Merry Boy was proclaimed by Mrs. Yandell as being the kindest stallion she ever saw. Anyone could handle him and Merry Boy would not even flick an ear No matter how far out in the pasture he might be, whenever Merry Boy heard his name caked he
came immediately.., Merry Boy never saw a show ring— in tact, he was not even completely bridle-wise. He was unique in the fact that he didn’ t like to be ridden. One could get on him, ride only so far, and then Merry Boy would deposit him on the ground, just as Mr. Mc-
Michael had warned. As Mrs. Yand ell’ s letter shows, Merry Boy just could not tolerate flies. He wasn’ t especially fond of being outside, either, except when Mrs. Yandell took him out in the yard to graze, as she often did.' Much of
her time was spent with Merry Boy. Although Merry Boy had been foundered in later
years, he was seldom sick, and Mrs. Yandell says he was very healthy. Once or twice he needed a veterinarian’ s attention and usually the late Dr. J. W. SCALES of Mississippi State University was called to attend him.
About forty7 top mares made up Merry Boy’ s private herd and outside mares were constantly accepted. No other stallion was ever kept there during the time Mrs. Yandell was standing Merry Boy. All of Mrs. Yandell’ s mares were either Wilson Allen mares or Roan Allen F-38 mares. A very clever breeder and businesswoman, Mrs. Yandell wanted only the best. Always interested in bettering the breed, she had dreams of eventually establishing a complete herd of Merry Boy mares. For years she kept all of the fillies and sold only some of the stud colts. On one special occasion a roan Merry Boy filly was sold to Dr. CLYDE Q. SHEELY of Mississippi State University. Today this filly, now grown, is heavy in foal to the late Midnight Sun.
Back in those days the Tennessee Walking Horses were extensively used as plantation horses, and Mrs. Yandell used the colts who didn’ t make top show horses or. brood mares for this purpose. These colts with their easy gaits made excellent mounts with which to check the crops. Those days were not U last long, however, for the pickup truck soon replace < the Walking Horse and the days of the plantatioi horse were no more.
Tragically enough, Mrs. Yandell’ s dream of estab lishing a herd of Merry Boy mares was never to be come a reality. Although it nearly broke her heart she was forced to sell Merry Boy and to dispense with all of her mares. Merry Boy and part of th < mares went to Mr. George Williams of Jackson, Ten nessee, and the other mares went to various places Merry Boy continued to sire show ring champiom until the time of his death. Two World’ s Grand Champ
ions, Merry Go Boy and Black Angel, were sired b \ him. Old Glory, Merry Belle, Katie Mearl, and Mem Gypsy Rose are only a few of his show ring champ ions. The late WINSTON WISER rode many Mem Boy horses, among them Merry Gypsy Rose and Mer ry Go Boy, seven times World Champion. He die much to promote the Merry Boy line. Merry Walker pnH ^ ° f, tw < ^ W ° rld’ s Champions( Go Boy’ s Shadov and Rodger 8 Perfection), was sired by Merry Boy nd then there was the famous brood mare, Mem
Rose, the dam of Talk of the Town, who was tu times World’ s Champion. nree
As time passes on, Merry Boy brood mares the most sought-after mares to be found. They c ^ well with all bloodlines to produce colts of the r ° SS highest quality. The name " Merry Boy” is 0nVery the most prominent names seen on any papers tod ° f
Merry Boy spent the remainder of his thirty-th^’
years with Mr. Williams, who loved him and him a wonderful home. He continued to stand Ve
stud until his death, and he had colts the year h died. As Mrs. Yandell says in her letter, " The great old horse is dead but his name will always be heard from those who love the Walking Horse.”
Ut
Author’ s Note: I want to thank Mrs. Margaret Yandell for her time, interest, and help in this story ' Without her, it could not have been written.
COLUMBIA SPRING JUBILEE SCHEDULES FIFTEENTH SHOW
One of the most important Walking Horse shows of the season is again in the planning stages and from all appearances, it will again be " one of the best.” The 15th Annual Columbia Spring Jubilee in Columbia, Tennessee, is scheduled for June 2, 3, and 4. The experienced show committee, composed of Mr. R. U. SWANN, LESLEY WHITE, Dr. T. H REYNOLDS, R. P. HARMON and HARDIN HILL, will again be running the show. Mrs. TOM BOWMAN will again be the Show Secretary.
Few people realize that the official title of this show is " The National Tennessee Walking Horse Spring Jubilee,” as it is commonly referred to as the Columbia Spring Show, the Jubilee, and other names, but it is actually the most important Walking Horse show of the early season and is indeed a national show. Last year entrants came from over a thousand miles to attend this most important Walking Horse event. The Kiwanis Club will have charge of all the tickets and parking, and the Rotary Club will have the food concessions. The Maury County Horsemen’ s Association is the sponsoring organization.
As usual, the Official Committee of the Columbia Spring Jubilee has made a determined effort to obtain the best possible Walking Horse judges for their show. We feel that they have again done a commendable job with the following slate: Hon. BERRY COFFEE, Morehead, Kentucky; Hon. J. W. RENFRO, Troy, Alabama; and Hon. GENE ADAMS, Tignall, Georgia.
2ND all walking horse
ANNUAL STATE SHOW • JUNE 1 8, 1 966
Sponsored by Stephenville Jaycees
STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS
FOR INFORMATION. CONTACT:
STEPHENVILLE JAYCEES. P. 0. BOX 731
or DR. KEN DORRIS. WO 5-3798- Show Chairman
50 VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse