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