EBONY ' S BLACK LADY...
TWO YEAR OLD FILLY REMINISCENT OF HER WORLD’ S CHAMPION SIRE!
EBONY’ S BLACK LADY is the front runner for Celebration honors for the G. L. L. Farms of Collierville, Tennessee. Trainer, Russell Pate has had this filly pegged as a winner since she was a yearling. BLACK LADY, sired by 1962 World’ s Grand Champion EBONY MASTERPIECE, who is still owned by Billy Hale of Gallatin, Tennessee, and standing at the S. W. Beech Stables in Lewisburg, Tennessee, is considered to be one of the outstanding colts ever to be sired by MASTERPIECE. She has the same size and conformation of her famous sire and her“ way of going” is an excellent representation of the MASTERPIECE gait. Her dam, GRAY GIRL’ S VANITY passed on the proven blood lines of TENNESSEE RAMBLER, which has provided additional worth to this beautiful show horse.
EBONY’ S BLACK LADY was purchased by G. L. L. Farms from S. W. Beech and Billy Hale during the“ Sale of Champions” at the 1963 Celebration and was moved to G. L. L. Stables in November, 1963. A large colt, now standing sixteen hands, BLACK LADY, was started early in the fall by Russell Pate. From the start, Russell has worked this unusual filly with care and finesse. She has been brought along slowly and deliberately, taking full advantage of her natural ability to walk. The best description of this
EBONY’ S BLACK LADY— Russell Pate up. Two year old flag bearer for the GLL Farms Stables of Mr. George Lee Lenox of Collierville. Tennessee.
horse is that she is a“ show mare.” Alert... deliberate... a headshaking horse with a natural“ way of going” and a will to“ go on.” This filly will be a prominent contender for top honors for years to come.
Russell Pate, who is known throughout the Walking Horse World as one of the best two year old trainers in the business, is also one of the most popular young trainers now showing. Twentynine years old, unmarried, and with many years experience for a young man, Russell approaches his profession with much enthusiasm and drive. He is dedicated to his work and loves his job.
Mr. George Lee Lenox, owner of G. L. L. Farms Stables, chose Russell as his trainer after much consideration and deliberation. Together they make a team that is determined to up-grade the Walking Horse business in every way. They are promotion-minded and business-like in all their activities and approach the horse business in a professional manner. Russell Pate was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He was educated in the public schools of Nashville and became interested in Walking Horses at an early age. As his interest grew he decided to become more closely associated with the Walking Horse world and in 1950 went to work for Mr. Auburn Gray in Winchester, Tennessee. Being a newcomer to the horse business, Russell worked to learn all he could from the best in the business. He credits the late Winston Wiser with teaching him a great deal about the breed, training methods and show ring tactics. He says that Mr. Wiser, perhaps more than anyone else, is responsible for his continued interest in Walking Horses and his desire to become a professional trainer.
When he was nineteen years old he moved to Jackson, Tennessee to work for Mr. J. B. Teague and in 1955 moved again to Summerville, Tennessee, where he worked for Mr. Fowler. After six successful years in Summerville, Russell went to Covington, Tennessee to work for Mr. and Mrs. Penn Mohon at their Stables. He stayed here until greener pastures became available and in the fall of 1963 moved to Collierville to take over the reins of G. L. L. Stables. Russell, a shy, unpretentious fellow, takes pride in one thing— his
4 VOICE of The Tennessee Walking Horse