PURCHASE TICKETS, ONLINE AUCTIONS, and MORE DETAILS HERE: https://twhbea.com/stars
Four of the leading organizations in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry – The Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse (FAST), Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA), Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration (TWHNC), and the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association (WHTA) – are proud to present an unforgettable evening under the stars: Stars and Stirrups, to be held Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the legendary “Big Oval” at the Celebration Grounds in Shelbyville.
Held in the same show ring where World Grand Champions have been crowned for decades, Stars and Stirrups promises to be an evening filled with fun, food, music, and fundraising. The event theme, “Celebrating Our Legacy. Funding Our Future,” reflects its dual purpose: honoring the history of the breed while raising critical funds to support and promote its future through the industry’s legal fund.
One of the evening’s highlights will be the participation of celebrity waiters, including many of the industry’s top trainers and personalities. Attendees who purchase tables or individual tickets by June 25 will be eligible to bid on the celebrity waiter of their choice to serve their table. Bidding will run online from June 26-30. Confirmed celebrity waiters include Jennifer Barr, Spencer Benedict, Knox Blackburn, Tanner Burks, Thomas Derickson, Winky Groover, RM Kellett, Jimmy McConnell, Thom Meek, Hannah Myatt, Reggie Newsome, Shane Shiflet, Tim Smith, Dan Waddell, Warren Wells, Cody Woodford, Woody Woodruff Sr., and Bill Young. The waiters will work extra hard during the event to earn tips for the FAST legal fund. The waiter who earns the most tips will enjoy a three-night vacation in Panama City Beach courtesy of Sister Milligan.
Adding to the excitement, all living World Grand Champions are being invited to attend. They will greet guests as they make their entrance through the iconic chute into center ring and will gather earlier in the evening for a historic group photo on the grass in center ring, an image that will later be auctioned as one of the night’s most exclusive live items.
Entertainment will be provided by Jordyn Mallory + Nashville Hit Machine, generously sponsored by the Molly Walters family. The evening’s meal will be catered by Rowdy Ranch, featuring premium entrées like prime aged Certified Angus ribeyes, hickory-smoked pork tenderloin, and Hawaiian grilled chicken, alongside a full spread of Southern sides and desserts. Guests will enjoy an open bar, with food and drink included in all ticket and table prices.
- Table Sponsorships are $1,000 and include seating, dinner, and drinks for 8 guests.
- Individual Tickets are $125 per person for general seating (first come first served) and include dinner and drinks.
Tickets and tables may be purchased online at https://fastwh.org/stars-and-stirrups/, or by calling Dee Cantrell at (706) 366-1011, Thom Meek at (615) 426-6199, or the TWHBEA office at (931) 359-1574.
In addition to the celebrity waiter auction, the night will feature a live auction of select items including a custom golf cart and the autographed WGC group photo. An online auction will also be held preceding the event with everything from stud fees to vacations and memorabilia. All proceeds from the evening will go to the FAST Legal Fund, supporting initiatives to protect the Tennessee Walking Show Horse.
Join us on July 1 for a celebration unlike any other, where stars of the past and present come together to secure the future of our beloved breed.
MORE DETAILED EVENT INFORMATION here: https://twhbea.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Stars-and-Stirrups-Event-Details.pdf
