" 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