LEBANON SHOW ATTRACTS MIDDLE TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE ENTHUSIASTS
As usual, the Lebanon, Tennessee Annual Veterans Horse Show was a rousing success. When Chairman SAM HOPKINS started the show on Friday, May 7, a standing-room-only crowd pressed toward the rail to see some of the best Middle Tennessee horses show their early-season stuff. Judge BONNIE DAVIS of Rome, Georgia gave a sterling performance of unbiased judging and tied the horses " as he saw them.” As usual, there were those who were unhappy about their particular luck in the show ring, but for the most part everyone agreed that Mr. Davis had done an excellent job. From the outside, it appeared that Judge Davis paid particular attention to the condition of the horses as they parked, and from all indications these horses were in good shape. This is what it takes to have a good horse show. There was nothing '' run-of-the-mill” about any ofthe horses shown at Lebanon, but several were definitely outstanding. The winner of the stake class, Sun’ s Strut Along, with BUD SEATON up for Mr. and Mrs. HUGH STULLER, surprised a lot of people with his great performance. It took a two-horse workout, however, between this horse and Gala Go Boy, ridden by veteran RAY TENPENNY, for Judge Davis to make up hir mind. Pernaps the most taiked-about event on the showgrounds was the great show that GEORGE LIVING STON made on Mighty Sunbeam forBailey-Montgomery Stables. If George were to put this sorrel mare up and keep her right where she is, come Celebration time a lot of horses would have to go some to beat her. She is perhaps one of the best horses we have seen this year.
DONALD PASCHAL made a " walking” show of it to win the Two-Year-Old Stud Class on Merry Gold Sun for Mr. and Mrs. THOMAS E. EATON, while BILL SLEDGE took the blue in the Two-Year-Old Filly Class on a full sister of Ebony Masterpiece named Masterpiece’ s Little Sis for Solitude Stock Farm.
In the Junior Classes, which are always split at this show, CHARLIE MARTIN walked his way to the blue in the Mare event riding French’ s Rose for Mr. and Mrs. H. G. FRENCH. In the Junior Stallion and Gelding Class, there were several horses pushing in a final workout for top honors, and the 1964 Reserve Champion Two-Year-Old Stallion Shadow’ s Motion Man, ridden by BUDDY HUGH, eased out the competition for Dr. N. J. THOMAS and J. B. ALEXANDER.
Amateur exhibotors were plentiful and Good Time Charlie, ridden by Mr. PAT KIMBROUGH, had a good time of it to win. the blue in the Amateur Stake.
Always a favorite event, the Walking Pony Class saw fourteen enthusiastic young entries vie for honors in a fast and furious competition. KENNY HALE, riding his own Go Boy’ s Ink Spot, made an excellent
show to tie the blue.
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" RABBIT” CAPTURES HEARTS OF THE HENSONS
The LYMAN HENSON family of Blytheville, Arkansas is typical of Walking Horse families from coast to coase whose horse activities are centered around Juvenile Riders.
The Hensons spent many hours and miles looking for just the right horse to teach their boys to ride. But when they found a cocky little bay walking pony nicknamed " Rabbit”, they had to convince the R. F. ELLIS family of Orrville, Alabama that they were the right family. Rabbit was JIMMY ELLIS’ at-home pony, and a fellow with a hoof in everybody’ s heart. Well, this is how ' Go Boy’ s Flaming Star came into the lives of two little boys from Arkansas. A show horse with the disposition that you read about, he very seldom is tied out of the money( an answer to a parent’ s prayer). Just to give you an idea of the affection the Henson boys have for Rabbit: during an eclipse they had been cautioned not to look directly into the sun, so they watched this phenomenon on television. Yes, you guessed it— they had every door and window shut on the barn. The tearful explanation as to why Rabbit was a lather of sweat would have touched the coldest heart.
Twelve-year-old KELTON, who really works at getting the most out of their beloved Rabbit, and eightyear-old DAVID, who says he’ s the best groom in the world, will have many wonderful memories of their Rabbit. Not the best, maybe, but the best LOVED Walking Pony in the world. The Hensons also have two Shadow studs in training with JIMMY WADDELL of Brownsville, Tennessee: a black four-year-old named Shadow’ s Secret Star; and a black two-year-old named Shad ' O’ Luck. These are their horses of the future, but can they ever fill the shoes of Rabbit?
NEW WALKING HORSE SUPPLY COMPANY OPENED IN SHELBYVILLE
A new andprogressiveWalkingHorse tack company has been formed and is now in operation in Shelbyville. Named the WALKING HORSE SUPPLY COMPANY, and operated by Brent Damron, Bryan Thomas and J. L. Damron, the new company has been in operation since the first of the year and all indications are that it is going to be successful. Brent Damron, formerly with another Walking Horse supply in Shelbyville, has had considerable experience in the field and is dedicated to filling the tack and supply needs of Walking Horse owners and trainers.
They are currently working on a new catalog and will make it available just as soon as it comes off the press. The line will carry all the usual items necessary for training and caring for horses and the company is now making much of its own equipment, including tailsets, boots, halters, lead lines, and other such items. According to Mr. Damron, they are concentrating on quality merchandise at a fair price, with the accent on service. The WALKING HORSE SUPPLY COMPANY is located at 526 Depot Street in Shelbyville, and they invite trainers, owners and all Walking Horse enthusiasts to visit their facilities and look over their stock.
VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse