By Britney Brown

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The last night of The Celebration had come. With spectators and exhibitors all in their finest attire, the stands crowded with people waiting to watch the crowning of the 2025 World Grand Champion. Prior to the usual Saturday night performance, David and Theresa Williams carried on with their tradition of sponsoring the annual Stick Horse class, free to all willing participants aged seven and under. An amazing 203 entries participated in the show ring experience, and every entry got a blue ribbon for their mount, and free ice cream sponsored by Murfreesboro Pure Milk for all their hard work. Then it was time for the festivities to get underway at precisely 7PM. White Diamond Dollar and Vicki Self carried the flag around the ring and parked over on the west side. Dan Ashey of the First Christian Church gave the invocation, and Craig Campbell of Eagleville sang the national anthem. Then, Steve Bowman sounded the bugle call for the first class.

The first of the 14 classes on the night’s schedule was Owner-Amateur Three & Under Trail Pleasure, class 190. Five of five entries came down the hill, and Judge Bobo called the class. These contenders started off the night strong with stiff competition. He’z Sugar Daddy, with owner Finley New of Franklin in the irons, made that spotlight ride around and into the winner’s circle. Bred by Dr. Donnie Headrick and sired by Daddy’s Cash, He’z Sugar Daddy won a world championship and a world grand championship in 2024 and had wins this year at Let Freedom Ring and The International. Reserve world grand champion honors were presented to Talkin’ Tennessee and owner/rider Sherri Pollack of Saratoga, California. Sired by Jose’ Jose’, Talkin’ Tennessee walked to his third world championship on Thursday morning in Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Trail Pleasure. He had earlier season wins this year at The FAST Spring Showcase, Spring Fun Show, Shelbyville Tennis Club and Christmas In July. Taking home third for Karen Doss and Emma Carter was the duo of Tony V and Emma Carter. 

Class 191 was next, the Park Pleasure World Grand Championship. Horses and trainers that had gone head-to-head all year faced off once again in the Big Oval for the ultimate win. Judge Campbell called the class of five entries. In the end, Midnight At Dixies and Jamey Thompson earned their way to a spotlight ride and the floral horseshoe for The Russell Clark Family of Arrington. Bred by John F. Dorris, and sired by The Dixie Lineman and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare, Midnight At Dixies won the Park Pleasure Five & Under World Championship on Wednesday morning. Taking home the scarlet and gold streamer to Shelbyville, Tennessee and Walterboro, South Carolina, for Vicki Penick and Julianne Laughlin was He’s A Dixieland Delight and Jeff Laughlin. He’s A Dixieland Delight was also sired by The Dixie Lineman, and won this year at Christmas In July. He is also a nine-time world champion. Third in the class went to Gin’s Slingblade and Patrick Thomas riding for Janson Patterson and Heritage Farms.

Class 192 kept the excitement rolling with Owner-Amateur Four & Five-Year-Old Country Pleasure. Six of six entries answered the gate call while Ross Campbell called the gaits in the class. Out of the lineup came Crypto and Kaitlyn Rippy for Andy Rippy of Gallatin to wear the tricolor ribbon by unanimous choice. Victorious this year at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show, Let Freedom Ring and Money Tree Classic, Crypto is a two-time world champion. Bred by Carl Edwards and Sons, Crypto was sired by Honors out of a Cash’s Blackjack mare. This team won the world championship in their qualifier on Monday morning as well. Coming to a reserve finish was Bodie with Freda Dean in the irons for Martin and Dean of Lewisburg. World Champion Bodie is sired by Gen A’Mighty and won this year at The Spring Extravaganza. Earning their way to the third-place award was Quesadilla with owner Sherri Pollack riding.

The bugle call came for Owner-Amateur Youth 12-17 on Mares & Geldings, class 193. Of the 27 entries, 22 stepped into the ring. They set off as David Sisk called the class. Following a workout in the class, it was the team of Quite An Honor and Maxine Beasley wearing the roses back to Athens, Alabama, for Beth Beasley by unanimous choice. A winner at the Spring Extravaganza, Walking For Cancer, Let Freedom Ring and The Red Carpet Show of the South this year, Quite An Honor is now a world grand champion and two-time world champion. Bred by Travis Hale, Quite An Honor is sired by Honors out of a Master Of Jazz mare. This is the last year for Maxine to compete in the youth division, and her first spotlight ride since her win in the Lead Line class. Quite An Honor and Maxine were world champions in their preliminary qualifying class on Thursday night. Walking to the reserve honors was The Longmire and Carson Sells, riding for John and Tara Sells of Pikeville. The Longmire is a three-time world champion, winning on Sunday night in the Owner-Amateur Youth 12-14 Mares & Geldings World Championship. Finally, the third-place award was presented to Jose’s Vindicator with owner Caroline Wesley Way in the irons.

Class 194 was the Show Pleasure World Grand Championship. Nine entries came into the ring to compete. After Judge Campbell finished calling the class, Fist Full Of Cash and Drew Graves were announced as the winners for Janson Patterson of Meridianville, Alabama. They made the spotlight ride as both Graves and Fist Full Of Cash earned their first world grand championship. Fist Full Of Cash won the Show Pleasure Five & Under World Championship on Wednesday night and had wins at the Walking In The Smokies, Spring Extravaganza, Upper Cumberland, Spring Fun Show, Christmas In July and Let Freedom Ring shows this year. He is sired by Jose’ Jose’ and out of a Lined With Cash mare. Walking to reserve in the class was Charlie Danger and Ryan Blackburn, riding for Ginger Williams of London, Kentucky. World Champion Charlie Danger had wins this year at Let Freedom Ring and the Owingsville Lions Club. Riding out of the lineup to receive the yellow streamer was YS Fly Like An Eagle with Lake Weaver in the irons for Ben Moss and Ron Carney. 

Owner-Amateur Mares & Geldings, class 195, came down the hill next. David Sisk called the class of 17 entries. Competition was downright fierce as the exhibitors each vied for world grand championship honors. After much deliberation, the judges chose TN Lineman (for the second year in a row) with owner Debbie Marbry of Shelbyville in the irons. A winner at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Upper Cumberland, Columbia Spring Jubilee, Walking For The Angels and Wartrace. TN Lineman is now a two-time world grand champion and a four-time world champion. Riding around to the second award was seven-time World Champion Gotcha Jose’ and Dr. Brittany Baum for Jacob and Dr. Brittany Baum of Shelbyville. This team won in the Owner-Amateur Mares & Geldings World Championship on Monday evening. Harley Quinn and owner/rider Beth Collins-Showalter were presented with the third award. 

The call came for the Trail Pleasure World Grand Championship, class 196. Five of seven entries made the gate call as Chris Bobo called the gaits in the class. A year of competing came to a head as these fine horses and their trainers fought for the roses. In the end, it was Blacklist and Carrie Martin DeJarnatte who made the spotlight ride by unanimous choice. The entry of Jane Pirolo of Franklin, Blacklist was bred by David Landrum, sired by Gen’s Black Gin and out of a Jose’ Jose’ mare. He won the Trail Pleasure World Championship on Tuesday and had wins this season at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Extravaganza, Spring Fun Show and Let Freedom Ring. Blacklist is a 13-time world champion and a five-time world grand champion. Taking home the reserve honors to Bainbridge, Georgia, for Tamara Hader was Checkpoint Charlie and Laurie Toone. Six-time World Grand Champion and 13-time World Champion Checkpoint Charlie is sired by Walk Time Charlie and out of a Pusher’s North Star mare, and had wins this year at The Phoenix, the WHOA Spring Extravaganza and The International. Third in the class went to Miss Ava and Krysta Allen riding for David Mesimer. 

Next was the Stars of the Future presentation, showcasing young riders from the various divisions. Lisa Turner and Scott Johnson made the presentation. McKinley Cutshaw and The Silver Lining, John Burton and Jose’s Bambino, Abigail Grace Taylor and Twenty Four Carrots ML, Ryder Wright and I Am March Madness, Reese Abernathy and Well-Armed American, Vivian Woodruff and Betrayal, Charleigh Goldman and The Comanche, Ally Jo Jacobs and Sweet Walking Matilda, along with Maxine Beasley and Quite An Honor all were recognized.

Class 197 brought the Park Performance World Grand Championship into the ring. Brent Grider called the class as five of seven entries that made their way down the hill to strive for the blue. Wearing the floral horseshoe and tricolor ribbon in the good class, by unanimous selection, was Limbaugh with Jeff Laughlin in the irons for Jannie Chapman of Red Banks, Mississippi. Limbaugh is a first-time world grand champion and won his first world championship on Wednesday in the Park Performance Five & Under class. He is sired by Walk Time Charlie and bred by Terry Alan Riddley. He had wins this year at The FAST Spring Showcase, TWHYA Summer Splash and Marshall County Horseman’s Association. Reserve in the class was presented to Suspect Shady SHF and Sam Martin for Dwight Brooks of Rogersville. Sired by He’s Slim Shady, Suspect Shady SHF won at Walking In The Smokies, Smoky Mountain Classic and Christmas In July. Tied in the third spot on the judges’ cards was Mayor Bill and Dan Waddell for George and Kim Lewis. 

Owner-Amateur Country Pleasure, class 198, was next in the program. All 10 entries answered the gate call. These riders took a deep seat and showed their horses as Judge Grider called the class. After the cards were tallied, Luciano and owner LaMar DePoyster of Greenville, Kentucky, made the unanimous spotlight ride. Bred by Judy B. Raad, sired by Jose’ Jose’ and out of a Generator’s Sundrop mare, Luciano is a five-time world grand champion and seven-time world champion, winning at the Spring Fun Show this season. The reserve ribbon in the class went to Nacho Business and Karen McGee for herself and Phyllis Langley of Fayetteville, Tennessee and Scottsdale, Arizona. With wins at The FAST Spring Showcase, Walking In The Smokies, Spring Extravaganza and Christmas In July earlier this year, Nacho Business won the world championship in the Owner-Amateur Novice Country Pleasure class on Thursday morning. Wearing the yellow streamer out was two-time World Grand Champion and six-time World Champion Jose’s Twist Of Gin with owner Patti Pollack in the irons.

Class 199 was the Two-Year-Old World Grand Championship. Robert Cortner was the call judge for the class of nine impressive horse and rider teams. Sho-Time and Casey Wright topped the class, riding for Bob Kilgore and Joseph Barnes of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, around the track and into the winner’s circle to wear the roses. Bred by James Vernon, sired by Honors and out of a He’s Puttin’ On The Ritz mare, Sho-Time won this year at Let Freedom Ring and won their section of the Two-Year-Old Stallions World Championship on Monday evening. The second-place honors in the class were presented to Rival and Tim Smith for Holland, Clark and Hale of Decatur and Arab, Alabama and McMinnville, Tennessee. Bred by Travis Hale, sired by Justified Honors and out of a Dragonfly mare, Rival won this year at the Marshal County Horseman’s Association, as well as winning his section of the Two-Year-Old Stallions World Championship on Monday night. Finishing with the third award was All Time Honor and Bill Callaway for Bob Adcock.

Class 200 ushered in the Owner-Amateur Four-Year-Olds. With Robert Cortner calling the class, 12 of 13 entries came down the hill and into the ring. Receiving the first-place tie, along with the tricolor ribbon and floral horseshoe, was Java with Nathan Oliver riding for The Dale Oliver Family of Bowling Green, Kentucky. This was Java’s first Celebration blue and it was a world grand championship ride. Java won at the Columbia Spring Jubilee and Let Freedom Ring shows earlier in the season and was sired by Master Of Jazz out of a Texas Joe Black mare. Second in the class, wearing the red and gold ribbon, was On Charlie Time and owner Greg Kiser of Rosedale, Virginia. On Charlie Time won this year at the ETWHA Ladies Auxiliary and Waynesville Charity show. Walking out of the lineup to a third-place finish was I’m Full Of Honor and Amy Ann Hurst for Mike McCormick and Amy Ann Hurst.

The Walking Horse Specialty World Grand Championship was class 201 on the program. Eleven entries competed for the honors as Judge Cortner called the class. These trainers took a deep seat and showed their horses at the running walk as the crowd cheered. In the end, it was Millianaire’s Row and Bill Callaway riding for Jackie Greenwalt of Brownsville, Kentucky, who made the good ride out of the lineup and all the way around under the spotlight. Bred by Sam B. Kite, sired by I Am Jose’ and out of a Titleist mare, Millionaire’s Row won this year at the Spring Fun Show and Marshall Couty Horseman’s Association. He is a back-to-back world grand champion in this division. Millionaire’s Row is now a two-time world grand champion and world champion. The second award was presented to the talented team of Warbird and Ryan Blackburn for Ginger Williams of London, Kentucky. Winning the Young Trainers 35 & Under Stallions World Championship on Tuesday, Warbird topped off a successful season of victories at Walking In The Smokies and the Owingsville Lions Club. Two-time World Grand Champion and five-time World Champion Warbird was sired by The Titleist and out of a Gen’s Armed And Dangerous mare. Third-place honors were given to three-time World Champion My Brother In Arms and Dan Waddell for Todd and Shanna Jackson. 

Class 202, the Owner-Amateur World Grand Championship (Canter), is always the second-to-last class on Saturday night. Judge Sisk was the call judge. With stiff competition in the air, these six entries found a good spot on the rail and exhibited their horses with all they had. Riding out of the lineup and around to claim the tricolor ribbon and the roses was I’m Jordan and Kenny Compton for Rick Compton of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Bred by Kenny Compton, sired by A.C.C. and out of a N.Y.P.D. mare, I’m Jordan won this year at the Smoky Mountain Classic and Christmas In July. I’m Jordan walked to a world championship in the Owner-Amateur Stallions on Tuesday. They won this class in 2022, 2023 and now 2025. This unanimous win brings I’m Jordan to three world grand championships and four world championships. Walking to a reserve finish was six-time World Champion Honor My Country and Stephanie White for Toni White of Fernandina, Florida. Bred by Karen L. Bean, sired by Honors and out of a Really mare, Honor My Country won this year at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Spring Fun Show and Walking For The Angels. They won the Owner-Amateur Mares & Geldings World Championship on Wednesday evening. Third in the good class went to Glory JC and Rae Abernathy for Sandy Shumate.

It had finally arrived: Class 203. The time had come to crown the 2025 Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Champion of the World. As is traditional, J Brantley played the “Flat Walk Boogie” as the eight entries made their way down the hill and into the ring one at a time under the spotlight. Judge Campbell called the class. Each of these horse and trainer teams had poured their heart, sweat and tears into the last year of work, honing these horses’ talent to put on this great, Saturday night performance. They went both ways at the flat walk, running walk and canter. Then, they lined up head-to-tail and the saddles were stripped as the judges walked around checking conformation. After that, they worked out again, going around the ring once more before being called into the lineup. Everyone waited with bated breath for the winner to be announced. Finally, Mark Farrar called Justified Honors and John Allan Callaway out of the lineup and around, under the spotlight, to wear the tricolor ribbon, earned by unanimous decision from the judging panel. Dr. Robert Watkins Jr. was the breeder of Justified Honors, affectionately known as Chauncy. This stallion, who is already the sire of champions, was sired by Honors and out of Maypine’s Doll Baby. Proudly owned by Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Justified Honors was the World Grand Champion in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He won his preliminary class last Saturday night, and with this win becomes a six-time world champion and the only horse to win the World Grand Championship title four times. Earning their way to a reserve world grand championship title was World Champion, Jura THF with Michael Wright in the irons for Darrell Oliver of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Bred by Travis M. Hale, sired by Jose’ Jose’ and out of a Ted Williams mare, he won his split of the Stallions (Canter) class last Saturday night. Finally, taking home the third award was 2024 Four-Year-Old World Grand Champion, My Addiction and RM Kellett riding for Mr. and Mrs. Howard Eastridge.

The 87th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration was concluded. The end to an exhilarating 11 days had come. Justified Honors made history as the first horse to win four world grand championship titles. Spectators, trainers, staff, grooms and owners all bid one another farewell as they headed back to their respective homes for some well-deserved sleep. This next year is sure to be an exciting one for our prestigious breed.