By Mark McGee 

SHELBYVILLE, TENN. – If anyone was wondering about the versatility of the Tennessee Walking Horse they needed to look no further than the 11 classes in Monday morning session at the 82nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse  National Celebration.

The final morning session in Calsonic Arena began with 11 entries in the  Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 12-17 Years on Show Pleasure Walking Mares or Geldings class. Back in winning fashion was the well-known team of Godfather By Ultra Copy, a “Classic” horse, and Alex Luttrell of Alvaton, Kentucky, Together they won the world championship unanimously in their debut ride together this season. Masq Of Jazz was reserve with Cohen Abernathy in the stirrups for owners Joy Lester and Lauren Landers. Dangerous Title and Addie Harris picked up the third place ribbon.

Nine entries answered the gate call from announcer Dallas Eubanks with eight remaining for final judging in the Amateur Owned & Trained English Trail Pleasure Walking Horses, No Professional Training Within 90 Days class. Suiza and Allison Thorson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee captured world cChampionship honors for the third year In a row. It was the second blue for Suiza, a “Classic” horse,  and Thorson in this year’s Celebration. Martinis At Seven and Maggie Moore earned second for co-owner Jenny Earhart. She’s Jazz Station 109 was the third tie with Chelsey Harvey riding for owner Franklin Harvey.

Allison Thorson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee earned her second world championship of the morning as the only entry in the Equitation, Riders 18 Years and Over, Canter class. 

She’s Charlies’ Girl and Nancy Evans won their first ever Celebration world championship besting six other entries in the Owner-Amateur Novice Riders on Novice Lite-Shod Walking Horses class for owner Anne Evans of Johnson City, Tennessee. It was the second blue of the season for the pair. All About That Bass played the right notes to earn a red streamer for Ronnie Rushing and Rushing Creek Walkers. A Coachman and Michael Chandler rolled to third.

The Three-Year-Old Trail Pleasure Walking Horses class attracted six entries. Daddy’s Home DH won the world championship with Jessica Hlebak on board for The Simons Family of Shelbyville, Tennessee. It was their fourth straight blue of 2020. Lady James was second with Carrie Martin riding for Darren Gray. Scandalous KK earned the third tie with Bailey Momb in the saddle for Lindy Holt and Kyle Bush.

Sideways, sired by Master Of Jazz, was guided to the world championship in the six-entry Weanling Colts class by Amanda Wright. The pair made their victory walk to the strains of Pretty Baby played by organist J. Brantley. It was the fourth blue of the year for the pair, who earlier won a first in the TWHBEA National Futurity for The George Wright Family of Mount Juliet, Tennessee. Saint Laurent and handler Robert Nelms were second for owner Jack Heffington. He’s Bruno Mars was exhibited to a yellow ribbon by Claire Hankins for Davany Bullock.

Retribution and rider Garold Ross won their first ever Celebration world championship defeating 10 other entries in the Owner-Amateur Novice Riders on Novice English Trail Pleasure Walking Horses class for co-owner Julie Ross of Ruffin, North Carolina. Duke Energy and Linda Sisk were electric in second for co-owner Darrin Sisk. Magellan set sail to third for Alex Johnson for co-owner Anne Evans.

Lined Up At The Ritz won the world championship for the second year in a row in the Western Park Pleasure Walking Horses. Patrick Thomas was in the saddle for owner Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tennessee. It was their first show of the season. A Titleist Masterpiece took the red streamer home with Howard Hamilton riding for Champion Stables. Caper’s Shakes And Shadows, a “Classic” horse was awarded third with Ryan Gannon aboard for Pam and Jeff Nashton.

Josey And The Pussycats were a hit for the world championship in the Weanling Fillies class with handler Lynn Womack directing for the partners Jones and Richards from Manchester, Tennessee and Bell Buckle, Tennessee, respectively. It is the second blue of the Celebration for Josie And The Pussycats, sired by Honors, and the eighth blue ribbon of 2020. Mercy Mercy Me and Jackson Latham were second for Lisa Teel. Country Roads and handler Amanda Wright brought home a third place title for The George Wright Family. There were seven entries in the class.

In the nine-entry Owner-Amateur Riders on Western Trail Pleasure Walking Horses Susan Coleman of Unionville, Tennessee and Machete made the world championship ride. It was the second blue of the Celebration for Coleman, having won with Roscoe Jenkins Thursday morning. She and Machete have two first places this season. Honey Badger and LaMar DePoyster claimed second for co-owner Gordon DePoyster. Side Lined earned a third place for Kyndra Myers.

The Auxiliary Equitation, Youth Medal Championship (Canter), the last morning class of the show, drew nine entries. Jayden Jackson from Wartrace, Tennessee rode out of the ring wearing the floral horseshoe and gold medal as the unanimous choice of the judges. It was second year in a row for Jackson to be victorious in the class. Kate Cowan placed second. Jacie Booth finished third.

With winning the Youth Equitation World Grand Champion, Jayden Jackson also earned the $1,000 scholarship presented by Tenda to be used for her post high school education. This year, Tenda partnered up with the Celebration to bring more attention to the equitation classes. Each participant was given a bottle of Tenda Sheen, with each class winner also getting a product package including more great products.