Walking horses come from far and wide each summer to participate in national event
By Sherry Phillips
Although the event concluded with controversy and no world grand champion for the first time in its 68-year history, the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration can still hold its head high as the longest continually running event in the state of Tennessee.
Over the years, hundreds of thousands of horse enthusiasts have gathered in Shelbyville for the 11-day event?held just before Labor Day?not only to take part in the world famous horse show, but to spend time with family and friends. The immaculately manicured Celebration Grounds play host to the annual event that showcases a breed that just after the turn of the 20th century evolved from the Morgan, Standardbred, Thoroughbred and American Saddlebred into one of the greatest pleasure, show and trail riding horses. This year, however, organizers called off the tradition of naming a grand champion on the final day after inspectors disqualified the vast majority of the contenders for illegal training practices. The cancellation was the latest chapter in the long-standing debate between trainers and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials on the difference between humane and abusive practices to make the beautiful animals achieve their famous gait. “It’s heartbreaking to make that decision,” said Celebration Chairman John T. Bobo. “But I have no doubt that all sides of this industry will work extremely hard this off-season to rectify the issues that affect it.” The look of a Tennessee Walking Horse is quite distinct from its counterparts. In general, they should have a neat head with small, well-shaped ears and clear alert eyes and a tapered muzzle. They come in all colors and a variety of patterns, but it is their distinctive walk that has made them famous. At the Celebration, and in shows throughout the year, each horse is judged on how it performs the three distinct gaits: the flat foot walk, running walk and canter. The running walk is an inherited, natural gait unique to the breed. A panel of five judges, selected based on their experience and ability with both pleasure and performance horses, judged over 4,500 entries this year. This year nearly a quarter of a million tickets were sold with actual attendance over 150,000, according to Director of Media Relations Chip Walters. Over 4,500 horses registered for competition. “It brings together the most diverse group from all social and economic backgrounds of any sporting event in the world,” Walters said. This year spectators traveled from more than 40 states and several foreign countries to watch the show and visit with friends they may see only once a year. For decades the Averitt family has faithfully traveled from their home in Trenton, Ky., to sit on the fifth row of the nearly 30,000-seat arena. They are among 2,500 patrons who have box seats handed down through the years from generation to generation. Neighboring seat holders come to know their neighbors much like season ticket holders to other major sporting events. They know well the Smiths, who have been sitting next to them for decades. “This box has been in our family for nearly 50 years and I wouldn’t let it go for anything,” said Clarence Smith, who inherited his box from his father. He intends to pass it on to his family. Currently, there is a 13-year waiting list for the six-seat boxes that encircle the show ring. In addition to the familial bonds among attendees, regulars develop followings for the variety of nonprofit organizations that sell food and souvenirs during the event. Each of the more than a dozen food vendors has a specialty, and those who have attended a few of the shows know where to get what their taste buds are seeking. The Shelbyville Band Boosters specialize in novelties such as cotton candy, fried dill pickles and tater twirls while the Kiwanis Club, Rotary and American Legion booths feature more standard fare like chicken fingers, BBQ and French fries. Steeped in tradition, the event has left an indelible mark on the service organizations and the community through tourism and national recognition. “The credit for the continued success of our entries goes to all of the owners, trainers, and exhibitors from across the country that have helped make The Celebration exactly what it is, the World’s Greatest Horse Show,” said Celebration CEO Ron Thomas. “We are delighted and humbled by the number of entries. It is truly a vote of confidence for our breed and its world championship horse show.”