" FROM EAST TENNESSEE "
By JUNE RIGGS P. O. Box 168 Athens, Tennessee
Since the Voice this month is featuring the juvenile riders, my column also features the juvenile riders.
Many trainers and enthusiasts believe the juveniles to be the heart of the horse show world. Without these“ kids” just how many fathers would own a Walking Horse? Without these young amateurs, who would grow up to be the trainers of tomorrow? Not only do these junior exhibitors ride beautiful mounts they also ride some very fine stock.
In East Tennessee alone there is a large number of juvenile riders, several of which have done very well in past Celebrations and will continue to do so in the future. Debby Pollard, 18 year old Knoxvillian with long black hair who wears a gold coat, looks like a ' dream come true” atop her sorrel mare, DREAM AT MIDNIGHT. This team has been winning blue ribbons all through East Tennessee and placed third in the 1964 Celebration.
Debby is a freshman at Tennessee Wesleyan College and is majoring in education.
Virginia Ray, 16 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. L. Ray of Nicklin Drive in Chattanooga has been doing a fine job of piloting GENIUS to many blue ribbons. GENIUS is a 15 year old bay gelding. Ginny was born December 13, 1947. She is now a senior at Tyner High School in Chattanooga. She will be a freshman at Middle Tennessee State University next fall where we will be roommates. Ginny plans to be a
vet. From Rockwood comes a little
blonde who can really make a hoss do what should come naturally. Her name is Leann McCluen, and she rides a mare named ROSE FOREVER.“ Rose” is kept at Evans Stables in Athens, Tennessee, and is trained by Kenny Dickson. She is a senior at Rockwood High School and plays french horn in the high school band.
Sue Elder, 16 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Elder of Athens, was quite an eye-opener when she rode into the ring on the gray wonder, STERLING SILVER B. Although Sue has sold“ B” she will always be remembered in her light blue suit atop this beautiful silver gelding. Sue is a junior at McMinn County High School.
A newcomer to the Walking Horse business is Camille Whittle of Etowah. Camille, who is a very capable rider, continues to drive her 12 year old black gelding, HIGH HOPE, to the making of many good shows this season. Camille is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. H. P. Whittle of Etowah and is a freshman at Etowah High School.
Another rider from Etowah who is always a big threat for the blue ribbon is Chucky Isbell. You might say that Chucky is the veteran of the juvenile class because he has been riding in it for quite a while. Chucky started his winning streak several years ago on a bay gelding named SYCAMORE’ S PRIDE. As competition increased Chucky’ s dad, Clarence Isbell, bought AL LEN’ S BIG SHOT. Chucky continued to win on both horses. A couple of years ago SYCAMORE’ S PRIDE was sold to Dr. Bill Lee of Ducktown for his daughter Linda to ride in pleasure walking classes.
In the 1963 Celebration Chucky placed third in the Juvenile rider 12 and under class on BIG SHOT. Chucky is a freshman at Etowah High School.
Competition comes from Ducktown in the neat package of Linda Lee and SYCAMORE’ S PRIDE. Linda and SYCAMORE have proven to be the team to beat in many pleasure Walking Horse classes. Linda is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Bill Lee. She is 17 and a senior at Copper Basin High School.
When Debbie Deihl comes down from Johnson City she brings some real good juvenile stock.
Debbie is a great gal and everyone looks forward to seeing her but we sure don’ t look forward to showing against her. Debbie placed real high in the pony classes at the Celebration in 1962 and 1963 on her beautiful black mare, GO BOY’ S BLACK ANGEL. I hear that Angel is in foal now. Debbie is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Deihl and is a senior in high school.
I hope next year that the juvenile classes will be even bigger and better than ever. Not only does the young boy or girl learn equitation and showmanship but they learn the more important essentials of sportsmanship. They meet other young people with one main interest in general— horses.
Many adults feel that until their son or daughters became interested in showing horses they were worried about how to keep them off the streets on Saturday nights.
Horse shows help the“ younger set” learn to co-operate with others, help others and have good, clean fun.
I hope to see you at the horse shows next year. June Riggs Box 168 Athens, Tennessee
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26 VOICE of The Tennessee Walking Horse