1979 World Grand Champion Rider and current Celebration flagbearer Bud Seaton of Milton, left, joined by his wife Nena, accepts the Celebration Amabassador Award from Celebration Director D.B. Nelson, Jr. The award was presented at the 2007 Celebration Appreciation Dinner on Monday night. (TWHNC photo) [Click to enlarge]

Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration held its annual appreciation dinner Monday night at the Blue Ribbon Circle Club.

Nearly 200 people were on hand for the festivities, which honor full-time and seasonal employees and others who play a role during the world championship horse show.

"This night is all about you," said Celebration Vice-Chairman Charles McDonald. "You people are on the front line every night and are one of the biggest reasons people come back year after year. For that, we thank you!"

One of the highlights of the night was the presentation of the Celebration Ambassador Award to Bud Seaton of Milton. Seaton, a World Grand Champion trainer and rider, has been the flag-bearer since 1996 and opens the show each night presenting the national colors aboard a solid white Tennessee Walking Horse. Celebration Director D.B. Nelson Jr. made the presentation.

A nostalgic mood swept across the room when keynote speaker, Dr. Bob Womack of Murfreesboro, turned back the clock to the very first Celebration in 1939. Womack, a TWHNC Hall of Fame member, was an exhibitor at the first show and authored the seminal history of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breed, "Echo of Hoofbeats." He has been on the faculty at Middle Tennessee State University for over fifty years and is a member of the Tennessee Teachers Hall of Fame.

David L. Howard closed out the evening by again thanking all of the Celebration staff members for their efforts. Howard is in the middle of a two-year term as chairman of the Celebration Board of Directors.

The 70th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is slated for August 20-30, 2008.