1965-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1965 April Voice | Page 32

PROFESSIONAL WALKING HORSE TRAINERS ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHED If all other professional and semi-professional groups that are banded together in a common endeavor can benefit from a'fra­ ternity’ or 'society’. . .then why not the Professional Walking Horse Trainers? This was the question pondered by GEORGE LEE LENOX after only a few years in the business. After much consideration and discussion with people involved in all areas of Walking Horse activity, it eventually became apparent that not only was there an inter­ est in such an organization but that there was a genuine need for it. There were, of course, many problems to overcome in the es­ tablishment of such an organiza­ tion. Someone had to spearhead the initial movement. It had to have plausible identification and it had to have charter members. It must also be organized so that all intents and purposes were clearly understood and so that no faction or parties active in other areas of the business could take issue with it. This, needless to say, was a major undertaking, but at long last the finalization of the organization was complete and it is now officially chartered. The name? "The Loyal Order of Carbon Copy”! Keeping in mind the individual directly in­ volved in the organization of this association, what better name could be used to identify the charter association than the cur­ rent World’s Grand Champion Walking Horse? Having arrived at this conclusion, a program was launched to selecttwenty charter members. Taking into consideration the "purposes of the association,” a group of professional Walking Horse trainers were approached and eventually a final selection was made. These men, in the minds of the organization’s origi­ nators, represented some of the most outstanding stables and Walking Horse training oper­ ations in the nation. They are 32 quick to point out that many others were also considered, but that a Charter Member list of twenty was decided upon and it had to be held to this number. Specifically, the "purposes of this Association are as follows:” (a) To encourage and practice careful matings of selected mares to Stallions character­ istic of the Standard of the Walking Horse Breed. (b) To breed, select, train, and show only those individuals with natural ability. (c) To encourage the use of Walking Horses for pleasure and utility purposes. (d) To promote the Walking Horse to the general public, so as to attract new owners at an ever increasing rate. (e) To encourage and practice honesty and integrity in all business transactions involv­ ing Walking Horses. (f) To uphold the highest de­ gree of honesty, impartiality, and skill in the judging of Walking Horse classes. (g) To build a public image of the Walking Horse trainer as a Professional Man of the highest degree of Skill and Ethics. It is our understanding that the "Loyal Order of Carbon Copy” is open to new members by vote of the membership and that many others have already expressed an interest in joining. It was also pointed out that membership is limi ted to such "Walking Horse owners, trainers and other indi­ viduals as elected or designated by the council who have evi­ denced a true intent to comply with and further the purposes of this Association” and that "Any member ceasing to fulfill the ne­ cessary qualifications and pur­ poses of membership may be dropped from the role of the membership by the council.” A recent election of initial offi­ cers produced the following re­ sults: RUSSELL PATE, Presi­ dent, and JOE WEBB, Vice President. Council Members will be elected at the next regular meeting of the new association. CHARTER MEMBERS Loyal Order of CARBON COPY PROFESSIONAL WALKING HORSE TRAINERS (1) JIM BABB - A professional trainer who really loves his work, Jim Babb is in the Walking Horse business by choice. With many years’ experience as a trainer, Jim selected a portion of the country which is "wide open” for development as a Walking Horse market. Currently work­ ing out of his own stable in Car­ thage, Missouri, Jim reportedly sold over 65 horses last year. Jim Babb is regarded as a good judge by other trainers, and has tied some big shows. He lives with his family in Carthage, Missouri. (2) CHARLIE BOBO - A long­ time professional trainer, Char­ lie is considered one of the best. He has worked in many stables and has been at his current lo­ cation in Thomasville, North Carolina for several years. A popular figure in the Walking Horse business, Charlie Bobo is considered the "Dean of Walk­ ing Horse Judges.” He has judg­ ed the Celebration, including the 1964 show, as well as many other top shows in the nation. He lives with his family in Thomasville. (3) WALLACE BRANDON - A native Tennessean, Wallace moved to Texas in 1961 to take over the training duties of anew stable near Dallas. He has been well-known in Walking Horse cir­ cles for many years and has been very successful with Ama­ teur and Juvenile horses. Wal­ lace is an excellent judge and a competent trainer. He lives with his wife and children in Lewis- burg, Texas. (4) BILLY BRANTLEY - Born and raised in Middle Tennessee, Billy became full-time trainer after working with Sam Paschal for several years, and is now trainer for Battleground Stables, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia (just outside Chattanooga). Winner of (Continued on page 44) VOICE of The Tennessee Walking Horse