CAPITOL COMMENTS
" News from the Capitol of the Walking Horse World "
By Tommy Fouche
TENNESSEE COLT SHOW ASSOCIATION
For some time now , breeders of Tennessee Walking Horses in Tennessee have wanted to unite and form an organization of their own , separate from the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders ’ and Exhibitors ’ Association of America . Last month a charter was granted by the State of Tennessee to the Tennessee State Colt Show Association which was recently formed . During an interview recently Dr . BOB WOMACK , Association president , pointed out that this organization was not out to fight anybody , only to " create a NEW FUTURITY for the breeders of Tennessee Walking Horses , and
possibly to set an example for other futurities and shows .’’
THE PURPOSE OF THIS ASSOCIATION , as stated in its constitution , will be to " improve the competitive showing of Tennessee Walking Horse colts through the utilization of the democratic process among members of the Association in the management of shows , selection of judges , and developing policies by which the Association will be administered .’’
At its annual show each year the TENNESSEE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP COLT will be crowned from both the futurity and open divisions . All winners of both divisions will be required to show in the championship stake .
The show is to be held each year in Murfreesboro . City and county officials have pledged overwhelming support and have already begun selection of a site on which to build a new facility .
The most unique feature of this organization is the method by which the judges are to be elected . The by-laws explicitly state that nominating forms shall be mailed to all members during the month of June requesting the names of not more than three individuals as nominees . The envelopes containing the nominations will be brought unopened to a duly called open meeting , at which time they will be opened and tallied by an appointed committee . Nominees will then be contacted and asked to serve as judges in the order of total votes received . If for any reason a nominee does not accept the invitation , the committee will proceed down the list until the appropriate number of judges has been selected .
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According to Dr . Womack , the Association has hopes of setting a precedent in horse show judging . He added that they have decided to select a total of 6 judges for the show and that three will be selected to judge any given class after all entries have entered the ring . Regarding the qualifications for judges , the by-laws state that no person who stands a stallion shall be eligible to judge and , likewise , no colt owned by a judge may be shown in competition before him . Those standing all of the major stallions in Tennessee have pledged their support . These include Harlinsdale Farm ( Sun ’ s Delight , Spirit of Midnight , Midnight Mack K , Midnight Beau , Sun ’ s Midnight Duke ); Bailey-Montgomery Stables ( Go Boy ’ s Shadow , Piddley ); Vic Thompson Stables ( Go Boy ’ s Invasion , Gordon ’ s Merry Boy , Sun Dust ); Sam Paschal Stables ( Setting Sun ); GLL Farms ( GLL ’ s Carbon Copy ); and S . W . Beech Stables ( Merry Go Boy , Ebony Masterpiece ).
A mass meeting was held in Shelbyville in December at which time all interested persons from across the state were able to express their views and ideas as to the future of this organization . Application for membership must be made on forms furnished by the Association . Dues are $ 5.00 a year and all who join before September 1 , 1966 , will be considered charter members . Nominations for the futurity will begin being accepted January 1 , 1966 , and must be accompanied by an initial $ 5.00 fee for the mare . To keep a weanling colt eligible , a $ 5.00 fee must be paid by June 30 , and another by August 1 .
Provided all the provisions were met during its weanling year , a yearling colt may be kept eligible for competition by paying a $ 5.00 fee by April 15 , and another by August 1 . A stallion may be nominated by paying a fee of $ 25.00 . There are no refunds made on futurity nominations .
Anyone desiring additional information can write to Dr . Bob Womack , Middle Tennessee State University , Murfreesboro . An organization of this type is long overdue and we pledge our full support to its purpose and its efforts .
The board elected at the December meeting consisted of :
1- YEAR TERMS : Jack Delay Lyle Cashion Charlie Bobo
2- YEAR TERMS : Harlin Hayes George Henson Sam Hopkins
3- YEAR TERMS : Paul Wallace Clyde Jernigan Stanley McNabb
The colt show will be held the Wednesday before the Celebration . All the money will go to the colt , instead of to the sire and dam .
The officers are : Dr . Bob Womack , President ; JO CATES , Vice President ; GEORGE POWERS , Treasurer ; Mrs . JAMES ROWLAND and Mrs . CHARLES MARTIN , Secretaries . Write P . O . Box 427 , Murfreesboro , Tennessee , for further information .
VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse