Shelbyville Times-Gazette: News : Horses and horse shows

Horses and horse shows

Futurity steps away (02/07/12)
The Tennessee Walking Horse Futurity will move to Murfreesboro this year. Formerly held on the first day of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in August, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA) announced Saturday that its 2012 Futurity will be held in conjunction with the World Versatility Show, set for July 19-22 in Murfreesboro at Middle Tennessee State University's Tennessee Miller Coliseum...

Horse show rep asks council to donate $10K (02/02/12)
Shelbyville's city council will decide next week how much funding they will donate to an upcoming horse show. The Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse (FAST) has made a request for funding help for their Spring Showcase set for March 15-17 at Calsonic Arena...

Horse industry needs chance but with a watchful eye (02/02/12)
Requests by officials of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration to Shelbyville's city council and the Bedford County Commission for a total of $11,500 in support of two horse shows bring on a perfect occasion for local officials to take a stand...

New shows seek support (01/25/12)
There are a couple of new horse shows coming to Shelbyville, and organizers are looking for support from both the city and county. The Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse (FAST) will hold a Spring Showcase from March 15-17 at Calsonic Arena...

Soring sentence includes order to write article for T-G (01/24/12)
Writing a newspaper article about his crimes is part of the punishment given to one of four people who pleaded guilty last year to soring horses. Paul Blackburn, 36, of Shelbyville received a year of probation and a $1,000 fine for conspiracy to violate the Horse Protection Act and substantive violations of the act....

Riding to new heights (01/15/12)
Great Strides will begin its 18th year of therapeutic horseback riding in Bedford County in April of this year. The Times-Gazette spoke about the organization with Kay Dennis, founder and current president. How did Great Strides get its start? Over the years I was involved with special education students in Bedford County and realized there was an opportunity for us to use the walking horses in this community to provide this service to many children. ...

Sentencing delayed in horse soring case (01/12/12)
Sentencing has been delayed until the end of next month for two people who have admitted their guilt in a federal horse soring case. Jeffery Bradford, 33, of Lewisburg, and Christen Altman, 25, of Shelbyville will now be sentenced on Feb. 27 instead of the original date of Feb. 13, according to an order by U.S. District Judge Harry S. Mattice Jr...

Equine equipment businesses merge, expand (12/28/11)
Three equine related businesses are joining forces to become the country's largest supplier of tack and apparel for gaited horses. The Winner's Circle Horse Supply, LLC of Shelbyville has announced an agreement to purchase the assets of gaited horse tack retailers World Champion Horse Equipment and National Bridle Shop...

Trainers' Show makes move (12/22/11)
The first big Tennessee Walking Horse show of 2012 won't be held in Shelbyville as in years past. A conference call was held earlier this week by the board of directors of the Walking Horse Trainers' Association (WHTA) to prepare for the upcoming 2012 National Trainers' Show in White Pine, in Jefferson County, which is in east Tennessee...

TWH groups form unity committee (12/15/11)
Four groups representing the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry have selected members of a new "unity committee" that is to focus on the future of the business. Two weeks ago, the boards of directors of four industry groups -- the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA), Walking Horse Owners' Association (WHOA), Walking Horse Trainers' Association (WHTA) and The Celebration -- met and agreed to form the committee to discuss issues related to the future of the breed in the show ring, as well as unification within the performance horse division.. ...

A dog and pony show. Seriously. (12/09/11)
When guests visit Suzanne Wheeler's horse farm, they tease her that it looks like the colloquial 'dog and pony show' -- which seemed like the perfect name for an event featuring and honoring both. "Who do you know that loves horses, who doesn't also have dogs?" said Wheeler...

Celebration's Meadows to leave in '12 (12/02/11)
Dr. Doyle Meadows informed the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration board of directors earlier this week that he will step down as CEO at the end of October, 2012, following the 74th annual event. Meadows told the board at its annual planning meeting and sent a letter to the members of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Association, the larger body from which board members are chosen...

TWH groups team up to fight change (12/01/11)
A "Unity Committee" will be formed to discuss issues related to the future of the Tennessee Walking Horse in the show ring and also to discuss unification within the performance horse division. However, the group objected to any reduction of pads and action devices for walking horses, also opposing proposed mandatory penalties by the Department of Agriculture (USDA)...

Horse groups close ranks (11/29/11)
The Tennessee Walking Horse industry will meet Wednesday to appoint a committee to look at "the welfare and future" of animals in the show ring. A recently passed appropriations bill includes a large increase in federal funding for enforcement of the Horse Protection Act, used to combat the practice of soring...

Letters to the Editor, Nov. 17 (11/17/11)
Editor's Note: When Barney Davis was arrested in connection with soring Spotted Saddle Horses in July, 2011, the Times-Gazette was contacted by a representative of the Walking Horse Trainers' Association, stating Barney Davis was not a member of the WHTA. ...

Document describes soring methods inflicted by convicted SSH trainers (11/13/11)
Documents made public recently in a local horse soring case detailed the abusive methods used on the animals. Last week, Barney Davis, 38, and Jeffery Bradford, 33, both of Lewisburg, and Christen Altman, 25, of Shelbyville, pleaded guilty to charges involving a conspiracy to sore spotted saddle horses and falsify paperwork...

3 plead guilty in soring conspiracy (11/09/11)
Three people at the center of a conspiracy to violate the Horse Protection Act pleaded guilty on Tuesday. Barney Davis, 38, and Jeffery Bradford, 33, both of Lewisburg, and Christen Altman, 25, of Shelbyville, appeared for a federal court hearing in Chattanooga and changed their pleas, admitting guilt...

TWH museum involves public in planning (11/04/11)
Wartrace will be having a "Night at the Museum" soon, but it's not the kind seen in the movies where exhibits come to life. Instead, the new home of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum is asking for the public's input as to how to tell their story...

Peebles cleared of sex charges (11/03/11)
Following a two-day trial, a Shelbyville horse trainer was found not guilty by a Bedford County jury of sexually related charges involving minors. J.W. "Dick" Peebles, 61, of Holt Avenue was arrested in January and charged with two counts of sexual battery, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means and solicitation of a minor...

Soring suspect pleads guilty (10/20/11)
A Shelbyville man is facing a year in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges involving soring spotted saddle horses. Paul Blackburn, 35, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga Tuesday to conspiracy to violate the Horse Protection Act. He is to be sentenced on Jan. 23 and faces up to a year in prison and a $3,000 fine...

Soring suspects plan to plead guilty (10/09/11)
The three remaining defendants in an alleged conspiracy involving soring spotted saddle horses have announced their intention to plead guilty to federal charges. Christen Altman, 25, of Shelbyville; Barney Davis, 38, and Jeffery Bradford, 33, both of Lewisburg; and Paul Blackburn, 35, of Shelbyville have all had hearings set before U.S. Magistrate Judge William B. Carter to change their pleas to guilty...

Older barns bite the dust at TWHNC (10/07/11)
Five of the older white horse barns are being torn down this week on the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds. The Celebration has made no official announcement about whether the barns will eventually be replaced, but officials have indicated that fewer stalls are needed on the grounds and that removing the older barns will add parking spaces...

Saddle 'em up! Strolling Jim Trail Ride draws hundreds (10/06/11)
The Strolling Jim Memorial Trail Ride, now in its 12th year, will be held this Saturday in Wartrace. An average of 500 riders attend the family-friendly event each year, according to organizer Ray Pimental. "Once you come, you're hooked," Pimental said Wednesday as he ticked off name after name of riders who attend year after year. ...

Champs finish 8th in state tourney (09/29/11)
For the first time in school history, the Cascade Champions competed in the A-AA state golf tournament, which was held at the Willow Brook Golf Club in Manchester on Tuesday and Wednesday. After the two-day tournament had concluded, the Champs finished eighth overall as a team with a combined score of 671...

Spots before their eyes (09/25/11)
From the time Beth Lawwell was a baby, horses have been a part of her everyday life -- and that tradition, passion and love for the breed is being passed down to her children. Her husband Josh and their two children, Jessica, 6, and Johnathan, 2, are horse crazy about spots...

Celebration attendance shows drop (09/13/11)
Attendance at this year's Celebration continued its downward trend, mirroring other recreational sporting events, with paid attendance at 168,481, down from 176,732 in 2010. "Although paid attendance was down 4.5 percent, a lot of people felt like the actual attendance at the Celebration was up," said Dr. Doyle Meadows, explaining "more people were in the stands," using tickets they purchased in advance...

'Stick'ing out in a crowd (09/11/11)
As horses worked the big oval during the last days of summer, local children had a show all their own, and they didn't need horses. Not real ones, anyway. Preschoolers from Miss Judie's at the Park Day Care "walked on" aboard their stick horses for the inaugural Walking for the Children Stick Horse Show...

Fall Classic won't be held (09/09/11)
Sometimes one show tells you all you need to know. The Celebration announced earlier this week that it would not be hosting the Celebration Fall Classic horse show it initiated last year. The show had been slated for Oct. 13-15. "The main reason we did it to start with was to explore the possibility of moving the Celebration further into the year," said Doyle Meadows, Celebration CEO. ...

Horseback in the moonlight... a perfect ride (09/07/11)
Is there anything better than a moonlight ride, listening to the steady clop of hooves and jingle-jangle of bits and bridles, all accompanied by the night song of crickets, cicadas and owls, and washed soft silver by the light of a full moon? How about a moonlight ride that not only gives you all of that, but also gives you the satisfaction of helping others? The Bedford County Cancer Foundation is holding its second annual Moonlight Trail Ride on Garrett Winnette's property at 161 West Rd. ...

Game World claims 2011 WGC (09/04/11)
Game World, ridden by Gary Edwards, was named World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse on Saturday night to close out the 73rd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. The horse is owned by Chester and Lynda Stokes of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla...

BREAKING: Game World wins 2011 TWH World Grand Championship (09/03/11)
Game World, with Gary Edwards up for Chester and Lynda Stokes of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. won the 2011 Tennesse Walking Horse World Grand Championship stake Saturday night.

Copperfield wins four-year-old championship (09/03/11)
Copperfield and Knox Blackburn won the Four-Year-Old Walking Horse World Grand Championship (Canter) at Friday night's Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in front of a lively and appreciative crowd. Receiving huge support and applause as well, Mr. Heisman and Brandye Mills pulled in to accept the reserve title for owners Randall & Sadie Baskin of Franklin. The LA Ritz and Joe Cotton were next for the third place honors for Rock Island, TN owners, Donnie & Charlotte Taylor...

World Grand Champion trainers (09/02/11)
Several of the best known Tennessee walking horse trainers took time away from the National Celebration to celebrate their fans by signing autographs at World Champion Horse Equipment on Madison Street. Russ Thompson of Unionville, left, chats with Vicki Self of Lewisburg while Billy Gray of Shelbyville autographs a collectible Breyer horse display. A steady stream of walking horse fans kept the trio busy signing a variety of memorabilia. (T-G Photo by Kent Flanagan)

Honors claims 3-year-old title (09/02/11)
The traditional final three championship nights began Thursday at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration with 12 winners riding to floral horseshoes. Thursday featured 140 horses in front of 16,407 fans. As always on the last Thursday evening, the final class was the Three-Year-Old World Grand Championship. ...

Aged stallions usually win, but could this be the year of the dark horse? (09/01/11)
Traditionally, Saturday night's World Grand Championship at the Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Championship crowns a horse from the aged stallion division. But that doesn't mean the World Grand Champion has to be an aged stallion. "It's anybody's game," said Dr. Doyle Meadows, Celebration CEO, in an interview with the Times-Gazette prior to the Celebration. "You just never know."...

1939 competitor revisits Celebration (09/01/11)
Several residents of Christian Care Center of Bedford County attended the Celebration on Thursday last week; for one of them, Mildred Bobo, it was a particularly poignant experience. "I hadn't been in years," said Bobo, 86. But, make no mistake about it, she's loved the Celebration ever since it started in 1939; she was a blue ribbon winner at that very first show, a fearless 14-year-old farm girl riding a two-year-old horse named Lady B. ...

Celebration prelims wind down (09/01/11)
Wednesday was the final night of preliminary classes at the 73rd annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Spectators will be treated to World Grand Championship classes and victory rides adorned with floral horseshoes tonight through Saturday...

Inspector is capable, USDA says (08/31/11)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture responded to the Times-Gazette's inquiry about the experience level of veterinarians inspecting horses during last Saturday evening's Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Industry leaders expressed their frustration with USDA inspectors after the agency turned down six horses before the aged stallion class...

Young Celebration fans love their own special events (08/31/11)
Activities outside the ring have paralleled the excitement inside the show ring for those who've attended the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. At any given time, horse enthusiasts can be seen visiting with each other in front of the barns, locals can be sighted picking up a dozen of the famous doughnuts and youths might be seen swapping stories about the latest world champion...

New traffic plan works well so far (08/31/11)
Reduced departure time after the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration's busier nights is already noticeable, emergency officials say, but changes in traffic patterns are still a work in progress. "It appears to be emptying out fairly quickly," Scott Johnson, director of Bedford County Emergency Management Agency, said Tuesday. "The real time to tell will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday -- the big nights."...

Blues awarded as championships near (08/31/11)
World Grand Championship classes are just two days away and things are well underway at the 73rd annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Enthusiastic fans were greeted with a 13-class schedule full of talented horses Tuesday night. Jimmy McConnell walked off with the blue ribbon on One Fine Line in the Four-Year-Old Walking Mares (Canter) class. Main Sweetie and Phillip Trimble received reserve honors...

Two-year-old stallions triple the fun (08/30/11)
The Two Year Old Stallion class was split three ways again this year at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration on Monday night. It was the first time at this year's show any horse from this class took a step around the big oval under saddle...

Eight stallions denied; inexperienced VMO criticized (08/30/11)
Discrepancies inside the inspection area at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration last Saturday night resulted in eight horses being turned away from a chance to compete for the walking horse World Grand Championship. Inspectors representing SHOW (Sound Horses, Honest Judging, Objective Inspections and Winning Fairly), the Celebration-sanctioned horse industry organization that ensures horses are in compliance with the Horse Protection Act, passed all but two horses of the 15 that showed up for the aged stallion competition classes.. ...

Alexander says Senate not as acrimonious as cable TV (08/30/11)
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, visiting the Celebration on Monday night with his granddaughter, told the Times-Gazette that while there are major ideological differences on Capitol Hill, the atmosphere isn't as personally acrimonious as some might assume...

Four-year-olds captivate Sunday night crowd (08/29/11)
The Four-Year-Old Walking Stallions commanded the crowd's attention on this Sunday night in Shelbyville! The weather stayed perfect and it became a pleasantly cooler evening for performances at the 73rd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration�...

Carving a niche: Artist creates horses from wood (08/28/11)
Two years ago, local cartoon artist Kevin Rains stumbled across an old chain saw while helping clean out his family's cabin in the Smokey Mountains. That find sparked a curiosity in Kevin that's become his new passion. After finding the chain saw, Kevin began studying the craft of wood carving. He's been practicing and fine tuning his skills ever since, growing a collection of art that ranges from walking sticks to pumpkins to black bears...

Alexander to visit Celebration on Monday (08/28/11)
Sen. Lamar Alexander is scheduled to visit the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration on Monday night. Alexander will visit center ring and make a presentation to a class winner, according to a TWHNC press release Saturday. The Republican senator and former Tennessee governor will attend as a guest of Steve Smith, a Tennessee walking horse breeder from Brentwood and member of the breed's Hall of Fame...

Horse show brings life to Shelbyville (08/28/11)
What a great time of year it is for Shelbyville and Bedford County! With horse show fans filling up our town and school in session, August is always undoubtedly a busy time of year for us at the paper. For me, this August has been particularly busy, yet fun and rewarding too...

Horse doctor has the cure (08/28/11)
When Dr. John Bennett heads out to work, it's still dark outside. Many days, by the time he gets home it's dark again. In the meantime, he will have traveled hundreds of miles, seen dozens of patients, and swapped jokes and friendly insults with grooms. trainers and owners...

Folsom Prison Blues, Game World win stallion class (08/27/11)
Folsom Prison Blues, Rodney Dick riding for the Jimmy Smith Family of Oliver Springs, won the "A" division of Walking Stallions, Five Years and Over, Over 15.2 (Canter). The "B" division was won by Game World, Gary Edwards up for Chester and Lynda Stokes of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla....

Longtime organist keeps 'em stepping high (08/27/11)
For the past 28 years, Larry Bright has been the man at the organ who fills The Celebration grounds with that familiar sound each season. And he's back again for his 29th appearance, taking his familiar seat in the center ring to liven up the nightly proceedings of the horses going around the ring...

Voice of show urges fans to relax (08/27/11)
The familiar voice of Bobby Sands continues to fill the air of the Celebration grounds this year and he has one message for guests of the show: Forget about the troubles of the world, "get in a Celebration state of mind" and just enjoy yourself. He should know. Sands got his start announcing horse shows back in 1972 at an event run by Middle Tennessee State University's Block and Bridle Club, and soon found himself in high demand...

Evening performances kick off at Celebration (08/26/11)
It's finally here! The time horse show fans wait for all year long. It's Celebration time in Tennessee. While the 73rd edition of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration has officially been underway since Wednesday morning, for many Celebration diehards the show really doesn't get started until it moves to the historic outdoor arena on Thursday evening...

Celebration traffic to flow differently (08/26/11)
Tennessee Highway Patrol, Shelbyville Police Department, and Celebration security officials have developed a new traffic control plan for the five nights of the Celebration with the highest attendance: tonight and Saturday, and Thursday through Saturday of next week...

Givens dominates model competition (08/25/11)
After a great night of looking at the future of our industry on Wednesday night at the TWHBEA National Futurity, horse show fans & exhibitors return to Calsonic Arena on Thursday morning for the morning session of the 73rd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. The 12 class schedule featured the Model, Trail Pleasure, Lite Shod & Park Pleasure divisions...

Trade Fair opens (08/25/11)
Dian Brown organizes T-shirts for sale at the Celebration gift shop in Calsonic Arena. The gift shop and several other vendors that are part of the 25th annual Trade Fair opened for business Wednesday. The Trade Fair, which is free to the public, is open each day of the Celebration from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler)

Celebration offers three-night box seat combination (08/24/11)
The Celebration begins its 2011 Walking Horse pageantry on today with a Celebration day performance and the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association National Futurity beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Celebration is making a special effort to encourage the community to purchase tickets...

Let 'em walk on! Celebration has begun (08/24/11)
Temperatures in the mid-90s didn't exhaust the enthusiasm of horse show fans moving onto the show grounds Tuesday. The 73rd edition of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration began this morning with classes in Calsonic Arena. The annual Trade Fair opened as well and the National Futurity competition, sponsored by the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association, kicks off at 5:30 p.m. All are free to the public...

Follow the Celebration online (08/24/11)
If you're looking to follow the 73rd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration and the Tennessee Walking Horse industry online, here are some handy links. You can also find these, in clickable form, at the Celebration page of the Times-Gazette web site, http://www.t-g.com/twhnc...

Futurity sponsor gives back (08/23/11)
The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association National Futurity competition is offering free admission this year. The futurity will be held Wednesday and serves as a kickoff to the 73rd annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration...

Banners hung (08/16/11)
Crews from Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage System installed banners welcoming Celebration visitors on North Main Street this morning. The banners were a topic of discussion earlier this summer; Shelbyville City Council granted permission for them to be placed, but declined to contribute anything toward creating them, and debated about the wording.

Suspect in soring case stays in jail (08/14/11)
A federal judge has ordered a Lewisburg man to remain in custody until his trial in October on charges involving an alleged conspiracy to sore spotted saddle horses and money laundering. Barney Davis, 38, was due to appear at a detention hearing Thursday in federal court in Chattanooga but, according to court documents, Davis has decided to waive any hearing...

Sign of support (08/12/11)
The Celebration has asked Shelbyville businesses to welcome visitors on their marquee signs. The Capri Theater on Depot Street complied with the request. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)

Ambassadors to greet Celebration visitors (08/11/11)
Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce ambassadors, who already represent the chamber at events such as ribbon-cuttings and coffees, will serve as greeters this year at the Celebration, welcoming visitors at the three most-used entrances to the outdoor arena and handing out the brochure for the "Jack Trail" including sites in Bedford County...

Wartrace Horse Show makes a splash (08/09/11)
Heavy rain and storms that bombarded Bedford County Saturday disappeared just in time for folks to converge for the historic Tennessee walking horse show Saturday in Wartrace -- muddy track and all. Saturday marked the 105th edition of the show, which has always been a favorite stop for many exhibitors on their way to the Celebration. It's the last in a series of three shows, including Fayetteville and Belfast, that often serve as the last tuneups for horses showing at the Celebration...

Dates scheduled for Peebles trial (08/07/11)
A Bedford County horse trainer is to stand trial this fall on charges he committed sex crimes against three minors. Dick Peebles will have a jury trial on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 for two counts of sexual battery, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means and solicitation of a minor...

Champion ribbons (08/07/11)
With ribbons like this going up all over Shelbyville, you know that Celebration time is drawing near. The display of the ribbons, which say "Our visitors are number 1" and "We are the Celebration," is part of an effort from the Celebration Association, which is busy distributing the ribbons to the business and retail community around town. Banners welcoming visitors to the city and the Celebration will also soon be erected as well. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)

Celebration entry numbers decrease (08/05/11)
Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration officials announced Thursday afternoon the preliminary entry numbers for this year's world grand championship horse show. This year, 2,874 entries will compete in the show, down 340 from last year's show, said Dr. Doyle Meadows, chief executive officer of The Celebration...

History lives at Wartrace Horse Show (08/02/11)
It's one of the last shows before the Celebration -- and one of the oldest shows in Tennessee. Come Saturday to Wartrace, and you'll see history walking, running walking, and cantering around the ring at the horse show grounds. "It should be a good show this year," said Heather Beard, secretary for the horse show committee. "All of our classes are sponsored -- there's 25 -- and trainers' response has been real good."...

Getting ready (08/02/11)
Will Finch sweeps away old paint being scraped away from steps underneath the east stands at the Celebration Grounds last Friday. The steps were freshly painted Monday as the grounds crew prepares for the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration later this month. (T-G Photo by David Melson)

Suspect in soring case is arrested (07/29/11)
A Lewisburg man accused in a conspiracy involving charges of soring spotted saddle horses and money laundering has been taken into custody by U.S. marshals. The T-G has confirmed that Barney Davis, 38, is now being held in Chattanooga for an alleged "supervised release violation from an earlier charge," according to Paul Salayko, a deputy U.S. marshal who handles public affairs...

McDonald still feels the spark (07/26/11)
Even on the week of his retirement, Charles McDonald talks excitedly about future projects and initiatives at Duck River Electric Membership Corporation, his employer for the past 37 years. McDonald, director of member services for the Shelbyville-based, multi-county electric cooperative, which serves 2,500 square miles of Middle Tennessee, will retire on Friday...

Trial dates reset in conspiracy case (07/24/11)
Trial dates in federal court have again been reset for four people accused in a conspiracy involving charges of soring horses and money laundering. U.S. District Judge Harry S. Mattice Jr. has ordered that Christen Altman, 25, of Shelbyville; Barney Davis, 38, and Jeffery Bradford, 33, both of Lewisburg; and Paul Blackburn, 35, of Shelbyville have their case heard by a 12-person jury on Tuesday, Oct. 18, in Chattanooga...

Judges chosen for 2011 TWHNC (07/21/11)
The 2011 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration will feature 12 years of Celebration judging experience within the five members of the judging panel. Jennifer Bingham and Jeff Willis, both of Shelbyville, Jamie Hankins of Paris, Ky., Ronnie Spears of Tullahoma and Jamie Bradshaw of Union Grove, Ala. were named judges of this year's 73rd annual event...

Banners yes, funds no: Council (07/21/11)
The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration received permission from Shelbyville's city council to display banners to promote the annual event, but no city funds will be going toward the effort. The CEO of the Celebration lamented the lack of support from the city for the annual event, while the council focused on the wording of the banners, a major sticking point that one member called "a mountain out of a molehill."...

Mule show a 'great' success (07/13/11)
Hundreds of donkeys and mules, their owners, trainers and fans visited the Celebration show grounds last week for the Great Celebration Mule and Donkey Show. It was, you could say, a braying success. "It went great," said Dale Barnett, marketing and media director for Calsonic Arena. "We had great classes, the crowd was really into it. The rain felt good and the humidity didn't."...

Soring suspect seeks delay in court date (07/13/11)
A Shelbyville woman accused of soring horses, money laundering and wire fraud is asking a federal judge for more time to prepare her defense. Christen Altman, 25, of Shelbyville filed a motion in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga asking to declare the case against her as "complex litigation" and is requesting a continuance in the matter, which is set for trial on Tuesday, Aug. 9...

Donkeys, mules hit the ring (07/08/11)
The Celebration offered its own sort of "Hee-Haw and Howdy" Wednesday evening as the mule and donkey show exhibitors trotted into town. While Celebration staff grilled burgers and chicken breasts for the visitors, the mules and donkeys themselves provided the sound track with snorts, whinnies and the occasional bray...

City asked to help purchase banners (07/08/11)
A representative of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is asking the city for financial help to purchase banners they hope to place throughout Shelbyville. Harold Segroves addressed the council, saying that he is chairing a committee at the Celebration to raise awareness in the community of the importance of the annual walking horse show to the local economy and to welcome visitors...

Big donkey, mule show is this week (07/05/11)
When you drive into Clearview Farm on U.S. 231 South, you'll see almost every breed of horse imaginable grazing in the fields or resting in the elegant barns. There will be quarter horses and Arabians, Freisians and walking horses, Appaloosas and spotted saddlehorses...

Wartrace lands Tennessee Walking Horse Museum (07/01/11)
You can't write the history of the Tennessee walking horse without mentioning Wartrace -- and soon, that's where you'll go to see that history firsthand. The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration announced Thursday afternoon that the "Cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse" is now the home of the Tennessee Walking Horse Museum...

F.A.S.T. horse show offers relaxed weekend fun (07/01/11)
Holiday weekends always seem to be fast, full and frantic, but Calsonic Arena is offering everyone a chance to slow down, kick back, and watch someone else work for a change. The second annual F.A.S.T. (Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse) Showcase horse show is Sunday. Admission and parking are free, and there will be other, special events inside, such as face painting and -- as always -- information booths about the Tennessee walking horse...

Wartrace gets museum (06/30/11)
The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration announced Thursday afternoon that Wartrace, the "Cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse," is now the home of the Tennessee Walking Horse Museum. Originally based in Shelbyville, the museum was moved to Lynchburg when a location was made available and because members of the museum board felt there would be more tourist traffic to the free venue. ...

Horse heaven on earth at 4-H show (06/28/11)
It was a spiritual buffet for the horse lover's soul last week at Calsonic Arena, with horses and riders coming from all over Tennessee to compete in the State 4-H Horse Championships. There were many breeds: quarter horse, thoroughbred, Arabian, Morgan, Tennessee Walking Horse, POA. There was every color imaginable, from flea-bitten gray to golden palomino. Polo and cross-country were just about the only horse-related events that weren't represented. Yet...

4-H Horse Show competitor moves on with more than memories (06/19/11)
Georgia Ralston is no stranger to horse shows. She has been showing in county shows, Academy shows and 4-H shows since she was only 3, when her aunt plopped her into the saddle for lead-line competitions. "My dad was a big cattle farmer and he didn't like horses. They don't make money," said the teenager, laughing. "My aunt really pushed it."...

Trial dates reset for soring suspects (06/08/11)
Trial dates have once again been reset for four area residents accused of soring horses, while one was arraigned in federal court on Monday. U.S. Magistrate Judge William B. Mitchell Carter ruled Monday that Barney Davis, 38, of Lewisburg, Christen Altman, 25, of Shelbyville, Paul Blackburn, 35, of Shelbyville and Jeffery Bradford, 33, of Lewisburg will now stand trial Tuesday, Aug. 9 in Chattanooga...

CLARIFICATION: Peebles case bound over to grand jury (06/09/11)
A horse trainer accused of sex crimes against three minors waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday, and has been bound over to the next session of the grand jury. Dick Peebles appeared briefly before General Sessions Judge Charles Rich, and his attorney, Clay Parker, stated that Peebles was voluntarily waiving his right to the hearing, which would have determined if there is enough evidence in the case to bind him over to the next grand jury session...

Funding cuts force layoffs of CDC workers (06/05/11)
"We serve the whole family, not just the child," says Teresa Winnette, manager of the Bedford County Child Development Center. The CDC provides comprehensive, early intervention services to meet the needs of developmentally challenged children ages birth to three years. On average, they serve 72 children each year...

Small horses have large following (06/03/11)
Janice Bryant is the proud owner of The Whole Nine Yards. No, not the 2003 World Grand Champion Tennessee walking horse, but a slightly smaller version. Okay, a much, much, much smaller version. If trainer Bill Bobo had to work with this Whole Nine Yards, he might find it easier to carry the horse than to have the horse carry him. Janice's version is a miniature horse, standing only 34 inches tall at the withers...

Horse experts meet state's native breed (06/03/11)
Usually, when the terms "Belgium," "The United Kingdom," and "Germany" crop up in an article about the Celebration and Tennessee walking horses, they are followed by terms such as "Special exhibition of ... Belgians, Thoroughbreds or Hanoverians." But the representatives of these three countries who shared a table at the Blue Ribbon Circle Thursday afternoon weren't horses -- they were experts on horses. ...

Liberty Lions prepare for horse show (06/02/11)
The Liberty Lions Club's 11th annual Walking Horse Show is coming up and the civic group is looking for sponsors. The show date is June 17 and money raised from the events helps many Lions Club projects in the Shelbyville and Rich Valley areas such as eye and hearing screening each year at Liberty School, financial assistance for eye glasses/exams, hearing aids, and the After Christmas food program which this past year provided food for more than 100 family members...

Folsom Prison escapes with blue (05/31/11)
All five of the stallions vying for the stakes class at the Spring Fun Show had their supporters, and the cheers followed them around the ring at Calsonic Arena like a wave Saturday night. Fans cheered on Star, the Reserve World Grand Champion of last year's Celebration and this year's National Trainers' Show. They clapped and whistled for Puttin Cash on the Line, who won two stakes classes last year, and they "whooped and hollered" for Jail Time, Folsom Prison Blues and Ultimate Power Stroke...

Fun Show visitors often spring back (05/28/11)
The Celebration's Spring Fun Show will end tonight, but many of those who came to watch, exhibit, or both will be back next year. And the next. "It's a family tradition," said Jill Smith of Jackson. "It has been for 25 years." Of course for her and her husband Verner and their children, it's also a family reunion as well as a family tradition...

'Traveler' joins owner at Fun Show (05/27/11)
Angie Runnels of Cape Girardeau, Mo., has been coming to the Celebration's Spring Fun Show for years, but this year, for the first time, she'll have a horse competing. Her 8-year-old Silver's Travelin' Shadow, called "Traveler" around the barn, was entered in the very first class, the Model class...

Peebles hearing set for June 20 (05/26/11)
A preliminary hearing for a horse trainer accused of sex crimes against three minors has been set for next month. Dick Peebles will appear before General Sessions Judge Charles Rich to see if there is enough proof in the case to bind him over to the next session of the Bedford County grand jury, which is scheduled to meet on June 20...

Fun Show opens Thursday (05/25/11)
The 41st Annual Celebration Spring Fun show, scheduled to begin Thursday night, is moving back inside Calsonic Arena after being outdoors in the big Celebration arena for the past two years. The show, a traditional kickoff to the summer season and a showcase for World Grand Championship contenders, expects attendance of over 6,000. It will run through Saturday night...

Soring trial set for July (05/15/11)
New trial dates have been set in federal court for three local residents accused of soring horses. U.S. Magistrate Judge William B. Mitchell Carter ruled Friday that Barney Davis, 38, of Lewisburg, Christen Altman, 25, of Shelbyville, and Jeffery Bradford, 33, of Lewisburg will stand trial Tuesday, July 19 in Chattanooga...

Witness 'fearful' of Altman (05/05/11)
A woman accused of soring horses by federal authorities has been ordered to stay away from a witness in the case, who claimed of being "fearful." Christen Altman, 25, of Shelbyville, has been ordered by a U.S. Magistrate to avoid all contact with anyone "who is or may become a victim or potential witness in the investigation or prosecution" in the soring case...

4th person charged with soring horses (04/27/11)
A 34-count superseding indictment was returned by a federal grand jury Tuesday against three people already accused of soring horses, with a fourth person also now charged. Paul Blackburn, 35, of Shelbyville was indicted Tuesday along with Barney Davis, 38, of Lewisburg, Christen Altman, 25, of Shelbyville, and Jeffery Bradford, 33, of Lewisburg...

Rare Gypsy Cobs visit for Shelbyville show (04/08/11)
It's a rare weekend in the ring and summer when there aren't horses at the Calsonic Arena, and this weekend, it's rare horses. The 3rd Annual Feathered Horse Spring Classic begins Saturday and ends Sunday afternoon with the popular costume contest. "You have to see the costume contest," said Joanna Griffin, who owns Emerald Winds Farm in Connecticut with her husband, Stephen. "The costumes are going to be something else this year."...

Where will Tennessee Walking Horse Museum land? (04/06/11)
In less than a month, the Tennessee Walking Horse Museum in Lynchburg will be closed, and its board of directors are still searching for a new home. The current location is a building owned by Jack Daniel's Distillery. Jack Daniel's didn't charge any rent, but now needs the space for commercial use, said Doyle Meadows, CEO of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration...

Double honor (04/01/11)
It shouldn't have come as much of a surprise to local trainer Dickie Gardner when he was inducted into the SSHBEA Hall of Fame at the January banquet. After all, he was also named Trainer of the Year -- the fourth time he's won that acclamation. What it was for the Bedford County resident, was humbling...

Gospel lessons, with help from a horse (04/01/11)
Have you ever had a colt that refused to follow the rules, even though those rules were designed to make its life easier? Come to think of it -- have you ever known a person who did the same thing? That's the premise behind Wildhorse Ministries, a Louisiana-based nonprofit that combines horse whispering with lessons from the Gospel. The ministry is led by Paul Daily who will bring his message -- and his equestrian skills -- to Calsonic Arena Saturday night...

Waterfall owners suspended over alleged violations (03/31/11)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has fined and suspended the owners of Waterfall Farms in Shelbyville for one year from any horse show or event in connection with alleged violations of the Horse Protection Act more than 10 years ago. William B. (Bill) Johnson and Sandra Johnson of Atlanta, known nationwide as breeders of champion Tennessee Walking Horses, were suspended for a year beginning on Jan. ...

Soring trial set for May 31 (03/25/11)
A federal judge has set a trial date of May 31 for three people accused of "soring" horses. Last Friday, a four-count indictment was returned on Barney Davis, 38, of Lewisburg, Christen Altman, 25, of Shelbyville, and Jeffery Bradford, 33, of Lewisburg...

Mounted patrol holds 'meet and greet' (03/22/11)

Trainers Show finalists repeat Celebration spots (03/22/11)
It was almost like the last class of the 2010 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration revisited. When Star, a crowd favorite whose registered name is actually Moody Star, was called as the stakes winner of the 43rd annual National Trainers Show Saturday night, the crowd went wild...

3 accused in soring incidents (03/20/11)
A federal grand jury has accused three area residents of soring horses. A four count indictment was returned on Barney Davis, 38, of Lewisburg, Christen Altman, 25, of Shelbyville, and Jeffery Bradford, 33, of Lewisburg. All three were arrested and appeared in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga late Friday...

Fun for funds (03/17/11)
By the time this weekend is over, some walking horse trainers will have a rainbow of ribbons on their stall doors. Some trainers will have trophies, or new horses or new clients. But by the time Wednesday night was over -- some of them had pie on their faces...

Ex-Celebration CEO leads TWHBEA (02/22/11)
Ron Thomas, the former CEO of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, was recently appointed the new executive director of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association, headquartered in Lewisburg. "We are very pleased that Mr. Thomas accepted this position and thank him for his willingness to serve our great breed. I feel we have a bright and fruitful future ahead of us," said TWHBEA president Marty Irby...

Horse or not, teens invited to join riding group (02/20/11)
You don't necessarily have to have a horse to reap the benefits the animals shower upon many young folks they touch. The Wrangler Horse riding group is inviting anyone interested in horses to sign up for the upcoming show season. If you do have a horse, you must sign your horse up for Wrangler Horse group events by March 1. The next group meeting will be held at 6 p.m. March 7 at the Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center on Midland Road...

Peaches reaches for top trophy (02/11/11)
Okay -- it's not your usual Valentine story. Sandra Johnson of Waterfall Farms visited a friend's hunting plantation more than a decade ago and fell in love. Her husband Bill didn't mind, since he kind of fell hard himself. Now those who know the Johnsons and their amazing stable of walking horse superstar studs won't be surprised to find out that the object of their affections had four feet and a tail -- but they might be surprised to find out it didn't whinny. It barked...

Korley loses brave battle with illness (02/03/11)
For Korley Davis, the long hard battle is over. The Liberty School sixth grader, who would have turned 12 on Friday, died Wednesday morning at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. She was the daughter of Becky and Donald Davis of Wheel. "Liberty School is in mourning today as we have suffered a great loss," said Principal Mike Novak in a written statement. ...

Home is where new TWHNC marketing director's heart is (01/26/11)
"I spent years trying to get out in the world," said Dale Barnett. "And I've spent the last years trying to find a way to come home" Luckily, the Bedford County native found that way home. He was recently named the new marketing and media director for the Celebration and Calsonic Arena...

WHTA suspends Peebles' license (01/07/11)
The Walking Horse Trainers' Association has suspended the license of a trainer who has been accused of sex crimes against three minors. The WHTA announced Thursday the action against Dick Peebles, who was arrested Monday and charged with two counts of sexual battery, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means and solicitation of a minor...

Trainer faces sex charges (01/05/11)
A member of the Celebration Hall of Fame was arrested and accused of sexual offenses involving teenage girls. J.W. "Dick" Peebles, 61, of Holt Avenue, Shelbyville, was arrested Monday and charged with two counts of sexual battery, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means and solicitation of a minor...

Celebrating the season (12/02/10)

National Weather Service thanked by Celebration (11/04/10)
At the Celebration, the horse show goes on, weather or not ... but it always helps to know just what weather that's going to be. That's where the NWS comes in. "The National Weather Service is a critical resource and partner for local emergency management agencies and other officials," said Scott Johnson, director of the Bedford County Emergency Management Agency. ...

Labor of love (10/28/10)
It isn't a big, nonprofit agency. It isn't even nonprofit -- although it makes no money -- and it certainly isn't big agency. What it is -- is Lazy Acres Farm Equine Rescue -- the life mission of one woman alone. For five years now, Nancy Stevenson has been rescuing older horses, often damaged horses who might otherwise be on their way to a meat packing plant or some other ugly end. ...

Hundreds of fans attend Fall Classic (10/15/10)
At noon Thursday, the Celebration grounds were empty except for two workers repairing a stall door. There were no trainers, no visitors -- not even any horses. By the time the gate opened for the first class of the Celebration's inaugural Fall Classic, that had changed. While not crowded to Celebration capacity, there were at least 200 people in the stands, ready for the show to begin...

Fall Classic joins Celebration schedule (10/12/10)
A few years ago, the only time you saw horses in the big ring at the Celebration was, well, during the Celebration. But the organization decided to bring the Spring Fun show back outside two years ago, and now it has added the Fall Classic. "The Celebration is excited about putting on a fall show," said CEO Doyle Meadows. "It's obviously the first time we've put on a fall show that's sponsored and held at the Celebration."...

Celebration plea for waste pickup denied by council (10/07/10)
Shelbyville's city council said Tuesday they would be opening a can of worms if they began providing Dumpster service at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Public works director Mark Clanton told the council that The Celebration contacted him several weeks ago asking if the city could provide garbage pickup since they had withdrawn from their contract with the firm Waste Management...

Back on the trail (09/30/10)
Saddle 'em up and move 'em on out because it's that time of year again! About 500 riders and their horses will be enjoying the crisp October air and fall colors Oct. 9 as they participate in the 11th annual Strolling Jim Trail Ride in Wartrace. "It's a real family-oriented event," said the ride's founder, Ray Pimental. ...

Ride to the top: Mounted patrol at prestigious equine event (09/29/10)
Think of them as the Olympic Games for horses. The Alltech World Equestrian Games opened this weekend in Lexington, Ky., being held on American soil for the first time since the games began 20 years ago. In fact, it is the first time the games, held every four years, halfway between the real Olympics, have been held outside of Europe...

Spotted horses: Classic style that's here to stay (09/26/10)
Did you know horses are as subject to the whims of fashion as high heels or, heaven help us, hip-huggers? This can be a good thing -- it introduces the world to a new breed or a new aspect to an old breed. I remember when I was a young girl, about 9 or 10, and Stud Spider took the world by storm...

Star of the trail (09/26/10)
Take a two-year-old, barely broke filly and an 11-year-old girl and you could have a recipe for disaster. Or a recipe for greatness. Brooke Burgess, now a 20-year-old Motlow College student living in Manchester, and her now 11-year-old spotted saddle mare Pride's Stars & Stripes have been racking up the ribbons in TWHBEA and SSHBEA shows across the South...

The real reason why we have children (09/08/10)
As I sent my 18-year-old son thundering down the million-story stairwell from the Celebration press box and all the way out to the parking lot and the van to get something I'd forgotten -- for the second time that night -- I thought, smiling, "This is why we have kids."...

All about the bling (09/07/10)
By now, the stalls on the Celebration grounds are empty, the flotsam and jetsam of the world's greatest horse show have been cleaned up and thrown away, and all that's left for many is just the memories. For others, though, there's more than that. The owners, trainers and riders of the champions aren't the only ones who walk away from Shelbyville the day after Labor Day loaded down with trophies. For many people, collecting souvenir memorabilia is just another fun tradition at the show...

Webb students to learn on horseback (09/07/10)
The Webb School is expanding its extracurricular offerings to include horseback riding. A pilot program initiated last spring by 1995 Webb alumna Sandi Jobe and six enthusiastic students, Webb's after-school equestrian club begins anew this month with a goal of becoming a member of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association...

The Coach, Gray ride to WGC (09/05/10)
It was all anyone could ask for -- not too hot, not too cold, clear skies and amazing horses. For Billy Gray and The Coach, the last night was everything they could have hoped for -- because it ended with a World Grand Championship and their names in the history books forever...

BREAKING: The Coach named WGC (09/05/10)
The Coach has been named World Grand Champion at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.

Dark & Shady wins 4-Year-Old WGC (09/04/10)
Dark & Shady and Jimmy McConnell excited the walking horse fans as he walked around that big oval adorned in a floral horseshoe and tri-color ribbon for the Four-Year-Old Walking Horse World Grand Championship� (Canter)! He was in front of a lively crowd on Friday night at the 72nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration� in Shelbyville, TN. ...

Wishes come true at center ring (09/03/10)
The crowd at the Celebration often jumps to a standing ovation, cheering on a favorite horse or simply acknowledging the flag as it is carried by Bud Seaton and Counterfeit Dollar. Wednesday night, however, fans found themselves giving not one, but two standing ovations that really had nothing to do with horses...

Copperfield wins 3-year-old title (09/03/10)
Trainers, Exhibitors, and Horses have prepared all year long and were ready to compete for their own spotlight ride and floral horseshoe. It is a Celebration tradition to save the last three nights of competition for crowning World Grand Champion� horses. Tonight fans were excited to see 138 championship entries enter the ring in twelve World Grand Championships classes. These last three nights typically are the best of the best, and this evening did not disappoint...

Perfect fit (09/02/10)
The slogan for Equi-Tech's specialized riding gear, Tacky-Tack, is "Nothing Slips By Us." That includes opportunity. Company owner ("Manager, CEO, janitor, you name it," he says) Jim Williams read about the Bedford County's new Mounted Patrol in the Times-Gazette and saw the opportunity to help out his adopted community...

Preliminaries close at Celebration (09/02/10)
Wednesday was the final night of preliminary classes at the 72nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration� in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Spectators will be treated to World Grand Championship classes and victory rides adorned with floral horseshoes in the ring for the final three nights of competition...

Service earns payback (09/01/10)
Charles Grissom arrived at the Celebration Saturday night dressed to sell Lions Club programs, as he does during much of the show. His wife Wanda, however, told him to wear long pants, pointing out that there would be family members present. He arrived at the show and began selling programs. Then, a little later, Wanda brought him a coat and tie and told him to change clothes...

Championships on the horizon (09/01/10)
World Grand Championship classes are just two days away, things are well underway at the 72nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration! On Tuesday night, enthusiastic fans were greeted with a 13-class schedule full of talented horses. Michael Wright walked off with the blue ribbon on Tuesday night on top of Here's Your Change in the Four-Year-Old Walking Mares (Canter) class. Paroled in Texas and John Allen Callaway received the reserved honors...

Stallions ride rough roads (08/31/10)
The two winners of the Aged Stallions class at Saturday night's Celebration had victories on more than one level. Rowdy Rev won section B for the third straight year. Always a crowd favorite, he was cheered as he made his victory lap. Owned by Bill Harlin of Harlinsdale Farm in College Grove and trained by three-time Trainer of the Year Bill Bobo, Rowdy Rev has had a series of setbacks when it comes to the Celebration...

Three divisions of 2-year-old stallions (08/31/10)
The need to split the Two Year Old Stallion class three ways again this year shows the strength of the industry. This is the first year any horse from this class took a step around the big oval under saddle. This was a talented group of young stallions that made for a great show at the 72nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration� in Shelbyville, TN on Monday night. ...

4-year-olds highlight Sunday night action (08/30/10)
The Four-Year-Old Walking Stallions commanded the crowd's attention on this Sunday night in Shelbyville! The rain moved on and it became a wonderful cool evening for performances at the 72nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration�. The Four-Year-Old Walking Stallions class did not disappoint this year, and as usual the competition was strong. Rodney Dick captured the blue ribbon with Folsom Prison Blues. Dark & Shady and Jimmy McConnell received the reserve honors...

McWherter, Black visit TWHNC (08/29/10)
Gubernatorial candidate Mike McWherter and U.S. House candidate Diane Black visited the Celebration on Friday, eager for the chance to greet potential voters. McWherter is a past visitor to the Celebration whose cousin once exhibited here. Black, a state senator from Gallatin, made her first Celebration visit on Friday...

Shoot-em-up on the grounds (08/29/10)

Scent of success: Rib chef absorbed master trainer's skills (08/29/10)
As the horses, and horse owners and trainers roll in every year, Shelbyville seems to come alive with additional flavor. New sights, sounds, and scents fill the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Grounds and even overflow onto Madison Street...

The Golden Sovereign, Rowdy Rev win stallion class divisions (08/29/10)
The Aged Stallion classes featured many top contenders for the Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Championship, including several trainers riding for multiple World Grand Championship Honors. The big oval was packed with the toughest competition thus far. It was Saturday night in Shelbyville, at the 72nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration....

Friday night Celebration recap (08/28/10)
The split 3-Year-Old Stallion class at Friday night's Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration brought out the best in young horses who are likely to be seen at future shows. The "A" division was won by Copperfield, with Knox Blackburn in the irons, while Mr. Heisman and Brandye Mills took the "B" division....

Trade fair underway at Calsonic Arena (08/27/10)
There are many traditions involved with the Celebration, from the formal wear of the awards presenters to the Optimist Club donuts. When thousands of visitors come to Shelbyville every year, they come for the whole package, not just to see the horses...

UPDATED: Horses aren't the only competitors at show (08/27/10)
It's Celebration season, and it's also election season, which means candidates for governor and the 6th District House seat will be making the pilgrimage to Shelbyville. Businessman Mike McWherter, the Democratic nominee for governor, plans to be at the show tonight, while Republican nominee and Knoxville mayor Bill Haslam will be at the show on Sept. 4, the night of the World Grand Championship...

Thursday night Celebration recap (08/27/10)
It was a pleasant evening for opening night performances at the 72nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration�. Much cooler and agreeable weather and large classes greeted an enthusiastic opening night crowd for the 14-class session that featured 210 entries...

Future on parade (08/26/10)
The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association's National Futurity Wednesday night brought horses from as far away as California and Oregon, all there to represent the promise of the breed. According to Stan Butt, the executive director, more horses than ever registered for the classes last night...

Young horses claim spotlight tonight as breeders show off upcoming talent (08/25/10)
Things are hopping at the Celebration grounds as owners, trainers, riders, grooms, salesman, civic clubs, and just about everyone else even remotely related to the walking horse industry gets geared up for the big show. But that doesn't open until Thursday. Tonight, beginning at 5:30 at Calsonic Arena, the spotlight shines on the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association's Futurity...

Box seat plan offered (08/25/10)
The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is offering a four-night box seat combination (6 seats) for the first Saturday night (Aug. 28) and the three championship nights (Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 2-4) of this year's show. "Many people want box seats but are unable to purchase a box for the entire Celebration. ...

20 classes to be split at Celebration (08/12/10)
A total of 20 classes will be split at the 72nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, including a three-way split in 2-Year-Old Walking Stallions. The division of horses has also been announced in the aged stallion class, the preliminary class from which the World Grand Champion usually comes...

Smooth ride in Wartrace (08/10/10)
More than a thousand people turned up for the 105th annual Wartrace Horse Show Saturday night -- and they didn't have to slog through mud to get there. "The weather was great," said the show's chairman, Roy Ferguson. "It cooled down after dark and it was real comfortable."...

Wartrace show adds more classes (08/06/10)
The annual Wartrace Horse Show is shaping up, according to show manager Roy Ferguson. 'I'm very optimistic," he said. "The classes are all sponsored, the show grounds look great and we're getting good feedback from the trainers," he said. It's going to be a bigger show this year, with 28 classes compared to last year's 24, and two more Riders Cup classes added to last year's four...

Yee haw, haw, haw (07/08/10)
If there's one thing mule and donkey aficionados share beside a love for long ears and braying, it's a sense of humor. Maybe that's why they like the long ears and braying so much ... The 19th annual Great Celebration Mule and Donkey Show opens today at the Calsonic Arena, and that sense of humor is evident in the T-shirts, the banners, the names of the animals, and the names of the farms and ranches from whence they come. ...

F.A.S.T. horse show on fast track (07/01/10)
If you're looking for a break from the neighborhood kids throwing firecrackers, another round of watermelon, or in-laws visiting over the holiday weekend -- head down to the Calsonic Arena Sunday for the F.A.S.T. Showcase horse show. "F.A.S.T. is the Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse," said Brenda Carlon, a member of the nonprofit organization's board of directors. "We raise funds to support different avenues of the show horse."...

Skills and talent: State 4-H Horse Championships underway (06/23/10)
The kids crowding the Calsonic Arena and the Celebration grounds this week have more in common than their love of horses and horsemanship. Each and every one is a member of a 4-H club somewhere in Tennessee. The Tennessee State 4-H Horse Championships are being held this week, ending Saturday, as kids from 13 to 18 gather to demonstrate their skills and knowledge...

Spots before your eyes (06/11/10)
No, you aren't seeing a horse of a different color if you go to Calsonic Arena this weekend. You'll be seeing ponies -- lots of them -- and of all different colors, but all spotted. The Southeast regional Pony of the Americas championship is being held there, starting today and going through Sunday. Admission is free and classes begin at 7:30 a.m. each day...

Entries rise, violations fall at Fun Show (06/02/10)
The numbers were up for the Spring Fun Show -- which pleases the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration CEO Dr. Doyle Meadows. There were almost 400 entries in this year's three-day show -- more than twice the number of last year's. The numbers were also down -- which pleases Tony Edwards, the DQP coordinator for SHOW, the Celebration's HIO in charge of inspections...

'Cash' pays off (06/01/10)
The heat, the humidity, even the threat of rain couldn't keep the die-hard Tennessee walking horse fans away from the Celebration's Spring Fun Show as it concluded Saturday night. Even as the stakes class approached, massive black clouds rolled over Shelbyville, lightning flickered within, but all eyes were on the ring...

Animal carcass disposal firm to end service soon (05/30/10)
In 2009, in Bedford County alone, farmers had to dispose of 585 tons of dead cattle, calves, horses and hogs. A great many of those animals were picked up from farms by Kentucky-based Griffin Industries, a service for which the county paid $30,000 in the current fiscal year. Griffin Industries rendered those carcasses into byproducts like animal feed...

Fun Show springs into action (05/28/10)
Memorial Day Weekend -- it is a time to remember those who have fallen in service to their country. It's also a time to get together with friends and family to enjoy picnics and that first big weekend on the lake. It's also the annual Spring Fun Show at the Celebration, which started Thursday night...

A horse by any other name (05/02/10)
By now, the Kentucky Derby is over, and if what I feared has happened has happened, Bob Baffert has yet another Derby to his name. This is my least favorite trainer of all time, and not just because he likes too-tight jeans and never takes his stupid sunglasses off. ...

New marker honors Shaker's Shocker, Sain family (04/25/10)
Despite the wet weather -- with worse yet to come -- dozens of people turned up at the Sain House at the Webb School. The event was to dedicate a historical marker commemorating the Sains and their 1966 World Grand Champion Tennessee walking horse, Shaker's Shocker...

Webb to honor Shaker's Shocker, Sain (04/23/10)
A horse is a horse is a horse, of course -- but sometimes, that horse is much, much more. One such animal was Shaker's Shocker, the 1966 World Grand Champion. The big black 4-year-old stallion rode to the top honor with his owner and rider Elizabeth F. "Betty" Sain -- making her the first woman to win the title...

Leaders meet champion (04/20/10)

Noted educator, walking horse historian Womack dies (04/20/10)
Dr. Bob Womack, a Bedford County native, longtime professor at Middle Tennessee State University and author of "The Echo of Hoofbeats," the definitive history of the Tennessee walking horse, died Saturday at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro. Womack was the father of former State Sen. Andy Womack. He was born and raised in Bedford County but had lived in Murfreesboro for the past 53 years....

Riding the hoof beat (04/18/10)
The newly-formed Bedford County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol, which held a public "meet and greet" event Saturday at Tractor Supply Company on North Main Street, hopes to play a role not only in crowd control and security at events like the Celebration but also in missing persons or evidence searches where it is impractical to bring a motorized vehicle...

Feathered horses visit Calsonic Arena (04/16/10)

Stories in still life: Artist specializes in equine subjects (03/19/10)
You don't have to have thousands and thousands of dollars to take home a beautiful Tennessee walking horse from the Walking Horse Trainers' Association's annual show. Just stop by Billie Nipper's booth on the mezzanine at Calsonic Arena and see what she has to offer...

Meadows likes opening night turnout at Trainers Show (03/18/10)
Only a few classes into the 42nd annual Walking Horse Trainers' Association show, there were already several hundred spectators. "I'm very pleased with the turnout," said Dr. Doyle Meadows, CEO of the Celebration as well as the head of SHOW, the horse industry organization that sanctions the Trainers' Show...

Season's local kickoff begins Wednesday (03/16/10)
It's traditionally the first big show of the horse show season -- the first chance fans get to see if their favorites are coming back this year and what the new crop of colts and fillies look like. Last year, however, the Walking Horse Trainers Association's annual show wasn't the kickoff for the season...

Winter coats (02/17/10)

Copper's ordeal: second horse rescued from icy pond (01/15/10)
For the second time within a week, emergency crews were called Thursday to rescue a horse from a partially-frozen farm pond. Copper was discovered in the pond on property belonging to Tommy and Tewaan Tucker off Anthony Road northeast of Shelbyville about 3:45 p.m., Tommy Tucker said...

Holiday de-lights (12/17/09)
Among Shelbyville's holiday season traditions are the Christmas lights provided by the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. The festive displays -- many, as would be expected, with a 'horsey' theme -- brighten the nights along Celebration Drive. A trip through these lights plus the display at H.V. Griffin Park is a must each year...

An equine Christmas (12/10/09)

Down but not out: Injured rodeo star on long ride back to ring (11/26/09)
"Well, they always said I was hardheaded." Marcella Upchurch grinned as she said this. The puckish grin isn't the only thing she's hiding under the brim of her ball cap. There's also a faint scar, and beneath that -- a titanium metal plate. The 17-year-old from Rover almost died in September when a routine rodeo competition in Columbia went suddenly, terribly wrong...

Australian trainer offers advice at 2-day clinic in Shelbyville (11/20/09)
"With the right tools and instruction, you can turn your horse into the willing partner you've always wanted!" Those are the "words of wisdom" offered by Australian trainer Clint Anderson, whose program on RFDTV -- the highest-rated horse-related show -- has earned him fans and enthusiasts all over the world...

Spotted horses get sporty at Calsonic Arena (11/06/09)
Gaited horses are back at Calsonic Arena this weekend, only they've left their English saddles and fancy riding habits behind. This weekend features the Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association's Sport Horse championship, where the breed truly gets to prove its versatility. ...

Calsonic Arena crew members are quick change artists (10/16/09)
When Calsonic Arena opened in 1989, 20 years ago, officials from the Celebration and from the arena's benefactor and naming sponsor, Calsonic Manufacturing Corp. (now CalsonicKansei North America), said they hoped it would be not only a place for equestrian competition but also for a wide variety of events to benefit the community...

New cancer charity plans benefit horse show Saturday (10/14/09)
A new foundation has been formed to help local cancer patients, and its concept is different from the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. All money raised through the Bedford Cancer Foundation, formed last month, will directly benefit local cancer patients. Starting with Saturday night's Walking For Cancer Horse Show, the foundation will have two large benefits each year, said Jon' Jenn�, board member of the foundation...

Trainer faces difficult times after brain aneurysm (10/14/09)
When Jerry Williams left the hospital, a baby in his mother's arms, it was 38 years before he'd ever have to go to a hospital again. In fact, you might even say the Tennessee walking horse trainer was as healthy as a horse. That changed Sept. 30. "I came home for lunch and I was getting ready to go back to the barn," said Jerry. "I got hot and broke out in a cold sweat, and got a bad headache -- a pain like I've never felt before. I was numb on one side and couldn't move. I yelled for Jamel."...

Trail ride postponed (10/08/09)
A quadruple bypass couldn't stop Raymond Pimental's annual Strolling Jim Trail Ride -- but Mother Nature could. And has. "We're going to have to postpone it for two weeks," said Pimental Wednesday morning. "The field where we park the cars is too wet, and it's supposed to rain tomorrow and a 70 percent chance on Friday."...

Happy trails as Stolling Jim ride continues (10/04/09)
Here's a special notice to the 468 riders who showed up in Wartrace with their horses last year for the 10th annual Strolling Jim Trail Ride: Y'all come back now, y'hear? The popular trail ride is on again, taking place next Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m...

SSHBEA show continues at Calsonic Arena (10/01/09)

The Buzz from the Celebration (09/13/09)
I took Buzz to the Celebration on the last Thursday night of the show. There's nothing like seeing something through the eyes of a child to make you see it brand new for yourself. This was his first horse show, and after the second or third class, he turned to me, puzzled...

Weather holds for Celebration (09/08/09)
It's all over but the clean-up and the countdown to next year, but all in all, it was a memorable Celebration, capped by a memorable World Grand Championship. For the first time in many years, there was little rain and the temperatures stayed pleasantly warm...

Watch It Now wins WGC (09/06/09)
The wind was whipping the flags of states and nations over the Celebration grounds Saturday night -- and the horses were whipping the crowd into a frenzy just below. After 11 days of classes, triumph and heartbreak often riding side by side, it was time to declare the World Grand Champion of the 71st annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration....

Celebration's championship classes commence (09/04/09)
Tennessee Walking Horse exhibitors show all year hoping to ride under the spotlight at The Celebration. On Thursday night, 10 world grand championship classes took to the ring. Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-17 on Walking Ponies World Grand Championship contenders went down to the big oval to work for the top prize in the division. ...

For these visitors, the Celebration is a time to get together (09/04/09)
While Tennessee walking horses may be what brings thousands and thousands of visitors to the Celebration, they aren't all the event has to offer. For many of the horse lovers, their and friends and their families, it's all about getting together. "We aren't showing any," said Jim Atchinson, a retired banker, Thursday night. ...

Trade fair continues through Saturday (09/03/09)
Okay, everybody's tired of hearing about how bad the economy is -- so keep reading. Although big-ticket items, such as designer outfits and life-sized horse statues, aren't exactly leaping off the floor at the Celebration's trade show, the smaller items, from jalape�o jelly to jewelry to T-shirts, are moving right along...

Celebration preliminaries close (09/03/09)
Wednesday marked the final night of preliminary classes at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville and that means spectators will be treated to championship classes in the ring for the final three nights of competition. The Wednesday night schedule featured 13 classes highlighted by three sections of Owner/Amateur Riders on Three-Year-Old walking Mares or Geldings...

Good, down-home fun survives at the Celebration (09/03/09)
When I go to the Celebration's Trade Fair in the Calsonic Arena, I always go prepared. I take my camera, my notepad -- and just enough money to buy one Diet Coke. You see, I'm not real good at resisting temptation, at least not when it comes to jewelry, food and, well, stuff...

Did you find all 38 horse names? (09/03/09)
EDITOR'S NOTE: Wednesday, we published the following story and challenged readers to find 38 horse names from the 2009 Celebration program hidden in it. How many did you find? Today, we have the answers highlighted, with their entry numbers. Note that both "Star" and "Star In The Making" are in the program, so those two names overlap....

Bribery alleged; dissastisfied exhibitors complain (09/02/09)
SHOW, the Tennessee walking horse industry's regulating body, suspended exhibitor Clay Mills of Mount Airy, N.C., and said it would seek a five-year suspension and $25,000 fine as the organization investigated bribery allegations. Rumors of bribery and corruption at the Celebration filled walking horse internet message boards and picnic table conversations Tuesday, but were not confirmed until late afternoon....

Too much reality: find the horse names in this short story (09/02/09)
EDITOR'S NOTE: Once again, Times-Gazette City Editor John I. Carney has had a little fun with the variety of horse names reflected in the entries for the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. The following short story contains 38 different names from the 2009 Celebration program. Can you find them all? Some are easy, others more difficult. Two of the names overlap. Answers will appear tomorrow....

State appeals court rules for Horse Hub (09/02/09)
NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Court of Appeals last week upheld a trial court's decision for the woman who runs The Horse Hub in Wheel just east of the Marshall County line. Horse Hub proprietor Bonnie Cady was fined $17,000 in March 2005 by the state Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for practicing veterinary medicine, including artificial insemination and ultrasound exams...

Missing links: only 12 of 33 stallions show in Saturday class (09/01/09)
As exciting as Saturday night's Celebration was for many -- it was a disappointment as well. Out of the 33 stallions scheduled to show in the split Aged Stallions 15.2 and over classes, only 12 made it to the ring. Those conspicuously missing were crowd favorites Weekend Warrior, Ironworks Tin Man, It's Billy the Kid and many others...

Yum! Optimist donuts are still a-round (08/31/09)
There are only a few things in life that you can be sure of -- death, taxes, and someone claiming the Optimist Club doughnuts don't taste as good as they did last year. "It happens every single year," said Travis Spivey, laughing. Spivey was manning the Optimist booth Thursday night. "Someone always says they don't taste as good, or we've changed the recipe. Nope. Same recipe as always."...

Junior stallions, aged mares highlight Sunday night Celebration program (08/31/09)
The Four-Year-Old Walking Stallions and Aged Mares were tops in the show ring on a brisk Sunday night in Shelbyville at the 71st Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. The Four-Year-Old Walking Stallions (Canter) class is always a class with a lot of talent and this year was no different. Justin Harris captured the blue ribbon with Lined Walkin. Gameworld and Gary Edwards received the reserve honors...

Coach, Rowdy take Stalion Classes (08/30/09)
Out of the 33 stallions signed up to show in the Aged Stalliona 1.2 and over classes -- qualifying classes for the World Grand Championship next Saturday night -- only 12 horses made it to the ring. There were seven in the first class, won by The Coach and John Allan Callaway, and only five in the second, which went to Rowdy Rev and Bill Bobo for the second time in two years...

Classic ride: Old horses find new life in show ring (08/30/09)
Talk about some classic competition! The Tennessee walking horse industry is one of the few in which you will find complete show classes dedicated to the classic horse -- the horse that is 15 years or older. And not only do these senior citizens of the equine set compete against each other in their own Golden Ages class, but they often compete against younger horses -- and win...

Three-year-old stallions step out at Celebration (08/29/09)
Three-Year-Old Stallion classes dominated competition at the 71st Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration on Friday night. The always popular Three-Year-Old Walking Stallions class was split into two divisions. Division A's blue ribbon winner was Folsom Prison Blues with Rodney Dick. Link Webb atop George W. McClintock rode to the Blue Ribbon Circle in Division B...

Teens take the reins of horse show judging (08/28/09)
Don't judge them just because they're teenagers. That's their job -- to judge. On Saturday morning, about 250 middle and high school-aged children will invade the Celebration to practice and pit their walking horse judging skills against each other...

Celebration evening classes get underway (08/28/09)
A pleasant breeze crossed Center Ring opening night performance of the 71st Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration�. Agreeable weather and large classes greeted a boisterous opening night crowd for the 17-class session that featuring 224 entries. Five classes were split due to the high number of entries...

Street Legal's short ride comes to a sudden halt (08/27/09)
His portrait is on the front cover of a section in the Times-Gazette's Souvenir Celebration edition that comes out Friday -- but he won't be competing this year. Or ever again. I'm Street Legal, the winning pony owned by 18-year-old Laura Lester, died Tuesday night of pneumonia, a complication from an unidentified illness. The Souvenir section was printed before the horse's death...

Founding family thrives at Futurity (08/27/09)
If it weren't for a Wartrace man named James T. Brantley and a black stallion named Allan that no one wanted, there probably wouldn't be a Tennessee walking horse today. It was Brantley who recognized the seeds of greatness in the horse and its potential as a foundation sire that led to today's breed...

Futurity results (08/27/09)
Calsonic Arena, Shelbyville Park Pleasure Two & Three Year Old 1 The Red Falcon, owned by Berry Coffey Estate 2 Devious Don, owned by Lisa Anderson 3 I'm a Shady Character, owned by Jeff Heuer 4 Dixie's Revenge, owned by Moore/Foust Farm...

It's show time in Shelbyville as horses arrive for TWHNC (08/26/09)
It's that time again ... The trailers are sprouting up in the fields next to the Calsonic Arena like mushrooms and the lines at the fast food restaurants are getting longer. Strangers have moved into your neighbors' houses and your neighbors are taking their vacations -- elsewhere. At no other time of the year does Shelbyville fill up as it does during the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Trainers, owners, riders, vendors and fans come to visit, bringing their money with them...

Multiple inspections planned for show horses (08/26/09)
While the Celebration brings visitors, horses and cash flow to Bedford County, it often brings controversy as well. In recent years, relations between government inspectors, trainers and Horse Industry Organizations have been tense and entire organizations have had their boards of directors shuffled or even dissolved...

FAST finalizes board of directors (08/26/09)
The Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse (FAST) has finalized its board with the appointments of Bruce Vaughn, Eugene Ray and David Landrum. Vaughn is a long-time owner and exhibitor of Tennessee walking horses and also serves on the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association Executive Committee. Vaughn is from Valley City, Ohio...

Rising stars shine at Futurity (08/23/09)
When visitors come to the Celebration and see the hundreds of horses parading around the ring -- flat shod and padded, ridden by professionals or amateurs, pulling carts or carrying rider -- they may not realize they've seen many of these horses when they were just colts and fillies. That is, they have if they've ever gone to the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association's National Futurity...

Splits announced for Celebration stallion class (08/12/09)
It reads like a Who's Who in the walking horse world -- the Celebration has just released the names of the aged stallions who will be contending for this year's World Grand Championship. The first Saturday night of the Celebration is typically known as "Stallion Night" with the two divisions of walking stallions, 5 years of age and over, and over 15.2 hands. said Jimmy Burton, spokesman for the event...

Ironwork's Tin Man takes Wartrace blue (08/04/09)
Ironwork's Tin Man had a good year in 2008. The big 17-hand horse -- a polished gray that looks like liquid silver -- won six blues on the show circuit last year in the amateur categories, including the Amateur Show Pleasure World Grand Championship at the Celebration. Is he, or are his owners Grant and Steve Jones, ready to rest on their laurels? Not likely. The 13-year-old stallion won the stake class at the 103rd Wartrace Horse Show Saturday night...

Wartrace prepares for horse show (07/30/09)
With less than a month before the opening of one of the biggest horse show in the world, the town of Wartrace is gearing up for one of the oldest horse shows in Tennessee. The 103rd Wartrace Horse Show is Saturday night at the horse show grounds, just across from the city park...

Signs show support for horse industry (07/24/09)
The Tennessee walking horse industry has take some hard hits in recent years, but many people and businesses have continued to support it. Now, those people and businesses who want to say "Thank you" to the industry that brings an estimated $50 million a year to Middle Tennessee can do so with special yard signs...

SSHBEA Mid-Season Show begins tonight (07/17/09)
The owners of spotted saddle horses like to brag about the versatility of their chosen breed. "They can be your weekday trail riding horse and your weekend show horse," they'll tell you. And they're right. A quick glance at any group of trail riders is going to reveal at least one, if not more, spotted saddle horses in the herd. ...

Celebration judges announced (07/17/09)
Celebration CEO Dr. Doyle Meadows announced that the judging panel for the 71st annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration has been selected. The group includes Rollie Beard of Lewisburg, Jamie Bradshaw of Union Grove, Ala., Mike Carpenter of Franklin, Jennifer Bingham of Shelbyville, and Sam Sorrell of Flemingsburg, Ky...

Mule and donkey show draws strong participation (07/14/09)
Out West, they call them "mountain canaries" because they surely love to sing. Of course, a donkey's "song" may not fall melodically on a human's ears, but there were planty of concerts being given at the Celebration grounds last weekend during the Great Celebration Mule and Donkey Show. Competitors came from across the nation and across the county. They brought huge, Belgian-cross mules and tiny miniature donkeys, and just about anything long-eared that fell in between...

Mules, donkeys, miniature donkeys invade Calsonic Arena (07/09/09)
Those big, gentle mules so well known and well loved in Tennessee aren't the only long-eared critters that are roaming the Celebration grounds this weekend at The Great Celebration Mule and Donkey Show. Donkeys of all sizes will be claiming their moment in the spotlight, from the big mammoth donkeys, at about 14 hands, or 56 inches at the withers, and up, to the tiny -- and lovable -- miniature donkeys, measuring under 12 hands, or 36 inches...

SHOW tells public of violations (07/08/09)
The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration's horse industry organization, SHOW (Sound horses, Honest judging, Objective inspections and Winning fairly) has issued several suspensions lately to owners and trainers as the result of violations at recent shows, said Doyle Meadows, CEO of the Celebration, who said the primary goal was to protect the horses...

Wartrace show steps on (07/08/09)
With more than a century of history behind it, the Wartrace Horse Show is known as one of the oldest in the state. But this year, it almost became known as the show that wasn't. "What began as a shaky start is now full steam ahead," said show manager Roy Ferguson. "The show will go on."...

'What A Horse' seeks city funding (07/08/09)
A supporter of the Celebration told Shelbyville City Council that the recent controversy surrounding soring and inspections of walking horses is having an enormous negative impact on the region's economy. And unless something is done, he said, this situation could get much worse for the county...

State 4-Hers swarm Calsonic for annual horse show (06/26/09)
Anyone who has been in 4-H can tell you the Hs stand for "head, heart, hands and health," but if you ask the hundreds of young people down at the Calsonic Arena right now, there ought to be a fifth H. Horse. The Tennessee 4-H Horse Show is being held on the Celebration grounds, both in the arena and the Champions Arena just behind it. ...

Barbecue lunch to precede annual Liberty horse show (06/18/09)
The Liberty Lions Club is celebrating its 10th anniversary walking horse show Friday -- and it's kicking off the party early. "We're having a luncheon from 11 to 1, serving barbecue to the public for $5 a plate," said Paul Gambill, the show manager. "We're looking forward to a good show."...

Kids on the spot at POA show (06/11/09)
If you're seeing spots in front of your eyes this weekend at Calsonic Arena, it's got nothing to do with the heat -- and everything to do with the ponies. The Tennessee Pony of the Americas show will be this Friday and Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. each day...

Tensions continue at walking horse inspection area (06/07/09)
Some visitors to the Trainers' Show Friday night saw what is becoming an all-too familiar sight in the walking horse world -- classes with only one or two horses competing. It is a trend owner Ira Kilbern of Kentucky is afraid will destroy the industry...

Trainers up for blue ribbons (06/05/09)
Lisa Baum doesn't have to go far to have a good time. The Shelbyville resident (and wife of veterinarian Jim Baum) took another blue ribbon Thursday night at the Trainers' Show on her gelding Tony Montana, only a few weeks after the pair won big at the Celebration's Spring Fun Show...

Trainers confident of show's success (06/02/09)
More than two months after it was originally supposed to take place, the Walking Horse Trainers' Association show will be held this weekend at Calsonic Arena. The show, first slated for March 19-21, was postponed as the WHTA and the Walking Horse Owners Association considered what to do about their horse industry organization, the National Horse Show Committee. ...

It's hard not to love Tennessee, say the Mortons (05/31/09)
When Wendy Morton looks out the large kitchen window each morning she sees green pastures, rolling hills, a pond, horses, cats, dogs -- and all things nature. It is exactly the window she'd been looking for her whole life. Dream farm Through triumphs and challenges, Wendy and her husband Bryant, both veterinarians, have paved the way to their dream home, nestled in the serene countryside of Flat Creek...

The Coach claims Fun Show blue (05/26/09)
Only three answered the gate call for the last class of the 2009 Spring Fun Show, but they were very strong competitors, according to a news release from the Celebration. Winning the blue ribbon by a unanimous decision was The Coach with John Allan Callaway up for Holland, Kilgore & Barnes of Decatur, Ala., Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Pigeon Forge. Blue Blooded Bandit and Knox Blackburn took the reserve award. The yellow ribbon was awarded to Gold Sky MC and Randy Young for Mike Chandler of Sparta...

Fun Show picks up Friday night (05/24/09)
Another great night of blue skies welcomed visitors to the second session of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration's 39th Annual Spring Fun Show Friday. A good crowd was on hand to watch the sixteen classes make the gate call onto the Celebration Arena track, according to Jimmy Burton, spokesman for TWHNC...

Huff earns first place in Friday's Fun Show (05/24/09)
As the crowd was settling into its seats Friday night, seven young riders answered the gate call in the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 12 to 17 Years on Walking Mares or Geldings. Receiving the first blue ribbon of the evening was Shes Push In Command JA and Lindsay Hess. The reserve honors in the class went to Summer Brooks on Sweepstakes Pzazz...

Let the Fun begin (05/22/09)
The 39th Annual Celebration Spring Fun Show opened Thursday night in the Outdoor Stadium on the Historic Celebration Grounds. The annual festival returned to the place of its birth after nearly 20 years inside Calsonic Arena. Counterfeit Dollar and Bud Seaton opened the show with the presentation of the national colors, and the first blue ribbon of the 2009 Shelbyville walking horse season was presented to Lisa Baum aboard Tony Montana in the Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Mares or Geldings, 15.2 and Under.. ...

Orphaned foal 'adopted' by new mother (05/22/09)
The third time should have been the charm. Striding at the Ritz, a Tennessee walking horse mare owned by Amanda Winters, lost her first two foals soon after birth before anyone realized there was a medical reason. Similar to human "blue babies," who have blood incompatibilities with their mothers, Ritzy had a condition that made her colostrum -- the all-important first fluids a foal drinks -- incompatible with her own offspring...

All eyes on Spring Fun Show (05/21/09)
During winter training, baseball fans peek over the fences at their favorite teams, trying to decide who's in shape and who isn't; which one of the young rookies called up from the minors will be the season's shining star; and which old pro will find himself sent back down to the minors...

SHOW opts out of Operating Plan, adopts own penalty structure (05/21/09)
Doyle Meadows, CEO of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration and its SHOW organization, announced Wednesday that SHOW has opted out of the 2007-09 Operating Plan. "After weeks of meetings, discussions and input from outside groups, SHOW has made the decision to opt out of the Operating Plan and institute a new penalty structure," he said...

Unique and beautiful feathered horses visit Shelbyville (04/17/09)
If you go to Calsonic Arena today and Saturday to see feathered horses, don't expect to see Pegasus flying around -- they aren't those kinds of feathers. You may, however, find a unicorn. "Everyone says he looks just like a unicorn," said Lisa Warmels, who shows the Gypsy cob, Dalcassian...

Harry named interim coordinator for SHOW (04/10/09)
Celebration CEO Doyle Meadows has named Dr. Mike Harry to the position of Interim Compliance Coordinator for the newly formed horse industry organization (HIO) SHOW. His appointment is effective immediately. SHOW Designated Qualified Persons Coordinator Andy Messick will answer directly to Harry. Meadows will head up SHOW until an overall director as well as an independent board can be appointed...

Celebration takes over NHSC's role (04/01/09)
Less than a month after the walking horse owners and trainers agreed to dissolve the National Horse Show Commission and hand its duties over to the Celebration, the transfer is a done deal. The speed of the turnover surprised many, including Doyle Meadows, CEO of the Celebration, who said the feedback on the entire affair has been positive...

Celebration CEO expects decline in sponsorships (04/01/09)
Across the country -- across the globe -- it's the same. From nonprofit groups to super sports franchises, everyone is feeling the crunch as corporate sponsorship declines. In The New York Times, it was reported that the LPGA Tour is dropping four tournaments because three title sponsors dropped out, and the PGA Tour will lose three title sponsors but no events. ...

UPDATED: Link Webb hospitalized (03/30/09)
FARMINGTON -- Link Webb, president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Trainers' Association and trainer of current World Grand Champion Santana's El Ni�o, was injured in a one-vehicle crash Friday night and remained hospitalized in Nashville on Monday morning. Lincoln "Link" Eugene Webb, 35, of State Highway 64, proprietor of Webb Stables in Marshall County, was driving home alone after buying tickets to a rodeo for his family, according to his mother-in-law, Elaine Beaty, of Byrdstown....

Trainers' Show rescheduled for June (03/29/09)
The Walking Horse Trainers' Show is back on, and a new horse industry organization (HIO) is set to be activated Wednesday. The Trainers' Show will be June 3 through 6 at the Calsonic Arena, said show chairman Benny Johnson. The show was originally scheduled for March 19-21, but was postponed as trainers and owners debated the future of the National Horse Show Commission, the horse industry organization that sanctioned the event...

Celebration takes the helm; new date sought for Trainers' Show (03/20/09)
The Celebration is one step closer to assuming the HIO duties of the dissolving National Horse Show Committee. "We voted a half an hour ago to proceed forward with this," said Celebration CEO Doyle Meadows at the Noon Rotary Club meeting Thursday, just after the Celebration Board of directors voted to activate SHOW, the Celebration's Horse Industry Organization. Meadows and a committee of directors will meet with the staff of the NHSC on Monday and begin the transition...

'Fall' horse show springs forth (03/20/09)
Don't let the name fool you -- The TQHA Fall Novice Show really is going on this spring weekend -- not this fall. "It was originally in August, and the American Quarter Horse Association won't let you change the name of the show," said Barbara Fisher, coordinator of the event...

NHSC dissolves in favor of SHOW (03/18/09)
The National Horse Show Commission may soon be no more. Rachel Reed, secretary and treasurer for the organization, confirmed Tuesday that the 8-member NHSC board voted Monday to dissolve the organization and to turn its assets and responsibilities over to the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration's Horse Industry Organization, SHOW (Sound horses, Honest judging, Objective inspections, Winning fairly)...

Trainers recommend that NHSC dissolve HIO; Trainers' Show postponed (03/10/09)
The crowd outside Walking Horse Trainers' Association's building Monday was there for a good reason. In an industry that has seen more than its share of conflict and criticism, more controversy is blooming. The WHTA has recommended that the National Horse Show Commission dissolve its Horse Industry Organization and turn its duties over to SHOW (Sound horses, Honest judging, Objective inspections, Winning fairly), the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration's HIO...

Cuddly alpacas return to Shelbyville (03/05/09)
The alpacas are coming. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, these sleepy-eyed South American animals with their Mona Lisa smiles will be taking over Calsonic Arena for the eighth annual Southern Select Alpaca Show. "We have folks come from all over," said Kay Kemp of Stoney Ridge Farm, located on the edge of Bedford County near Petersburg. ...

NHSC reports fewer violations in 2008 (03/02/09)
Walking Horse Advocates recently announced the National Horse Show Commission (NHSC) is moving forward with its commitment to address and correct the problems that have plagued horse training and exhibitions in the past, according to a press release from the organization...

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