You can see why , though , for not only do the Howells have real good horses but they also have 3 lovely ladies , Peggy , Mary , and Linda Howell , who serve as riders , trainers , and grooms .
Mary , the oldest of the sisters , has made many terrific shows on her 4 year old blue roan stallion by the name of MIDNIGHT ROAN .
Peggy seems to enjoy running away with the blue ribbons in the mare class on her 4 year old mare , SETTING SUN ’ S SUNBEAM .
Linda , although usually on a 3 gaited horse , especially likes showing a beautiful little black juvenile horse .
J . S . Howell , the father of these young ladies and the owner of Halacre Farms , trains and shows JUNE ’ S MERRY BOY , a beautiful big bay stallion who continually insists on winning stake classes . MERRY BOY is owned by Jim Howell of Englewood .
Now it is “ whoa time ” until next month .
Send your stable news to me and if , by chance you see me at the Celebration stop by and say “ howdy .”
PROBLEMS OF PLEASURE CLASSES by Richard N . Leamon Sacramento , California
The “ show ” Tennessee Walking Horse has established it ’ s requirments and exhibitors are sure of what is expected of them when they enter the ring . The biggest problem in showing pleasure horses , however , lies in the fact that there are three distinct types and three distinct ways which they should be shown and judged . Usually two or more of these types are shown together and it is nearly impossible to judge them fairly .
Until I moved to Sacramento , California two years ago , I had never seen or participated in a pleasure class . What seemed to me to be an elementary class , I later learned is quite complex . The three types of pleasure horse classifications have been developed in California in an effort to be as fair as possible to most owners . They are : Show-park , Plantation , and Western .
Show-park means a very good pleasure horse . Possibly it is a veteran show horse or a well bred and thoroughly trained pleasure horse . He is shown without artificial appliances but his good conformation and training make him pleasing to watch .
The Plantation type usually belongs to riders who like to trail ride . It is usually amateur trained and in most cases has very little animation .
Western refers mainly to tack , although many like to use the regulation bridle and bit . Horses are usually ridden with one hand holding the reins and other forms of western equitation .
In southern California , the Showpark type is allowed to have long hoofs , use bands and carry heavy shoes . A couple of exhibitors in Stockton would rather have the horses plain shod cut but be allowed to use boots when showing . In Sacramento all types of pleasure horses are shod plain with a light pad permitted . In the Sacramento region , pleasure horses have a very good circuit of shows . They fill the classes well and show the public a different aspect of the breed other than the show horse . The Sacramento association was organized in late 1962 . In 1963 they started putting on “ Playdays .” These were mainly engineered by Mrs . Helen Porter . Because of her enthusiasm and interest , she was able to generate a tremendous amount of interest from the local people .
When the playdays first started , most riders had no experience and the horses showed little training . The playdays provided a means for everyone to learn and give green horses experience before going to shows where they would be before the public . By the fifth and last playday of the year , some riders had progressed to an outstanding degree . They had learned to groom their horses and themselves , learned show ring manners , decorum and showmanship . Because of the interest stimulated last year , the show schedule has been so busy that there has been no time for a playday yet this year . The club is now strong enough so it can travel almost as a body to outlying towns and cities and win new friends to the breed . Recently many of the members went to Concord , California for a show where Walking Horse classes were being offered for the first time . One of the members , Dr . Harrington , assisted the announcer and described the traits and history of the breed .
Still , the Sacramento people have not solved all of the problems . Show-park and Plantation types show together most of the time in Walking Horse English pleasure classes . The Plantation type has little chance . However , if the class were to be divided , the classes would be too small .
Another problem lies in judges and judging . More often than not , the Walking Horse is shown before Quarterhorse , Jumper and American Saddlebred judges . There seems to be an instinctive tendency to judge pleasure horses as if they were “ sportmodel ” show horses . A pleasure horse is supposed to be judged for true trail qualities and easy handling . Excessive speed is supposed to be penalized . In general , the judges seem to be aware of the rules because they ask the show horses to remove a boot and ask the pleasure horses to back a few steps . In actual practice , though , the horse with a little more action and lick will win . Some of the Plantation horses that can cover twenty or thirty miles in a day ’ s ride don ’ t get a chance to warm up before the class is over . People will show only so long to support the breed . Each type deserves a fair chance .
Pleasure classes are starting out new in many areas and may run into the same problems as confronted the Sacramentans . Practice shows , such as playdays , are a proven way to stimulate interest and learn showing skills . All pleasure horses become “ show ” horses when they enter an organized class in any show . The gallery will either be impressed or unmoved by such exhibitions . The better each horse and rider is prepared for the class , the better image our breed will enjoy . It is our chance to uphold the claim of having the “ World ’ s Greatest Pleasure Horse .”
52 VOICE of Tiie Tennessee Walking Horse