WALK ON, MINNESOTA! by Miss Carlene Holt Stillwater, Minnesota
" What’ s a Walking Horse?” That’ s the unfortunate reaction of many a Minnesotan in the past and present. Perhaps within the next few years these doubts will change into appreciation and admiration for our favorite breed of horse.
The Tri-State Horsmen’ s Association, which headquarters in this area, decided last year to include classes for both Open and Amateur Walking Horses on their approved list of point championship classes. In 1965 this resulted in many more regional shows adding Walking Horse classes to their programs. This decision will help in promoting the Walker, keeping it before the public, and will continue to have a good influence over the increased interest in the breed.
WOODLANE FARM— Stillwater, Minnesota
In the spring of 1964 our family moved from St. Paul out here to Woodlane Farm where we could have our two Walkers right in our own backyard. My parents had a chestnut pleasure Walking mare; 1 owned Secret’ s Painted Lady, a black mare with four stockings and blaze sired by Midnight Secret. Lady was heavy in foal when we moved in and, a month later, she presented us with a little black filly identical to herself. This foal, registered as Milady Midnight, was sired by Midnite Pleasure, Jr., the beautiful black double-Midnight Sun-bred stallion standing at stud at the Eyre Walking Horse Stable, Grundy Center, Iowa.
Lady was bred back to this horse and last year gave us another filly which we have named Wild as the Wind. Little Windy, now a good-sized yearling, is coal-black with a star, snip and two hind socks. We are especially proud of these fillies as their papers show three tracings back to Midnight Sun. We may be selling them this spring as we expect May foals from both of our Walker mares. The inventory continues to grow.
A trip down into Missouri in February, 1965, resulted in my bringing home my first show Walker— Powerhouse, a 15.3 hand chestnut gelding with light mane and tail. Under the skillful and patient guidance of Blue Gate Farm’ s trainer, Mr. FRANK DALKE, we did well our first season in the show ring. I’ ll never forget the excitement of those first times in through the gate— the organ music heralding our entrance and Powerhouse nodding in rhythm, tossing about the green ribbons I’ d so lovingly braided into his mane. He was nervous and excited, too, and snorted at the crowd. But I don’ t have to describe this wonderful feeling— anyone who has ever showed a horse knows just what I mean.
BLUE GATE FARM, INC.— Stillwater, Minnesota
Only a year ago this new show and training stable opened for business just a mile from Woodlane Farm. The stable itself is 160 feet long with a wide aisle for indoor riding. FRANK DALKE, their full-time trainer, has had many years of experience with the Walking Horse. It was under his expert guidance that Blue Gate Farm enjoyed a most successful 1965 show season. This is evidenced by the many trophies and ribbons displayed in their wood-paneled lounge.
Walkers shown under the blue-and-gold colors of Blue Gate Farm during the 1965 season are: Merry Gold Bell, a flashy roan mare ridden by Dr. DORO THY MUIRHEAD of Blue Gate Farm that brought home two Tri-State championships last fall; Glory’ s Fire Ball B., a liver chestnut stallion shown to a Reserve Open Class Tri-State championship by Mrs. SUZANNE NELSON of Blue Gate Farm; Chester’ s Walkaway, a black gelding shown for Blue Gate Farm by Mr. STUART DALKE of Minneapolis; Rodger’ s Fireball, a black stallion sired by Rodger’ s Merry Go Boy shown for Blue Gate by trainer Frank Dalke; and Bald Magic, a black roan gelding shown by Mr. GEORGE FIELD of Minneapolis. Mr. LARRY BROWN of Grand Forks, North Dakota, has a beautiful young chestnut gelding here in training. Sorry, didn’ t get the name of this horse.
Another outside-owned horse currently in training here is the black gelding, Midnight C Big John, by Midnight Sun. His proud new owner is Miss DEBRA LARSON, daughter of Mr. and Mrs JORDAN Larson of St. Paul, Minnesota. Recently the Larson family stopped by at Woodlane Farm for a few minutes to see our young Walking Horses, and we thought they were certainly wonderful people We introduced them to the VOICE, and by now just bet they are avid readers.
Other Walking Horses which showed within our Tri- State region last year include:
Sterlings Good News— owner, CAROL SCHACH- TER of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This bold black gelding was with trainer MARSHALL STREADWICK of Minneapolis, Minnesota, during the 1965 show season. Mr. Streadwick rode him in the Open Classes and Carol was up for Amateur competition. This was Carol’ s first full show season with this new horse, and they certainly did well. She exhibited at every show in this area as well as several out of state. Scarlet Secret— a flashy black mare with white markings owned by JEAN WHITESELL of Minneapolis. Because of a leg injury, Scarlet Secret could not finish out the 1965 show season for Jean. But when I last saw Jean, she reported that her mare was coming along fine. I believe that, at present, this horse is back in training at the Hawkeye Melody Stable in Grundy Center, Iowa.
Mister Blue— a beautiful grey gelding, grandson of Merry Boy, owned by Mr. MARK WALSH of Willmar, Minnesota. This is a very impressive horse and we hope to see Mark back with him this 1966 season.
is one article it was impossible to include all those who own Walkers in our area. I’ ve tried to concentrate on those who had show horses out durmg u! GnPaSt seasorL There are many who have pleasure a ers and I would certainly enjoy hearing from any readers owning Walking Horses in Minnesota and the surrounding area. Please write and tell me fntnr * ^01^rselves and your horses. Perhaps at some about r C ° Uld include You in another article about the Walking Horses of Minnesota.
12 VOICE of the Tennessee g Horse