Aged Stallion classes thrill Celebration crowd

Dr. W.H. Hill of Powder Springs, Ga., celebrates winning a blue ribbon at age 90 at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration on Sunday night. Dr. Hill is believed to be the oldest class winner in the history of the event and received a standing ovation from the largest Sunday night crowd since 1969. (TWHNC/Avalon Equine Photo) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The Aged Stallion classes, featuring many of the top contenders for the Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Championship, took to the Celebration oval on Saturday night in Shelbyville at the 70th annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.

José's Intimidator and Jamie Bradshaw won over the crowd and the judges earning the A division title in Walking Stallions, Five Years and Over, Over 15.2 (Canter). Link Webb and Santana's El Niño took a second place finish.

Bill Bobo and Rowdy Rev took the win in the B Division; Knox Blackburn and Private Charter claimed the reserve.

The Aged Stallion wins by Bradshaw and Bobo set the stage for an interesting week of preparation heading toward next Saturday's World Grand Championship showdown.

In Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Walking Mares, Carla Brown rode Kat Man Dude to the win in the A division. In division B, A Dangerous Man and Donna Ingle Hill took home the blue ribbon.

Brandon Stout and Brooks Robinson made their way to the Blue Ribbon Circle in the Young Trainers, 35 Years and Under, on Walking Horses, 15.2 and Under class. Reserve honors went to Shock'n Y'all and Sam McLaughlin.

In the Western Park Pleasure Walking Horse (Canter), Dragonfire and Jamey Thompson picked up the blue ribbon. Patrick Thomas and Armed and Trigger Happy captured the reserve honors.

Sweepstakes Pzazz and Summer Brooks took the top honors in the Owner-Amateur Novice Youth Riders 12-17 Years on Novice Walking Mares or Geldings. Dancing their way into reserve honors were The Dance Hall Doctor and Lilly Waites.

In the Two-Year-Old Walking Mares the class had to split and Cash's Blackjack Fantasy with Bill Callaway made the first ride to the winner's circle in division A. Paroled in Texas and John Allan Callaway won the blue ribbon in division B.

Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Ponies, Stallions was next. Sue Ann Dowell and The Indy 500 made their way to the winner's circle. I'm Packing a Pistol and Charlene Gibson followed closely behind to receive the reserve honors.

In the Walking Yearling World Grand Championship, Devious Don and Chris Richards made it into the winner's circle. Nathan Mills and Major Generals Magic Miss got reserve honors.

Will-E-Walk and Harry York rode to the winner's circle in the Owner-Amateur Novice Gentlemen Riders on Novice Walking Stallions. Charles Stivers and Smoke N Cash MM came in to take the reserve honors.

A crowd of 20,812 witnessed the action, that included 194 entries, on Saturday night.

Sunday night

The Four-Year-Old Walking Stallions and Aged Mares were tops in the show ring on Sunday night.

The Coach and Joel Weaver turned in a stirring performance in the Four-Year-Old Walking Stallions (Canter) class, which was loaded with talent. Ozone's Cut Above All and John Allan Callaway received the reserve honors.

The Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 12-14 Years on Walking Mares or Geldings tri-color ribbon went to Lindsay Hess and She's Push In Command. The American General and Masie McSwain took second.

Wilsene Moody guided Foolish Dollar to a win in the Elite Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Mares or Geldings class. Bo's Shania Rose and Brenda Carlon rode in to receive the reserve honors.

Sunrise's Heartbeat carried Isaac McGee to capture the award for Owner-Amateur Novice Youth Riders 6-11 on Novice Walking Mares or Geldings, division A. Emilee Graves and She's High Falutin received reserve honors. Division B had Hello Generator and Jayden Jackson earning the blue ribbon. Reserve honors went to Buie Williams and Happy By JFK.

In the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 15-17 Years on Walking Ponies I'm Uncle Kracker and Haley Lane made the winning ride. Caleb Kilburn and He's Hot As Fire received the reserve honors.

W.H. Hill and Cash's All Star had the power to claim the first place award in the Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Horses, Riders 70 Years and Over. Radical Jazz and Mo Nisbett received the reserve honors. Hill, who turns 91 in November, has won this class for three consecutive years and holds the distinction of being the oldest rider to ever win a blue ribbon at the Celebration.

In the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 12-17 Years on Park Pleasure Walking Mares or Geldings, Santana's Coin and Lindsey Landrum rode to victory. Wham! and Austin Gillentine came in second place.

In the Walking Mares, Five Years and Over, Over 15.2 (Canter) class, Larry Edwards and Hosanna were the winning combination while Joe Cotten and Preakness rode to reserve honors.

The Owner-Amateur Riders on Four-Year-Old Walking Mares or Geldings was a split class. The A division ribbon went to Ashley Joseph and Bella Sera at the Ritz while Brett Jones and Dark Escape captured the B division ribbon.

The next class, which was also split, brought the Owner-Amateur Lady Riders on Novice Walking Stallions where Gen's Major Event and Julie Alford received the blue ribbon in division A. Outta Line and Kelly Peevy came in to receive the blue ribbon in division B.

The last class of the night was the Show Pleasure Walking Mares or Geldings. Absolutely Flawless and John Allan Callaway rode to the winner's circle to receive the blue ribbon. Tim Smith and She's One Hot Tamale received the reserve honors.

A total of 203 entries came through the gate on Sunday night with an actual attendance of 11,436 on hand to see the action. The paid attendance on Sunday night was 22,097. The actual attendance was the second largest Sunday night crowd in Celebration history and the largest since 1969.

The Celebration continues through Aug. 30. For more information on the show, go to www.twhnc.com.