By Mark McGee
The temperature hovered around 100 degrees for much of the day, but a good crowd and 13 classes of horses didn’t let the heat bother them Wednesday night in “The Big Oval” at the 86th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. It was the final night of preliminary classes before the World Grand Championship classes begin Thursday night.
Bobby McGee of Grace Baptist Church gave the devotion. It was kept all in the family as his sons Jason and Jeffrey McGee presented a duet version of “The Star Spangled Banner”, while Ronnie Spears and White Diamond Dollar presented the Stars and Stripes.
The 13-class schedule opened with announcer Mark Farrar calling four of nine programmed entries into the ring for the Fine Harness class. American Titliest and driver Nathan Rymer drove to first for Marla and Rick Lovett from Mobile, Alabama. In Ted’s Image, a “Classic” horse, was reserve with Bill Callaway driving for Ron Lawrence. Call My Lawyer and Mickey McCormick drove out with a yellow ribbon for Jack Davis.
The next class saw Me And Pocahontas and Tyler Baucom recapturing their Five & Over Mares & Geldings (Canter) title for Allyson Armstrong from Hickory, North Carolina. They were the unanimous selection of the five-judge panel. With these wins, as well as their win in 2021, they retired the H.H. “Preach” Fleming Memorial Challenge Trophy. Me And Pocahontas has won four blues in five classes in 2024. She’s Salsarita and Scott Beaty rode to second for Barron Witherspoon. I’m Charlie Daniels and Edgar Abernathy were third for Linda Stewart. Eight of 13 expected entries participated.
Big Blue Nation, a “Classic” horse, was ridden to a blue ribbon by owner-rider Newton Parks from Murfreesboro in Section A of the Amateur Owned & Trained class. They were the unanimous choice of the judges, and are two-for-two in blues this year. I’m A Pistol Annie earned the second place tie with owner-rider Blake Cammack up. Another “Classic” horse, He’s Guns-N-Roses walked out with a yellow streamer for owner-rider Wayne Conley. Ten of 14 anticipated entries were in the ring.
Up next, 15 of the 25 scheduled entries answered the gate call in the Three-Year-Old Geldings class. He’s Walking In Dixie walked to the winner’s circle with Chad Thompson in the saddle for Donna and Red Etheredge from Jacksonville, Alabama. Hot Streak and Sam Martin placed second in the class, but won the National Futurity Championship with the highest finish of a nominated entry. Third went to Yellow Ledbetter with Derek Monahan in the irons for Renee and Dean Rouse.
The Paddock Master and co-owner-rider Kenny Smith from Manchester, Kentucky, rode to top honors in Section B of the Amateur Owned & Trained class for Smith and Harr. The Paddock Master is a perfect five-for-five in victory rides in 2024. Ready To Play and owner-rider Dr. David Bullock took home a red streamer. They were the class winner in 2023 and 2022. It’s Sirius placed third for Kenny Compton riding for Rick Compton. Ten of 13 programmed entries rode in the class.
Bravo! gave rider Jayden Jackson and owner Jack Heffington of Shelbyville a reason to cheer as they were called out as the blue ribbon winners in the Walking Horse Trainers’ Auxiliary class. They have two blues in two classes this show season. Samsung, a “Classic” horse, was reserve with Karen Callaway aboard for owner Allan Callaway. They were also second in the class last year. My Brother In Arms was the third tie for owner-rider Maria Bobo.
Next to the ring to ride for top honors were eight of 10 entered Two-Year-Old Geldings. Commanding The Legacy was the unanimous pick of the judges with Sam Martin in the irons for Caryl and Floyd Sherman from Shelbyville. Commanding The Legacy has four blues in five classes in 2024. Caryl rode to a reserve finish Sunday night at in Section A of the Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares & Geldings class. Geo and Thomas Derickson took home a red streamer for Star Catcher Farm – Missy and Tim Johnson and Olivia and Buie Williams. Slim Power was third with Jeff Laughlin in the stirrups for Chuck Ramsey.
The mamas and their babies were next down the chute for the Mares & Foals gate call that hosted seven entries. Flirtin’ To Win repeated her 2023 performance as the winner, but this year is was Cold Justice LL by her side. Handlers were Lisa Teel and Beverly Carter for Teel, Washburn and Noe from Fayetteville and College Grove. Hey Josephine and her foal Ah Ah Ah Choo were guided to reserve by Lynn Womack and Emery Sims for Dr. Roger Richards and Bobby Jones. The yellow ribbon went to La Patrona and La Mayahuel with Karen McGee Harden and Shelby Sims Portman as handlers for Shannon Sims and Dale Steinmetz.
Nine Five & Under Park Performance teams made their way to the ring next. I Am Somethin’ and R.M Kellett caught the attention of the judges and the blue ribbon for Mr. and Mrs. Howard Eastridge of Columbia, Kentucky. Howard was reserve with I Am Somethin’ the first Wednesday night in the Owner-Amateur Five & Under Park Performance class. Never Forget walked out with a red streamer with Drew Graves aboard for Judy Case. The Charleston Jazz danced to third with Patrick Thomas riding for Jamie Gardner.
Cheatin’ On Charlie and Tim Smith rode to top honors in the Mares & Geldings class for Andy Rippy from Gallatin and Abi Smith from Shelbyville. Cheatin’ On Charlie has six blues in eight classes this year. Lethal Ambition was the second place tie. Ryan Blackburn was in the saddle for Salt Lick Farm and Elese Lewis. Sadie Hawkins LCG won a yellow ribbon with Drew Graves riding for Dr. Linda Garrard. Ten entries answered the gate call.
Next was the Five & Under Show Pleasure competition that hosted an amazing 22 entries. I Am The Lady rode to first with Drew Graves riding for Janson Patterson of Meridianville, Alabama, in the highly competitive class. They have six blues in eight classes this year. YS American Dream and Lake Weaver walked out with a red streamer for Yellowstone Farms. Third went to They Call Me Carlos with Hayden Burks in the saddle for Mary Ann and Herschel Blessing.
A total of 76 “horses were entered in the Owner-Amateur Classic Horses 15 & Over class this year, with 12 making their way into the ring. What an impressive number! Standing above them all was Mr. Heisman with co-owner Bruce MacDonald aboard for co-owner Robin MacDonald of Shelbyville. Mr. Heisman is 18 and Mark Farrar informed the crowd that this was the last show for Mr. Heisman. What a way to close our your impressive career! Versace’s Dollar, winner of the class the previous three years, claimed second with Kenny Compton in the saddle for Rick Compton. The Lonestar Legend and owner-rider Sister Milligan took home a yellow streamer.
The average age of the horses in the class was 17. The oldest was Lane View’s Master at 21, ridden to seventh by Patti Reynolds for Kali and Greg Lovett.
Ten entries were in the ring to close out the night in the Walking (Canter) class. Twenty-four were listed in the program, but many were multiple entries in other classes. Mr. True Blue lived up to his name with a victorious ride with R.M. Kellett riding for The Jacobs Family of Murfreesboro. They have won four blues in four classes this show season. Twisted With Honors and Tyler Baucom were reserve for Allyson Armstrong. He’s Whiskey Cavalier and John Allan Callaway rode to third for Kim and Bruce Butler.