There is also a good human interest story behind the negotiations required to buy this horse from his previous owner, Mr. A. S. DEAN of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Mr. Dean, who has raised many top horses including Sun’ s Delight, had reportedly decided not to let this potential World’ s Champion slip away from him for any small sum. The story goes that he had placed a no-bargaining price of $ 75,000.00 on Johnny Midnight and that more than one Walking Horse enthusiast had tried to buy him for less. Assured of Mr. Dean’ s reluctance to take less for this noble steed than the reported price, Mr. Gribble and Mr. Eaton began a bargaining session that lasted for almost a month. Finally, in the wee hours of the morning of January 25th, they were able to work out a purchase agreement that reached the highest figure ever paid for a saddle horse that was not a World’ s Champion. The price, as reported, was $ 60,000.00.
Both Larry Gribble and Thomas Eaton had known Sam Paschal for some time, and on the outset of their efforts to purchase this horse they were also talking with Sam about the prospect of showing him. Sam, who reportedly took a year off in 1964 to rest and concentrate of his new brood mare farm in Murfreesboro, had decided to try once again to get a top horse and try for the " big one.” There were several people trying to get Sam to take their horses for the 1965 season, but when the smoke cleared and all the arrangements were made, Sam ended up with the one horse he really wanted most, the great Johnny Midnight.
Barn talk is cheap, and a person can get as many different opinions regarding a particular horse as there are horses, but when the name Johnny Midnight comes into the conversation all talk takes on a different note. Almost everyone agrees that " here is ahorse that has the makings of a World’ s Champion.” When discussing their personal reasons for wanting Johnny Midnight, both Larry Gribble and Thomas Eaton express their approval in different ways. Larry says, " I think he is the most ideal Walking Horse ever foaled. Everything is perfect.” Mr. Eaton states, " He is simply a model horse. That’ s all there is to it.” Perhaps they are biased in their opinions, but talk with anyone about him and they will all indicate that Johnny Midnight will be a horse to contend with.
Combine the tremendous natural ability of this horse with the well-known training ability of Sam Paschal, and a real threat is in the making. Sam, who doesn’ t mince words when discussing a horse, says, " He is as good as any horse I have ever had at this time ofyear. He is a true three-gaited Walking Horse and, given a little more time to smooth him out and teach him some manners, we should be able to do a pretty good job in the show ring. I was personally surprised at his speed and his willingness to go on once we got collected. I think he was a bit sour when we first got him, but he is getting fat and is full of pep now.” Needless to say, Sam won’ t even guestimate when he will show him first. One thing is certain: when this team hits the show ring, they will be ready!
Owners Thomas E. Eaton, who is in the Real Estate business, and Larry Gribble, who is a Pre- Vet Senior at Middle Tennessee State University, are both active in other areas of the Walking Horse business. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton have nine brood mares, and have two two-year-old studs in training with DON PASCHAL. Larry Gribble, who says he has been involved in some sort of horse business since he was a youngster, has 42 brood mares, including eleven Old Merry Boy mares. Neither has owned what they consider a " top horse” before! Where do they go fromhere? The next five months will revolve around the care, training and promotion of one Johnny Midnight. After that? Probably the retirement of the horse, and his career as a stud. After all... win, lose, or draw, Johnny Midnight is still one of the most outstanding Tennessee Walking Horses ever, and from him will come many of the Champions of the Future.
MURRAY FARM SALE HIGHLIGHTS SPRING ACTIVITY IN WALKING HORSE WORLD
The 1965 Spring Murray Farm Sale, April 29, 30, and May 1, will probably break all records for the Walking Horse breed. In their continued efforts to be of genuine service to the entire Walking Horse Market, owners S. W. BEECH and PETE YOKLEY, who purchased the property and rights to the Murray Farm Sale last year, have made many innovations and changes in the farm grounds that should make the 1965 sale the best ever.
There are more horses by number than ever before. More top horses are scheduled to go on the block( Triple Threat, Go Boy’ s Scooter, Go Boy’ s Millionaire are well worth mentioning) than ever before. Better facilities Eire now available in the way of a new sale tent foundation, new stables and other buildings. All this... plus the generations-old attraction of the famous " sale,” will add to the luster and excitement of the " Nation’ s Oldest Walking Horse Event.”
From coast to coast, Walking Horse enthusiasts will pour into the small town of Lewisburg, Tennessee. Some will come to sell! Many will come to buy! And all will come to be a part of the threeday activity that will see the nation’ s finest stock change hands. From the moment the hammer falls and the first horse enters the big tent to the time that the final horse is sold, itwill be a time to remember for Walking Horse lovers. Be there if you can, and " Let’ s keep Tennessee green... bring money!” See you there!
APRIL, 1965 5