To outsiders it seems a little odd that a small city would boast about being the Walking Horse Capitol of the world, but we do. We will tell you in a second that we are from "Shelbyville, The Home of the Celebration." But to us Shelbyvillians, it's just as much a way of life as football in the fall. It's who we are.
Let me clarify; now, I didn't grow up in a "horse family." Never once have I owned a horse nor would I be able to ride one if I tried, but if you ask me what my favorite animal is, you bet I'd say, "The Tennessee Walking Horse."
Most kids go back to school for two or three months, and then when the leaves start to change, they take off to DisneyWorld or to the coast for fall break. Kids around here don't even know what fall break is because ours happens three weeks into the school year- the infamous, Horse Show Break. Yes, it is so important to us that we feel that our students need to be out of school, given all of our out of town guests and the late nights at the show grounds. Some families do use this time as a vacation opportunity, but most stick around.
The food booths are filled each night with students from different high school teams, clubs, and organizations.The profits made directly benefit our county's students. You know that the best country ham is at the Lions Club Booth; at the Kiwanis Club Booth in the south turn, you'll find the best chicken and cheese. The Shelbyville Central Band Boosters are the only ones that sell tater twirls; you must see the Cascade students for all your popcorn and peanut needs. And most importantly, The Optimist Club out by the barns is home to the one and only, award-winning, mouth-watering horse show donuts. Because have you ever even been to the Celebration if you haven't had the horse show donuts? Once a year, once in a lifetime.
For as long as I can remember the Celebration has been a constant here in Shelbyville. As a little girl, I can remember getting overly excited to get my face painted under the South Grand Stand. Now, we didn't just ask for your normal butterflies and footballs, we wanted horses and horseshoes and the numbers and names of our favorite horses. You knew you had to be on your best behavior if you wanted a glow stick to wave when they turned out the lights for the "Big Championship Classes." It was kinda a BIG deal!
Each year you had to buy the program, mainly because all the numbers and names of the horses, riders, and owners were in there, but in my eyes it was so that you could fill in your own picks for the winners (they have a special spot for that). My Nana, who went to the Horse Show with her father when it was located at Central High School while the show grounds were being built, taught me everything she knows. As I child that knew nothing about horses, I quickly learned when a horse broke gait, what a canter was, and of course the Walking Horse stance (The best one is your winner; you can almost guarantee it.)
Every Celebration faithful knows their Strolling Jim's and I Am Jose's, and they also have a favorite of which they can tell you not only the horse's name but also the rider's name, the call number, and the year. Mine just happens to be The Whole Nine Yards (#9) ridden by Celebration legend, Mr. Bill Bobo, year 2003. It used to be almost like a political campaign or going to a football game, the way that people would stand at the entrance and give out hats and pom poms, and towels with the horse's name on them, in order to solicit your cheers.
The feeling on that first Saturday night of the eleven day event, when you get your first look at World Grand Championship contenders is priceless. With Mr. Larry Bright at the organ and Mr. Mark Farrar calling, "Let 'em walk on. Call on your stallions, and show 'em at a running walk!", it's nothing less than a trademark of the Celebration. The horses know how to put on a show, and so do the riders, as they wait each other out to steal the applause, flaunting their best flat walk to the south turn for line up.
When a World Grand Champion is crowned, it is simply magical. The energy is electric, and the horses feed off of it. That moment, as Saturday slowly gives way to Sunday and the lights go down one last time, spotlight making its way around the ring, is one you'll never forget. A city is unified, and a horse and rider make that World Grand champion ride under the spotlight to receive a horse shoe of roses, blue ribbon, and all the awards that follow. A champion is crowned.
I remember too, the year that there was no show. The night that only three entries made the gate call for the World Grand Championship. Instead of being defeated our great riders and owners decided to take a stand and not show at all. I remember being so disheartened, after looking forward to that night for a whole year. And then I remember hearing the mummer that Bill Bobo and the others were going to Champion's Arena. There would be a show, formally or informally. I have never moved so quickly with my heart keeping right in line with my steps, all to get to Champion's Arena to see the show. There would be no winner, but there would be a show. That is the spirit of the Celebration.
Recently there has been some talk (quite a lot actually) that this is it for the Celebration, that the World Grand Champion that will be crowned Saturday night will be the last one. To outsiders that's no big deal. It won't effect them or probably even cross their minds again. But to us that call the Celebration home, it's simply not an option. There will always be a show.
To the Celebration, I want to thank you for all the memories you've provided for me and for all the many more to come (because there will be more). The Show must go on!
PS: Don't miss out on those Optimist Club Donuts this week!
