As a regular article , “ Remember Back When ” has been received for the past year with relish and delight . We have been fortunate enough to have readily available sources of background material for this article and have presented some most interesting stories that serve to point out the great strides that have been made with this breed over the years . As a contribution to this issue , however , we wish to present a “ feature ” story that should serve to stir the imagination of Tennessee Walking Horse lovers everywhere . This story first appeared in the old “ Nashville Banner Magazine ” in 1935 . It was written by Ridley Wills and is a most concise outline on the early days of the breed and the “ gentlemen farmers ” who were most dedicated to the advancement of “ this horse from Tennessee .”
the Plantation Horse
Academic people who prank with logic probably would declare that any Tennessee horse when walking is a Tennessee horse . That just shows what logic will do to you if you don ’ t watch it pretty carefully . A Tennessee Walking Horse , or , if you prefer , a Plantation Walking Horse , is something entirely itself , and its identity is just about to be established for the records .
If you have ever been to a Middle Tennessee horse show you are bound to have seen the plantation classes in action . You are bound to have seen handsome mounts , showing breeding in every line , walking with a peculiar pushing stride , nodding their heads as they exhibited their talents in the show ring . These Tennessee Walking Horses are really well bred . They have definite characteristics not found anywhere except in Tennessee in a class of horses . Individual examples of this stock may be found in other states , but here in Tennessee plantation horses have been cultured along lines entitling them to recognition as a class . And they are about to get that recognition .
The Walking Horse Breeders ' Association
Two weeks ago a group of men met at Travelers ’ Rest , the farm of J . M . Dickinson , a few miles from Nashville on Franklin Road . These men , most of them from Middle Tennessee counties , are members of “ The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders ’ Association of America .” This association , organized this year , has its purpose thus described in the by-laws : “ The object of this association shall be to collect , record and preserve the pedigrees of the strain of horses known as Tennessee Walking Horses , wherever located ; and the publication of a register or Stud Book in such a form as shall be adopted by the association , and such other matters pertaining to the breeding , exhibiting and sale of horses known as Tennessee Walking Horses , as may be deemed advisable .”
E . Burt Hunter of Lewisburg , president ; Dr . W . F . Fessey , first vice-president ; A . M . Dement , second vice-president , and Jim Mc Cord , secretary-treasurer , are the officers of the association . Directors include W . H . Davis , D . H . Brock , T . M . Goodrich , Mr . Dement , Carl Gilbreath , Peter R . Beasley , Mr . Dickinson , Clyde E . Westbrook , W . H . Mayberry , John W . Taylor , W . W . Ogilvie , B . C . Hunter , J . R . Brantley , Tom Reynolds , Otis Endsley , S . D . Knowlton , J . L . McMichael and R . T . Mc- Cready of Pittsburgh .
Thirty-nine Registered In Book at Lewisburg
In the list of plantation horses on the registration books at association headquarters in Lewisburg are now thirty-nine . Mr . McCord says there will probably be seventy-five recognized as foundation .
There has never before been a plantation horse stud book . In this book may be found the names of notable Allen horses , regarded by many as the outstanding walking horse strain — or the names of horses of the famous Hal strain . Trotting and pacing horses , cross bred for generations with heavier stock have resulted in this distinctive type which learned horsemen say represents the nearest approach thus far developed to the perfect utility horse for farm or plantation .
8 VOICE of The Tennessee Walking Horse