With a record number in the actual attendance of 11,311, Sunday evening at the Celebration was off to a great start. The new flag horse, Counterfeit Dollar, and Bud Seaton kicked off the show with the red, white, and blue waving in the wind.
A large class of thirty-one entries participated in the opening class of the Sunday evening performance. Judge Milligan called the exciting class of Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Mares or Geldings. The large number of entries prompted the judges to call for a workout. Five entries were immediately parked in with twelve more joining them. After the seventeen participants finished the final running walk and headed to the lineup, the final decision was made.
Extra Ebony and Aaron Bertrand would receive the first place tie in the class. The Bob Parks family of Murfreesboro own the talented black horse. The reserve award in the class went to Pride’s Sharp Dressed Man and Gavin Kasser for Carol Gavin. Third was presented to A Secret Agent and Celie Gandy.
The second class of the evening was called in next. The Plantation Pleasure Three-Year-Old Lite Shod Walking Horses were called by judge Paul Whitehead. Following a perfect performance the team of Doug Barnes and Jose Quervo Gold were called to take the blue. The partnership of Bob Lawrence and Carol Hutto Troy, Alabama own the entry. Gen’s Legend In Black and John Feltner Jr. were second for Steve and Trish Raley. Manuel Rodriquez rode Double Java to the third award.
The always competitive Walking Ponies Riders 15-17 class filled the Celebration oval with twenty-one entries. The call judge duties in the class went to judge Rollie Beard. Making their final appearance in the Pony division, Justin Harney and Royal’s Dark Bum went out in blue ribbon style as they claimed the first place award in the class. The John Harney family of Murfreesboro are the owners. The red ribbon was then presented to Silver Design and Thad Way for the J and R Partnership. Skywalk and Seth Stanfill finished out the top three with third for Billy Stanfill.
The Park Pleasure Walking Mares or Geldings with Riders 12-17 class boasted sixteen entries. The honorable Ray Gilmer called the class. After each entry made a good show the lineup was called. The decision of the judges was the read and the top honors were awarded to Jenna Hamilton and Royal’s China Doll. This talented team has already scored six wins during the 2002 show season at shows like the Gulf Coast Charity, Cotton Classic, and Germantown. Debbie and Jim Nichols are the owners from New Market. Reserve was awarded to Centennial Suprise and Jenny Earhart for Joe Guido. Third place was won by Generator’s Miss Trixie and Amanda Dye.
Division A of the Show Pleasure Walking Horses had twenty entries respond to the gate call. Judge Irby was the officiating judge in the class. A unanimous first place tie was awarded to none other than Coin Maker and Knox Blackburn. This is the second blue so far for Coin Maker at the 2002 Celebration. The first came when Susanne Littell directed the talented stallion to the first win in the Amateur Lady Riders on Show Pleasure Walking Horses. Littell owns the entry along with Bud Moore. Reserve honors were received by Storm Threat Too and legendary horseman Ronal Young. Dr. Rafael and Pat Rigual are the owners. Third went to Slippen Around And Scored and Don Crum for Jim and Sharon Richmond.
The second division of the Show PLeasure Walking Horses entered the ring promptly with eighteen entries. The honorable judge Don Milligan called the class. Andrew Johnson and John Allan Callaway gave a presidential performance to win the division. This win follows wins at World Cup, Lawrenceburg, and McMinnville. Owners of the fine property are Terry and Pedigo of Morristown and Murfreesboro. The judges’ pick for reserve was the team of Primed Time and Joe Cotten for Laura Brandon. Third was received by Major Player and Jeff Givens for the Denny Hastings family.
The next class on Sunday night’s schedule was the Park Pleasure Walking Horses with Riders 50 & Over. Calling the class was the honorable Whitey Whitehead. Two entries were excused in the class but there was still lots of talent left in there. Bob Lawrence was all smiles as the announcer called out his back number. Lawrence guided She’s Breathtaking to the victory in the class. This is the second blue ribbon winner of the night that belongs to the partnership of Lawrence and Hutto of Troy, Alabama. Judge’s Red Alert took reserve with Sue Maze. Skyline and Carrie Williams placed third in the fine class.
An exciting group of 15.2 and Under Mares took the ring next. This class is required to canter and Judge Beard had the responsibility of call judge. Lady’s Ebony Ace and Jimmy McConnell were the pick for first in the class. Lady’s Ebony Ace is owned by Donna Beltz of Energy, Florida. Reserve was presented to Cash’s Luck Be A Lady and Allan Callaway for C & E Farms of Elberton, Georgia. Third award was given to Immortal Generator and Joe Cotten for Keith and Sandy Baker.
One of the new classes added to the Celebration lineup was the Elite Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Mares and Geldings. The talented ladies put on a good show for the crowd as judge Gilmer called the class. Despite how great the class was only one entry could receive first and that was Mozambique and Jeanine Gullett. Gullet is the owner and comes to the Celebration all the way from Duluth, Georgia. Reserve honors were then presented to Silverado Spirit and Beverly Sherman. Rounding out the top three with third was the team of Pusher’s Clementine and Debbie Flack.