee, for the partnership of Karen McGee and Phyllis Langley, were called to make the unanimous blue-ribbon ride. Nacho Business has won this year at The FAST Spring Showcase, Walking In The Smokies, Spring Extravaganza, Spring Fun Show and Christmas In July, remaining undefeated this season. Reserve in the class went to the successful pair of Martha Divine with Lore Patterson for Josh and Lore Patteson of Campbellsville, Kentucky. Wearing the yellow streamer out of the lineup was Vox and Anne Frank.

Class 34 ushered in Four & Five-Year-Old Trail Pleasure teams. The professionals took the reins in this class, riding these experienced horses around the ring as Ross Campbell called the gaits. Eleven horses entered the class and vied for a spot on the rail. The competition was hot, as these teams had been competing against each other all year. Called from the line up for the second year in a row was Sweet Walking Matilda, ridden by Laurie Toone for Ally Jo Jacobs of Murfreesboro. Four-time world champion and two-time world grand champion Sweet Walking Matilda had previous wins this year at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Walking In The Smokies and Let Freedom Ring. FAST Spring Showcase winner, Cat Dragon and Hannah Pulvers came in reserve for Jana Anderson and Melanie Barnett-Fisher. Dead Beat Daddy and Krysta Allen were awarded third for Dennis and Susan Hills. 

Class 35 was the first of two AOT classes on the program, Amateur Owner & Trained All-Day Pleasure. Riders showed the dedication and work they’d put into their horses as they strode around the ring. Out of an impressive total of 19 entries, 11 answered the gate call as Robert Cortner determined the gaits in the class. She’s Never Been Kissed and Kimberly Walden were awarded the first-place honors for herself and Alayna Arnold. Sired by Generator’s Gold Edition, She’s Never Been Kissed has taken home the world championship in this division for three years in a row now and is a world grand champion and four-time world champion. A year of wins at the Marshall County Lions Club Charity, The Southern Belle and Putnam County Fair culminated in this Celebration win. Taking home reserve was 2024 Novice Country Pleasure World Champion, A Knightime Menace, with Maggie Moore for Maggie Moore and Jim Leek of Christiana. This follows awards at The Phoenix, The Southern Belle, WHOA Show Series, PWHAT Fun Show (April), WHOA Spring Extravaganza, Germantown Charity, PWHAT Fun Show (June), Shelbyville Tennis Club, TWHBEA World Versatility Championship and The International. In the third-place seat were World Champion Lujoso and Amanda Manis. 

Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Trail Pleasure, Class 36, was next on the morning agenda. Six entries stepped around the ring, each of them having been in the winner’s circle in their careers. The blue ribbon tie went to Talkin’ Tennessee and Sherri Pollack for S&P LLC of Saratoga, California. The popular pair wore the blue streamer and neck ribbon for the victory pass with a smile. This was preceded by two world championship wins in 2024 for Talkin’ Tennessee. Earlier season wins have occurred at The FAST Spring Showcase, Spring Fun Show, Shelbyville Tennis Club and Christmas In July shows. Second in the good class was awarded to Hit List and Dr. Shana Hughes for Bruce and Lee Sinden, Dr. Shana Hughes and Dr. Blake Everett. They won this season at the Low Country Classic and Christmas In July shows. He’z Sugar Daddy and Finley New walked out with the third-place honors.

The gate call came next for class 37, Owner-Amateur Novice Park Pleasure. Together, five horse and rider teams took to the rail to see who would get their first Celebration blue. Judge Sisk was the call judge for this exciting class. As they stood in the lineup, unsure what to expect, it was Dean’s List and Dexter Roberts of Hillsboro who were called for a first-place tie and their first victory pass here at The Celebration. Dean’s List won at Upper Cumberland and the Marshall County Horseman’s Association shows earlier this year. Reserve in the class were Mr. Patron and Becca Tate for Janson Patterson and Heritage Farms of Meridianville, Alabama. Walking to third place out of the lineup was As If with Brent Arrington in the irons.

Class 38, Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Country Pleasure, came up the chute next as the morning classes continued. Eight of nine entries answered the gate call with Chris Bobo as the call judge. Striding around the ring, each team was consistent and strong on the rail. However, B. Purdy and Patti Pollack for Silver Spur Legacy LLC of Saratoga, California, dominated the class and were called out of the lineup to wear the blue unanimously. After winning the 2024 Maiden, B. Purdy has gone on to have an incredible show ring career, thus far. B. Purdy and Pollack are undefeated this year as a team, with wins at The FAST Spring Showcase, Spring Extravaganza, WHOA Spring Extravaganza, Spring Fun Show, Christmas In July and The International. Reserve in the good class went to Microshock and Vicki Moore of New Castle, Virginia. They have been winners in 2025 at the WHOA Spring Extravaganza, Spring Fun Show and The International. The successful pair of Vox and Anne Frank of Christiana walked out wearing the yellow streamer. 

Class 39, Two-Year-Old Park Pleasure, continued the heated competition next. This class included Futurity Nominated Two-Year-Old Park Pleasure Mares, Geldings and Stallions. Judge Campbell called the gaits for the class as the two entries competed for the title of world champion. It was the unanimous choice of Custom Ordered, with Jonathan Baskin aboard for Janson Patterson and Heritage Farms of Meridianville, Alabama, who was announced as the champion. This was the first time in the show ring for this impressive horse. Riding to a second-place finish was Jose’ Chung and Michael Johnson, also owned by Janson Patterson and Heritage Farms. 

Class 40, the second-to-last class of the morning, showcased Amateur Owned & Trained Trail Pleasure horses. Eight of nine entries answered the gate call, while Judge Cortner called the gaits in the class. Competition revved as they started underway at the flat walk. These owners showcased the bonds they have forged with their AOT horses as they made their way to the lineup. Once the judges’ cards were tallied, the team of three-time World Champion My Black Cadillac and Connie Everett of Murfreesboro made the good ride around Cooper Steel Arena. They have 10 blues this year with wins at The Phoenix, The Southern Belle, WHOA Spring Extravaganza, TWHYA Summer Splash and The International. Second in the class went to classic horse, three-time World Champion The Red Light District and Ashlyn Avent of Shelbyville. This follows a season of wins at the WHOA Spring Extravaganza and The International. Walking out with third were the team of The Hillbilly Hippie and WhitLei Burks for Burks and Anderson. 

The last class of Thursday morning was class 41, Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Country Pleasure. Of the 13 horses entered, 11 made the gate call. While Judge Grider called the class, the teams started at the flat walk making their way down the rail. Coming in with a fantastic first place finish was Red Clay Stray and Dr. Shana Hughes for Jason and Dr. Shana Hughes of Russell Springs, Kentucky. This was only his second time in the show ring, the first being when he won the Two-Year-Old Country Pleasure title at the Christmas In July show. Second tie in the class was presented to the dynamic duo of Pepper Shaker and Tina Singleton for Dr. Ann Johnson of College Grove. This was only the second time Pepper Shaker has been in the show ring, his first time being when he received 10th place in the 2025 Maiden. Taking home third place and the yellow ribbon were El Guapo and Kaycie Bowen for Harvey and Bowen. 

With Thursday morning’s session concluded, everyone dissipated to prepare for the second night of showing in the Big Oval. Fueled by the promise of donuts and other sweet and savory Celebration food, spectators, trainers, grooms and owners ready for another late night of exciting performances. Thirteen classes are on the program for the evening, including the Two-Year-Old Mares split, which always draws a lot of fanfare.