Cooper Steel Arena

08/11/2026

08/04/2026

Celebration Entries Climb to Highest Total in More Than a Decade
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. — The 88th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration has surpassed 2,500 entries for this year’s show, signaling continued momentum for the industry's premier event.
The 2026 Celebration will begin Aug. 26 and conclude on Saturday, Sept. 5, with the crowning of the 88th Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Champion.
Despite the show being held later on the calendar than usual, exhibitors responded with strong support. The final entry total reached 2,587, the highest in more than 10 years. Entries closed July 28, with a late-entry deadline of Aug. 4.The 2,582 entries are more than 100 more than last year, a 4% increase.
"Seeing the highest number of entries since I became CEO six years ago is incredibly encouraging and speaks to the momentum we continue to build at The Celebration," said Celebration CEO Warren Wells. "It's also the largest entry total we've seen in many years, which is a testament to the confidence our owners, trainers, exhibitors and breeders have in this event and in the future of our industry."
The show also reached the important benchmark of over 1,300 unique horses entered, rebounding after falling just short of that mark in 2025.
"While we're proud of these numbers, we're even more excited about what they represent — a growing enthusiasm for the Tennessee Walking Horse and a renewed commitment to making The Celebration the premier showcase for our breed," Wells said. "We can't wait to welcome everyone to Shelbyville for what promises to be an outstanding Celebration."
The strong entry totals resulted in 11 classes being split, consistent with recent years. The Two-Year-Old Stallions class on Monday evening is the only class that will be divided into three sections. Ten additional classes will feature A and B divisions, including the Amateur Owned and Trained class, which debuts a World Grand Championship this year.
Another new feature for the 2026 Celebration is the scheduling of the World Grand Championship classes. Championship competition will begin during the second half of the Wednesday, Sept. 2, evening session before culminating on Saturday night with the selection of the 88th Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Champion.
Qualifying for the World Grand Championship will once again take place on the first Saturday evening in A and B divisions. For the first time in modern Celebration history, the last two Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Champions are both entered to compete for the sport's highest honor.
The complete list of entries in the World Grand Championship qualifying classes is below.
Class 102A – Walking Stallions, Five Years & Over (Canter)
• The Iron Door
• Honor's Tee Time
• Big Henry
• Charles Lindbergh 4G
• H***y Tonk
• Cavender
• Spotlight on Jose 4G
• He's Pushin The Dollar
• Jura THF
Class 102B – Walking Stallions, Five Years & Over (Canter)
• I'm Choobacca
• Wilhelm
• 8 Mile SWF
• Ohtani
• Justified Honors
• My Addiction
• A Mighty Gin
• No Apology
• Jose's Lovin Man
• The Greatest Showman

08/04/2026

🐴 ARE YOU SEEING THE SIGNS? 👀

Walking Horse Country is showing up all across Bedford County! Look for new signs, billboards, and branding throughout our community—helping visitors discover where to shop, dine, explore, and stay.

Be a tourist in your own hometown. Support local businesses, explore something new, and invite your friends and family to experience everything Bedford County has to offer!

📍 Visit WalkingHorseCountry.com

Share our story. Be a voice for Walking Horse Country!

07/16/2026

Every tradition has an origin story.
This one began with a conversation.
within the walls of Cooper Steel Arena, where imagination quietly asked a simple question…

“What if Bedford County didn’t have to leave home to experience all the wonder of Christmas?”

What if, for six amazing weeks, families could step into a place where everyday life paused? Where children discovered the joy of gliding across an indoor ice rink for the very first time. Where dazzling lights transformed ordinary spaces into extraordinary memories.

That single conversation became a vision.

A vision that begins inside Cooper Steel Arena, transformed into a whimsical indoor winter escape filled with twinkling lights, immersive experiences, and a spectacular ice skating rink.

Then the journey continues.

Out into The Celebration Grounds, where wonder spills beyond the arena into a holiday village alive with Polar Express train rides, beautifully illuminated Celebration Barns, a glowing Pixel Tunnel, Family Fun Zones, interactive games, mini golf, community performances, school showcases, seasonal treats, and moments waiting to become family traditions.

This is more than a holiday event.
It’s the beginning of a new tradition.

Presented by Bridge Bedford, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening quality of life through creative placemaking, community engagement, and experiences that bring people together.

How fitting that this story unfolds at The Celebration Grounds, a place where generations have gathered around the heritage of the Tennessee Walking Horse. A place already rich with tradition, now preparing to welcome another.

One legacy isn’t replacing another.
It’s growing beside it.

From November 21 through January 2nd, the spirit of celebration expands beyond the show ring into a season of light, laughter, and togetherness.

A new chapter is being written for Bedford County.

A journey is beginning.
And years from now, we hope families will smile and say,

“We were there the very first year.”

Walking in a Winter Wonderland
November 21 – January 2
The Celebration Grounds
Presented by Bridge Bedford

Visit the link in the comments to see more

07/09/2026

We are so excited!

Some entrances ask you to walk through them.
Others ask you to feel something.

Passing beneath these arches has never felt like crossing a property line.
It feels like passing through history.

Like stepping beneath nearly a century of stories suspended between steel and sky.

Look closely.
The arches aren’t simply silhouetted against the afternoon.

They’re framed by light.

Sunbeams spill through the clouds as if heaven itself paused for a moment, reminding us that some places become sacred not because of what they’re made from… but because of what generations have carried beneath them.

Victories.
Traditions.
Family reunions.
First visits.
Last rides.

Countless moments that became memories before anyone realized they would.

Yesterday, we stood beneath these arches imagining another kind of arrival.

What if the first glimpse of Walking in a Winter Wonderland…where Cooper Steel Arena is transformed into an immersive indoor holiday experience featuring an ice skating rink, dazzling lights, and festive attractions, while the Celebration Grounds come alive with twinkling Christmas lights, family activities, live performances and moments designed to create lasting memories, didn’t begin once you stepped inside?

What if it began here?

Because wonder has a way of beginning long before the destination.
Sometimes…it begins the moment you pass beneath an arch, look up toward the light, and realize you’re entering a place that has been welcoming hearts for generations.

And perhaps this Christmas…

it will welcome thousands more.

06/29/2026

Tonight at Cooper Steel Arena!

🚨 IT'S SPLIT DAY! 🚨

After months of anticipation, sponsorship announcements, entry reveals, podcasts, split draws, and countless conversations... today is finally the day.

Fifty-one incredible young performance horses will make their first trip through the ring in the inaugural edition of The Prodigy, and by the end of the night we'll know the first finalists who will return Friday night to compete for the championship.

Now it's your turn...

👇 Who are YOU cheering for? 👇

Drop the horse's name, trainer, rider, or back number in the comments and let's fill this post with support for these outstanding horses and the people behind them!

We've attached the official split sheet so you can find your favorites before the first horse enters the ring.

Whether you're watching from the stands or tuning in from home, today is a day this industry has been waiting for.

Let's make some noise for these talented young horses as they begin what we hope are incredible careers!

🏆 Good luck to every owner, trainer, rider, breeder, and supporter.

06/18/2026

We are having so much fun with the All American Youth Barrel Race in town. Expecting around 800 horses this week and some of the best young racers in the country. The show grounds are hopping! And Grindstone Cowboy Express is open this week on the Celebration grounds so come out and see the action and grab some great food and drink.

06/16/2026

Looking for a change of scenery this week? Come spend the day at the Celebration Showgrounds and still enjoy your favorite Grindstone Cowboy coffee, food, smoothies, and frappes! ☕🤠

Starting today through June 21, our Grindstone Cowboy Express is serving up all your favorites right at the Youth Barrel Race. Whether you’re competing, cheering from the stands, or just looking for something fun to do, we’ve got you covered.

📍 Celebration Showgrounds
📅 June 16–21
⏰ 8 AM – 6 PM
✅ Open to the Public

Come grab breakfast, lunch, an iced coffee, smoothie, or frappe and enjoy a great week at the showgrounds. We can’t wait to see you! MurfreesboroTN BarrelRacing GrindstoneCowboyExpress ☕🐎🤠

06/11/2026

✨ Get your tickets today for Stars & Stirrups! ✨

Join us for a magical evening on the Shelbyville Square, enjoying dinner under the stars on the grounds of the beautiful Riverview District.

Enjoy an unforgettable night featuring dinner by Glass Hollow Table & Tavern and cash bar service by Grindstone Cowboy Shelbyville.

Come celebrate and show your support for the Tennessee Walking Horse industry — an industry deeply woven into the history and identity of Bedford County. For generations, it has supported local families, created opportunities, welcomed visitors, and brought tourism and economic impact to our community.

Funds raised support FAST, Inc., an organization that has worked diligently for more than 10 years to preserve, protect, and advocate for the Tennessee Walking Show Horse.

The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce is proud to be part of such a special evening celebrating an industry, tradition, and legacy that continues to make an impact on our community.

Be part of preserving a tradition that means so much to Bedford County. Support the mission by purchasing your ticket today.

Together, we continue protecting the legacy and future of the Tennessee Walking Horse. 🐴✨