Naples Ritz, Gray claim Three-Year-Old crown

WHBEA National Futurity Three-Year-Old Stallion champion, Naples Ritz and Tim Gray, riding for William B. Johnson of Atlanta, Ga., claimed the championship honors in the Three-Year-Old World Grand Championship division Thursday night at the Celebration.

Fourteen years ago, Gray rode Naples' sire, He's Puttin' On The Ritz, to the title in the same class.

Show of Jazz and Joe Martin were a popular reserve for Gus King, of Arab, Ala. Lined Walkin' and Justin Harris were third for The Joey Tidwell Family of Dallas, Ga.

The night began with the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-17 on Walking Ponies World Grand Championship.

Rudy Rudiger and Alexandria Holland showing for The Children of Neal & Sherry Holland of Decatur, Ala., won the class.

With the win, coupled with a win in 2006, the duo retired The J.E. Beasley, Jr. Memorial Challenge Trophy, The Master Plan/Gen's Sundance Lady Challenge Trophy and The Little Big Man Challenge Trophy.

I'm Uncle Kracker and Haley Lane, World Champions in the 15-17 Pony Preliminary, pulled in for the reserve honors for Dr. Linda Jones and Haley Lane of Bainbridge, Ga. Sweepstakes Hy & Mighty and Joshua Wright were third for Jeffrey Hinson and Josh Wright of Hohenwald and Reagan, Tenn.

The Lite Shod entries were up for class 135, Plantation Pleasure Walking Horses, Lite Shod, World Grand Championship (Canter).

Riding away with all the honors in the division were Honor My Cash and Patrick Thomas, World Champions in the Plantation Pleasure Walking Horses, Lite Shod (Canter) preliminary on Thursday morning, riding for Debbie and Don Parmer of Elizabethtown, Pa.

Calvin Klein's Obsession and Jeff Givens picked up the red streamers for Donald Knight of Murfreesboro. Rounding out the top three was Drop The Hammer and Connie Waldo riding for Waldo and Leek, LLC of Cedar Creek, Texas and Shelbyville.

There was a popular winner for the 15.2 and Under Walking Horse World Grand Championship (Canter). Shocking the competition with an outstanding performance were Shock Jock and Mickey McCormick, reserve World Champions in the 15.2 and Under Stallion preliminary, riding away with the tri-colors for Walker Coleman of Money, Miss. A Formula One and Joel Weaver accepted the second award and Reserve World Grand Championship for Anthony and Brooks Depierro of Delray Beach, Fla. Joe Cotten and More Of The Major were third for Jim and Judy Leek of Cedar Creek, Texas.

Twelve entries vied for the Elite Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Horses World Grand Championship. Making the ride of all rides on this Thursday night in Shelbyville, and doing so with a unanimous decision of the judging panel and the vocal support of the crowd, were Kid Callahan and Ed Breedlove riding away with the roses and tri colors for Genevieve Breedlove of Buford, Ga. Last year's WGC in the division, John F K's Pusher and Robin MacDonald accepted the reserve honors for Bruce and Robin MacDonald of Atlanta, Ga. & Shelbyville. All In and Mike Inman pulled in for the golden streamers for Mike and Karen Inman of Marietta, Ga.

Up next was Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-11 Years on Walking Mares or Geldings World Grand Championship. Striking a big smile as they made the ride with the roses with a big round of applause from the crowd was Moonstruck Dollar and Alex Blackburn in the irons for proud mom, Stacy Blackburn of Franklin, Tenn. Bold Stroke's Attraction and owner/exhibitor Hailey Puckett of Wartrace, pulled into the second position. Sunrise's Heartbeat and Isaac McGee rounded out the top three for Jeffrey McGee of Shelbyville.

The pleasure horses were back on the track for class 139, Owner-Amateur English Trail Pleasure World Grand. Riding in the spotlight tonight with a unanimous decision of the panel was Playin' Hooky and owner/exhibitor Liz Gassaway of Wartrace. This duo picked up three preliminary wins at the 2008 Celebration and moved up from their third place award in this championship in 2007. I'm Benny Too and Tim Brooks were reserve for Tim and Terri Brooks of Hot Springs, Ark. BJ Richards and High Tide Surfin' were third for Stacey Richards of Franklin.

Owner-Amateur Riders on Show Pleasure Walking Horses World Grand Championship was up next. Riding down the yellow brick road to the winner's circle, it was Ironworks Tin Man and Steve Jones making the winning ride for Ray Jones Trucking, Inc. of Greenville, Ky.

With this win and their win in the division in 2005, the duo retired The Cleveland Abee Memorial Challenge Trophy. She's One Hot Tamale and Amy Nesius were reserve in the class for McNeill & Nesius of Andalusia, Ala. & Chapel Hill, Tenn. Coin's Black Stroke and Jean O'Brien accepted the yellow streamers for Reggie Pimentel of Bell Buckle.

Western Plantation Pleasure Walking Horses, Lite Shod, World Grand Championship (Canter) was next and showing their very best to ride away with the tri colors with a unanimous decision of the panel was Red Sunday Best and owner/exhibitor Laurie Toone of Bell Buckle. Drop The Hammer and Connie Waldo were second for Waldo & Leek, LLC of Cedar Creek, Texas and Shelbyville. Rounding out the top three was Jose Quervo Gold and Joanne Davis showing for Williamson and Davis of Murfreesboro.

The Performance horses were back on the track for the Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Horses, 15.2 and Under, World Grand. Muddy Buddy claimed a World Grand Championship tonight with Alicia Perry McDaniel riding for The David Perry Family of Gaffney, S.C. Texas Joe Black and Kathy Zeis, World Champions in the 15.2 and Under Amateur Stallions preliminary, pulled in for the red streamers for Steve and Kathy Zeis of Douglasville, Ga. & Shelbyville. The Phantom Menace and Thom Meek were third for Deerwood Manor of Brentwood.

Paid attendance was 20,936 and actual attendance was 16,912.