By Britney Brown
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – Monday and Tuesday night have long been Fan Appreciation Dollar Night at The Celebration, where general admission tickets and select concessions are only a dollar. This Monday night before Labor day marked the halfway point of Celebration festivities, but it would only get better from here. Mark Farrar announced the return of Fruit Jar Alley and Ronnie Spears bearing the flag. Andy Keffer of Shelbyville First Church of the Nazarene gave the invocation, while Kelly Querrey of Wartrace sang the national anthem. Then the 13 classes on the evening’s program got promptly underway.
Class 130, Owner-Amateur Gentleman Fine Harness was first down the hill as the night began. The five entries worked their way around the rail under the direction of call Judge Bonner. They lined up head-to-tail on the west side. After the cards were in, 11-time World Champion and five-time World Grand Champion In Ted’s Image, with owner Ron Lawrence of Lenior City driving were chosen to wear the blue streamer and neck ribbon. In Ted’s Image had wins in 2026 at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, the Spring Fun Show and Red Carpet Show of the South. Reserve in the class was awarded to World Champion Outlier with Dave Coffey at the whip for Barbara Civils. Taking home third was the team of Belmont Park and Dr. David Bullock.
Owner-Amateur Mares & Geldings, Riders 70 & Older, class 131, was next on the program. This class, called by Judge Brooks, brought 12 entries to the ring. In the end, two-time World Champion Miss Annie Rose, with Danny Hicks, the owner and up of Candor, North Carolina, walked out of the lineup to receive the first-place award by the unanimous selection of the judging panel. Miss Annie Rose had 2026 victories at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Columbia Spring Jubilee and the Red Carpet Show of the South. Reserve in the class was In His Honor with owner Terry Lowman riding. Finally, taking home the yellow streamer was Polly Gray with owner Dr. Lynda Brogdon in the irons.
Class 132, Owner-Amateur Ponies Mares & Geldings, turned out to be an equally large class with 12 entries fighting for a spot on the rail under the direction of Judge Sorrell. Riding out of the lineup to receive the world championship honors unanimously was two-time World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion I’m Charlie Black CFF and Dalia Smith-Harr riding for Kenny Smith of Manchester, Kentucky. They won this year at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Red Carpet Show of the South. They have been victorious in this division three years in a row now, and since 2024, I’m Charlie Black CFF has been undefeated. Taking home the crimson streamer for Bruce and Kim Butler was six-time World Champion Pappy Van Winkle, with Kim riding. Third place was He’s Mr. Big Stuff and Dr. Lynda Brogdon, the owner and up.
Class 133A marked the first of three fiercely competitive splits of Two-Year-Old Stallions. These included Futurity nominated two-year-old performance stallions. Several of the horses who would come down the shoot for these three divisions were former Prodigy contenders and finalists. Judge Williams called the class, which had 16 horse-and-trainer teams contending. Walking out of the lineup and into the winner’s circle was FAST Spring Showcase and Woodbury Lions Club champion, Million Dollar Choo-PRS, ridden by Sam Martin for Presley Erwin of Olive Hill, Kentucky. Million Dollar Choo-PRS is sired by Jimmy Choo and out of Honor My Country. The reserve award was presented to Leave It To Choo RFF and Bill Callaway, riding for Sherri Pollack. Leave It To Choo RFF is sired by Jimmy Choo out of Love It Or Leave It and won this year at the Marshall County Horseman’s Association. The third award in the big class went to Honor’s Nip Of Gin and John Allan Callaway for LaRue McWaters.
Class 134 brought Owner-Amateur Five-Year-Old Stallions to the ring. Rollie Beard called the class of 12 entries. In the end, World Champion Straight Republican and Kelly Manis, the owner and up of Laurinburg, North Carolina, were called to make the victory pass. Straight Republican won this year at Walking In The Smokies, the Spring Fun Show and the Money Tree Classic. Wearing the crimson streamer for Darrell Oliver was World Champion 8 Mile SWF, with Nathan Oliver in the irons. In 2026, they had wins at Walking For Cancer and WHTA Fireworks & Freedom. Third on the cards were Jose’ Cruz SF and Dalia Smith-Harr for Dr. Shannon Harr.
The Equitation World Grand Champion, Finley Reed, was then presented to the crowd. She has been riding since she was eight years old and has shown in numerous divisions. Reed trains her horses without the help of any professional trainer. Her and her equitation mount, Cash Reaction, have been an inseparable team since October of 2020. Reed serves as the president of the TWHBEA Youth Association as well. Her dedication and work ethic are a powerful testament to her spirit and love of the Tennessee Walking Horse. She wore her floral wreath and medallion with a smile out of the ring.
Class 133B came next down the hill, the second of three Two-Year-Old Stallions splits. Judge Bonner called the class, which had 13 horse-and-trainer teams contending. Walking out of the lineup and into the winner’s circle was top five Prodigy finalist, Shiloh PCC, ridden by Bill Callaway for Ridgemont Farm – Barbara Corbett and Lynn Hickok of Blacksburg, Virginia. Shiloh PCC is sired by Geronimo and out of Title Me Gin. The reserve award was presented to Boogie Choos and Sam Martin riding for Floyd and Caryl Sherman. Boogie Choos is sired by Jimmy Choo and out of My Jose’s Ladybug. The third award in the big class went to Charlie’s Revival and Casey Wright for Darrell and Danny Oliver.
Class 135 was Owner-Amateur Five-Year-Old Mares & Geldings. Scotty Brooks called the class as six entries answered the gate call. They contended for a good spot on the rail as competition got underway. In the end, World Champion Charblackwood and owner Jimbo Conner of Sevierville wore the blue streamer and neck ribbon. With 2026 victories at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, East Tennessee Classic, ETWHA Ladies’ Auxiliary, the Money Tree Classic and the Waynesville Charity Horse Show, Charblackwood adde this world championship win to her titles. Wearing the crimson ribbon was five-time World Champion She’s Lined With Love 4G with owner Maria Bobo in the irons. Finally, placing third in the good class was World Champion I’m Meredith Grey and Charlotte Gray, up for herself and Benjamin Gray.
Class 133C was the final heated split of Two-Year-Old Stallions. Judge Sorrell called the class, which had 15 horse-and-trainer teams contending. Several Prodigy finalists were in this competitive class. Walking out of the lineup and into the winner’s circle was top four Prodigy finalist, Justa Renegade, ridden by John Allan Callaway for Mike Young of Gadsden, Alabama. Justa Renegade was sired by Justified Honors and out of Royal Titleist. The reserve award was presented to Gladiator 3A and Bill Callaway, riding for Jeanne Ann Rea. Gladiator 3A was sired by Justified Honors and out of Oops Maverick and was a top three Prodigy finalist. The third award in the big class went to Washington and Charlie Green for Holland and Clark.
Owner-Amateur Gentleman Show Pleasure, Class 136, was next down the hill as the night continued. Judge Williams called the exciting class of 12 entries. Riding around to make the victory pass for Jimbo Conner and Kyle Hicks of Sevierville was two-time World Champion Cash Agenda and Jimbo Conner. Cash Agenda won this year at the Waynesville Charity Horse Show, and this was the third year in a row he has won in this division. The second award in the class went to the team of A Brother’s Honor and Bob Adcock, up for Deb and Bob Adcock. Finally, the third award was presented to World Champion Rat Tailed Jimmy and Will Cole riding for Thomas Holton.
Class 137 brought 15.2 & Under Stallions into the ring to compete for the world championship. Beard called the class once 12 entries answered the gate call and found spots on the rail. Competition was very stiff in this division as well. However, in the end, it was World Champion and World Grand Champion Millionaire’s Row and Bill Callaway, up for Jackie Luttrell-Greenwalt of Brownsville, Kentucky. They won in 2024 in this division. Their 2026 victories included blues at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show and the Woodbury Lions Club shows. Second in the good class was awarded to two-time World Champion and two-time World Grand Champion Form A Line and Josh Watts riding for Carole Baxter. Form A Line had wins this season at the Heart O’ Dixie Spring Showcase, the FAST Spring Showcase and the Spring Fun Show. Wearing the yellow streamer for owners Savannah Erwin and Renee Smith was the team of Say Cash and Sam Martin.
Elite Owner-Amateur Ladies on Stallions, Class 138, entered the ring next with great gusto. A total of eight entries got underway at a flat walk under the direction of Judge Bonner. Walking into the winner’s circle was World Grand Champion Sweet Black Gin and Lorraine Rosbury riding for Keith and Lorraine Rosbury of Bell Buckle. In addition, this team won in 2026 at the FAST Spring Showcase. The second award in the class was presented to World Champion A Dark Horse and Dr. Lynda Brogdon. Their wins this year were at Walking In The Smokies, the Columbia Spring Jubilee and the Red Carpet Show of the South. Earning their way to a third-place finish was the team of World Champion He’s Hot and Sister Milligan.
Class 139, Owner-Amateur Mares & Geldings, brought a rush of excitement to the ring as the night grew late. Judge Brooks called the class of seven entries. Veteran world champions contended for the 2026 honors. After the cards were in, World Champion Time To Be Glamorous THF and Stephanie Cagle were called to wear the blue streamer and neck ribbon for Carly Cagle of Luray. Reserve awards were presented to seven-time World Champion Gotcha Jose with Brittany Baum, the owner and up. Finally, receiving the third award in the class were Cream And Sugar and Sellers Veazey for the Monty Veazey Family.
The final class of the night, 140, was Experienced Trainers, 36 & Older. This class brought out the best in these experienced trainers as they showed the world how it was done. Sam Sorrell called the class as the 18 entries took to the rail at a flat walk. Riding out of the lineup and to a world champion ride for Travis Hickman of Kodak was On Charlie Time and Chris Helton. This was the first world championship for On Charlie Time, after 2026 wins at Walking In The Smokies and the ETWHA Fun Show. Reserve honors went to YS Garfunkle with Clay Sanderson riding for Yellowstone Farm. YS Garfunkle had a successful show year with victories at the Cornersville Lions Club and Shelbyville Tennis Show. Wearing the gold streamer for Nathan and Lauren Rader was two-time World Champion The Jackalope with Amber Zahnd in the irons.
Monday night’s festivities were concluded. Competition would resume on Tuesday night for another Fan Appreciation Dollar Night. The former Prodigy finalists finally faced off in the Big Oval, delighting everyone who witnessed it. The weather had held out for another warm day of celebrating, as legends defended their titles and new names were added to the history books.