The 87th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration will take place on August 20th – 30th. Judging this year’s event will be Chris Bobo, Ross Campbell, Robert Cortner, Brent Grider and David Sisk. This judging panel was chosen from a group of 27 SHOW HIO licensed judges who submitted their names for consideration. Each judge was required to hold at least a AAA license with the certified Horse Industry Organization.
David Sisk

David Sisk of Columbia, Tennessee will make his sixth appearance. He previously judged The Celebration in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2021 and 2023. Other shows he judged include Walking in the Smokies, National Trainers’ Show, Fun Show, Celebration Fall Classic, North Carolina Championships, Mississippi Charity, Alabama Jubilee and the Marshall County Horsemen’s Association.

CHRIS BOBO

Chris Bobo resides in Shelbyville, Tennessee and has judged more than 50 shows since 2005. He will make his fifth appearance in center ring. His tenure as a Celebration judge include 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2021. He has judged the Fun Show International, Gulf Coast Charity, Mississippi Charity, Alabama Jubilee and Columbia Spring Jubilee and Christmas in July to name a few.

ROSS CAMPBELL

Ross Campbell of Cullman, Alabama judged The Celebration in 2018 and 2020. This year will make his third adventure marking the cards in center ring. He has judged The Money Tree Classic, FAST Spring Showcase, West Tennessee Strawberry Festival, Columbia Spring Jubilee, Red Carpet Show of the South, Marshall County Horsemen’s Association and Woodbury Lions Club, totaling more than 30 shows since 2009.

BRENT GRIDER

Brent Grider calls Columbia, Kentucky home. This year will mark his third time judging The Celebration where he also judged in 2012 and 2021. Since 2004, Grider has judged over 50 events. Other shows found on his judging resume include the Spring Fun Show, National Trainers’ Show, Columbia Spring Jubilee, North Carolina Championships, Gulf Coast Charity, Kentucky Celebration, Alabama Jubilee and numerous Fourth of July weekend shows.

ROBERT CORTNER

Robert Cortner resides in Winchester, Tennessee and will make his Celebration debut this year. He judged the Fun Show in 2021 and 2025, and the Celebration Fall Classic in 2022. He also previously judged the Columbia Spring Jubilee, National Trainers’ Show, FAST Spring Showcase, Money Tree and Alabama Jubilee.