Shelbyville, TN
Each year fans descend on Shelbyville, Tennessee for the Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration, a southern tradition that showcases the high stepping, smooth riding horses. The eleven-day show takes place at the Calsonic Arena August 24-September 3, 2011. Tradition demands that a snow white Walking Horse carry the American Flag each night into the Calsonic Arena. That horse is currently Counterfeit Dollar with Bud Seaton in the irons.
Over $650,000 in prizes and awards is awarded. Activities during the show include a barn decoration contest, a dog show, and a trade fair. There are also barn parties and cook outs! Hotel rooms may be booked years in advance, and many locals just leave town, renting their houses to the owners, trainers and fans that make their annual pilgrimages to the middle Tennessee town.
At the end of the last class, everyone holds their breath as the lights in the Calsonic Arena are dimmed and a spotlight searches for the winner. One horse will make the ride into the winner’s circle under that spotlight, the new World Grand Champion. In 2010, The Coach and Billy Gray won the coveted title of World Grand Champion.
Dr. Doyle Meadows, chief executive officer of the Celebration, said preliminary entries for the 2011 show number 2,874. Who will win the title in 2011? It’s worth a drive to Shelbyville to see!
Each year fans descend on Shelbyville, Tennessee for the Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration, a southern tradition that showcases the high stepping, smooth riding horses. The eleven-day show takes place at the Calsonic Arena August 24-September 3, 2011. Tradition demands that a snow white Walking Horse carry the American Flag each night into the Calsonic Arena. That horse is currently Counterfeit Dollar with Bud Seaton in the irons.
Over $650,000 in prizes and awards is awarded. Activities during the show include a barn decoration contest, a dog show, and a trade fair. There are also barn parties and cook outs! Hotel rooms may be booked years in advance, and many locals just leave town, renting their houses to the owners, trainers and fans that make their annual pilgrimages to the middle Tennessee town.
At the end of the last class, everyone holds their breath as the lights in the Calsonic Arena are dimmed and a spotlight searches for the winner. One horse will make the ride into the winner’s circle under that spotlight, the new World Grand Champion. In 2010, The Coach and Billy Gray won the coveted title of World Grand Champion.
Dr. Doyle Meadows, chief executive officer of the Celebration, said preliminary entries for the 2011 show number 2,874. Who will win the title in 2011? It’s worth a drive to Shelbyville to see!
