By Sadie Fowler
Celebration-goers wondered all morning Wednesday about whether or not classes would be moved inside the Calsonic Arena due to weather. Turns out, it held out — weather — for a quiet night of competition in normal fashion, proving leaders of the decision on whether to move classes or not were on point with their call to keep them outside.
Thirteen classes of entries presented their best suits regardless of the. Lined Royal Cash won the first class of the night, the fine harness for the amateur gentlemen, with Lined Royal Cash holding the winning ticket for the third time this Celebration with Mike Overcast on the lines for his first-time win here.
Next up was one of the larger classes of the evening, with no strangers in either splits of the group in the A and B division of the amateur three-year-old mares and geldings class. Lisa Baum directed Hey Good Looking to victory in the first section with Walkin’ Miss Charlie turning heads in the B section with Jennifer Lee riding.
The experienced riders had their moment in the riders 36 and over class and John Allan Callaway held his own, showcasing style and horsemanship aboard Nino’s Category Five for Dr. Barbara Moersch.
In another highlight of the evening, the babies of the industry captured the hearts of all in attendance Wednesday night with Exeter at the guiding hand of expert handler Robert Nelms for the spotlight for owner Jack Heffington.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, the auxiliary riders shined in their class with the mares. Competition prevailed with all experienced riders giving it their all, but Taylor Walters was the rider smiling down victory lane for the win shot aboard Miss Dixie Carter.
It doesn’t always take a professional to equate to a talented entry, such is the case with I’m Gus McRae, the confident entry who strutted his stuff with Cindy Bryant performing her part equally as well in the amateur owner and trained class.
Fifteen entries gathered for another highlight of the evening with a big splash making waves when José Centerfold, with Michael Wright in the driver’s seat for his first time, was the winning entry for owner Bill Williams. Tyler Baucom and Conga Line earning cheers from their fan base for the reserve finish.
It was Bravo! for the closing class of a good Wednesday night in the stallions class with Chad Way on board for Diana Cruse, continuing her great Celebration. Border Run and John Allan Callaway rightfully walked away with a well-deserved reserve.