ANTICIPATION FILLS the air like the smell of donuts, onion rings, and smoked brisket. As the gate opens, a hush falls over the crowd. A snow-white Tennessee walking horse carrying a rider adorned in a navy blue suit coat and trousers enters the arena. The American flag he holds billows in the wind. Metal chairs clatter against the concrete as everyone stands. Men and women of every age remove their caps and press them to their chests as a local pastor prays for God’s protection over each horse and rider. Soon, the heart-rending notes of “The Star-Spangled Banner” fade into the humidity of August, and organist J. Brantley livens up the somber crowd with a peppy rendition of “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
This traditional opening ceremony of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration (TWHNC) is as familiar to Lisa Turner as a leather saddle is to a Tennessee walking horse trainer. Turner’s father, Bailey Little, joined the TWHNC Association in 1975. After serving on the board from 1992 to 2007 — two of those years as chairman — he was inducted into the TWHNC Hall of Fame in February 2008.
“My dad has always been an unbelievable role model to me and my sister, as well as to our families,” said Turner. “I also believe he is a role model to everyone who knows him, whether they are friends, former colleagues, or just anyone that he meets. He loves his family, his church, and his community. He has served in leadership roles on the boards of many organizations, but I think he enjoyed his time with the Celebration the most.”
After her father’s tenure with the TWHNC ended, Turner took the reins from her father, and in November 2019, the board asked her to serve. According to her parents, she attended her first TWHNC when she was only 9 months old. Since she was 4, she’d attended regularly with her family. Before she graduated from Shelbyville Central High School in 1979, she’d even worked in the concession stand selling cheesy fries and potato wedges for several clubs and sports teams. During her time working as the city treasurer for Shelbyville, she witnessed firsthand how it boosts our local economy. So Turner was honored — and still is honored — to be the first female to serve on the board.
“I knew the honor came with a lot of responsibilities since my father was a board member for 15 years, but I inherited his love of everything about the Celebration, so the answer was an easy ‘yes,’” said Turner.
Turner’s experiences provide her with unique insight.
“My time as city treasurer in the late 1980s and early 1990s showed me the economic importance of the 10-day show to our community — which has now expanded to 11 days. I don’t think most people realize the amount of money that is generated through sales tax and occupancy taxes in the weeks before, during, and after the Celebration, and throughout the year with other shows held on the Celebration grounds. Visitors are shopping at our stores and eating at our restaurants.
“Many locals rent their homes to visitors and are able to take vacations. Horse owners are purchasing property in Bedford County and paying property taxes. The list goes on and on. Plus, there are the lifelong friendships and relationships that have occurred because of the wonderful people that own, train, and ride walking horses that come to our community each year. Many of them consider Shelbyville and Bedford County their second home.”
Everywhere she goes, Turner promotes the TWHNC and shares upcoming events at the newly renovated Cooper Steel Arena (formerly Calsonic Arena).
“Cooper Steel’s commitment to family and the community makes them the perfect corporate sponsor for the arena naming rights. Their vision aligns with the vision of the Celebration board to make the arena one of the top indoor facilities in the country. The improvements to the arena will draw various types of events to our community throughout the year and help promote our town to people nationwide.”
Turner is a native of Bedford County who only left to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
“I love my community and want to work hard in any way I can to make this a place where our children and grandchildren will want to stay and raise their own families. The Celebration is one of the greatest assets we have. I am honored to help it be a part of making Shelbyville and Bedford County such a wonderful place to live.” GN
