By DAVID HOWARD
Every year as the scent of fall hangs in the air the small town of Shelbyville . Tennessee becomes the big city of the Walking Horse world . And every year this " big city ” gets bigger and better . This year proved to be the biggest and best in the long and illustrious history of the Celebration , as records of . all descriptions fell by the wayside in ever-increasing numbers . Fans , owners , horses , trainers and just interested individuals came from all over the United States and several foreign ports of call to view this most spectacular of all Walking Horse events . Eight great nights of top classes were the featured attraction but there were many other activities to occupy the daylight hours . Visitors could attend the numerous sales and auctions , renew old acquaintances , attend social gatherings , or just ramble around the Celebration grounds and talk horses . Celebration time is that unique time of year when the problems of the world and the individual are pushed aside and the Tennessee Walking Horse occupies the hearts and minds of all present .
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Attendance soared to new record heights as 97,898 paid admissions were recorded during the eight-night spectacle . This is nearly 11,000 more than last year and represents the growing popularity of the Walking Horse . This figure does not include the more than 3,200 people who were on hand as exhibitors , grooms , trainers , officials , groundskeepers and service personnel . However , overshadowing these startling figures were the 1,373 horses that competed in this year ’ s sixty classes . This is even more impressive when one goes over the list of horses and notes the quality of the stock entered . This year ’ s classes each had several prime contenders for the title and the widespread judging that was so prevalent certainly bears this out . Never before in Celebration history have so many top horses been so well-trained and shown so well by their owners and trainers .
Governor FRANK G . CLEMENT of Tennessee was on hand to drape the horseshoe of roses over the neck of the Grand Champion , Triple Threat . There were many other dignitaries on hand , including former governor of Tennessee , presently Director of the National Offce of Emergency Planning BUFORD ELLINGTON . Mr . Ellington has been involved in Walking Horse activity for a number of years and is one of the most enthusiastic owners and supporters of the breed .
( Continued on page 12 ) VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse