ing race . The sun beat down mercilessly . The coarse had been terrifically difficult , up and down hill . Most of the contestants had dropped by the wayside after the first few miles . Word had been relayed back to the grandstand as the race progressed as to who had dropped out , and positions of those remaining in the race , but for the last ten minutes or so there had been no word . And now , here was Peterthe favorite , entering in the lead . But , one glance and one could see the race had taken its toll . Here was a man showing complete exhaustion . He wove from side tr side , staggering onward , in a caricature of a jog trot , actually traveling no faster than a baby taking its first steps could walk . He was covering twice the distance necessary with his uncontrolled staggering pace . Only the presence of spectators at the sides of the track seemed to guide him . He was pressing forward , but like a blind man . And then he fell . A great sigh passed over the crowd . It was over . But no , he was struggling to get on his feet again . He waved off help . By the rules , he had to do it on his own . He made it . And up went a great cheer . Onward he came , slowly , painfully . He was approaching the end of the grandstand when he went dowr again , and regained his feet only to take a few steps and fall again . Three times he tried to stand . Three times he failed . And then , he started to CRAWL toward that finish line . — It seemed an eternity , but finally he crossed the wide front line in front of the grandstand and a mighty roar went up from the crowd . And Peters collapsed in the arms of his friend , the miler , Roger Bannister . Thir man was a true Champion if ever there was one . He had given his ALL , and he had come in first . Only later we learned that the line he had crossed was not the finish line for that particular race . It was another one only some ten feet ahead !
No one ever deserved a gold medal more than Peters . Yet , he uld be the first to deny he she 1 have received it . Because rules are necessary for any game , and rules are no good unless they are observed . In this instance , as in any sport , the loser , under unusual circustances , is not the “ loser ” at all . With his superb display of courage and sportsmanship , a champion wins , in the eyes a hearts of the spectators . Today , J can ’ t remember who won the gold medal in that race . He certainly was entitled to it . But , the distance run of the 1954 British Empire Games brings only one picture to my mind , that of a proud runner , brought to his knees , and then finally crawling toward victory , the epitome of British courage .
These two instances , while they show the exception to the rules , help point out the necessity for rules . It ’ s necessary to have a standard , a goal to reach , that each can work on and strive toward . It isn ’ t easy to climb a mountain , but the first thing you do is set your eyes on the goal and work toward it . It isn ’ t easy to climb a mountain only to find when you think you ’ ve at last reached the top that there ’ s another jagged cliff towering above . But , if you don ’ t get up that last jagged cliff , you haven ’ t quite climbed the mountain , have you ? And , it ’ s because not many can make it to the top that the challenge to reach the pinnacle is so great . — The same mountain , with a chair lift for thousands of people to reach the summit while sitting admiring the view , with a hot dog stand at the top , isn ’ t the same mountain at all .
We can make show rules suitable for each individual show , so the horses in each little community will have a good opportunity to win before the home crowd . Or we can get together , with representatives from all over the country and decide on definite , specific , well defined show rules for all our Tennessee Walking Horse pleasure classes . A good start has been made . Committees in California , Oregon , and Washington are actively working on the subject . It is important they get together , and help give us a National standard . For the most part , our judges are doing a good job . But they need more specific , uniform rules , and must be ever on the alert for infringement of rules .
And now we come to a “ Sore ” Subject . The first show of this season in our part of the country saw a “ sore ” horse who quite probably won the Blue with his performance , marked out of the ribbons entirely because of “ soreness .” This happened at a few other shows during the season . But , sad to say , there are still sore horses in there working , and some are being placed in the ribbons . When disinterested spectators from an audience walk around after the show to look at the beautiful winner and see a horse standing on three legs with one that “ looks like hamburger ,” they wonder if that has to be done to all Walkers to make them show like they do . And , I ’ ve heard the remark , “ If that ’ s necessary , I don ’ t want to see any more Walking Horse Stake classes . A bull fight is humane in comparison !”
This “ soreness ’ thing is really a sore spot . It must be stopped . And the only way to stop it is to stop it for EVERYBODY . No exceptions . No excuses . It is important , and we ’ U keep hammering away at it . What is fair for one , is fair for all . What ’ s unfair for one is unfair for all . The penalties for infractions of rulds should be severe enough , and enforced without fail , or the rules themselves may come to mean nothing at all . Even more , every one working , training , or riding a horse should make himself , or herself , a committee of one to see this is done . Don ’ t pass the responsibility onto the Judge . Just see to it no horse of your enters the ring sore , or anywhere near sore . Sure , “ you ’ ll do it if the other fellow would .” Well , he ’ s just waiting for you to do it first . Our judges have shown they are becoming more aware of this problem . This year they ’ re given some “ warnings .” Next year they may pass out a few more “ tickets .” “ Warning ” time is over .
So , a Happy New Year to you ! And may all the soreness around your barn be in your own seat , which more riding , a hot bath , one of the “ buffered products ,” or vour own special pet cure , may eliminate in “ the wink of an eye .”
JANUARY , 1965 45