Perhaps the single most writtcn-about, talked-about, and discussed stallion in the Walking Horse business in the past five years has been TRIPLE THREAT, the 1965 World Grand Champion. He has, more than any other horse except MIDNIGHT SUN, '' become a Legend in his own time.” His ability as a show horse ' is now history as he was officially retired at the 1966 Celebration.
TRIPLE THREAT was the greatest ambassador the Walking Horse breed had ever had during the three years that he was campaigning for the big stake at the Celebration. More than any other horse ever shown in Walking Horse classes, TRIPLE THREAT won the admiration and praise of horse lovers in general. He made“ believers” out of a lot of skeptics who had always thought the“ big time” Walking Horse had to be“ hand made.” His big lick, deep motion, extreme stamina, and natural beauty drew the admiration and ovation of horse enthusiasts from coast to coast.
As can easily be seen from the accompanying picture of promotional pages, news items and other material, TRIPLE THREAT was the most lauded and promoted horse ever to win the roses at the Celebration. His story is one. of extreme ups and downs, but despite numerous setbacks and handicaps, the big horse made it and it is a good thing for our breed that he did. Many people were involved in the long trip that this horse made from Amity, Mississippi, where he was foaled on May 1, 1956, to his present status in the Walking Horse world.
To our knowledge, more people have been involved in the ownership of TRIPLE THREAT than any other I ' ennesseo. Walking Horse. He was owned either wholly or in part, by thirteen different people during the first ten years of his life and ten of these people owned him during the years of 1.963 through 1966. TRIPLE THREAT was bred by Robert S. Ellis who sold him as a yearling to Digby Palmer. Mr. Palmer started him as a two year old and the horse reportedly sustained an injury that forced Mr. Palmer to turn him out to pasture. In 1961. when he was a five year old, TRIPLE THREAT
RETIREMENT CEREMONY— The big bay appears to be unconcerned as Myron Wolaver, Doug Wolaver, Ellen Metzger, Gottlob Koenig, Mrs. Doug“ Sis” Wolaver, Harold Wise and Digby Palmer, look on as he is officially retired at the Celebration 1966. was purchased by“ Gus” Tinsley of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and in May of 1962 he was purchased by Mr. J. Glen Turner of Dallas, Texas who started his trip to stardom. In 1963, after TRIPLE THREAT, with Harold Kennedy in the saddle had been tied Reserve at the Celebration, Mr. Turner sold TRIPLE THREAT along with many of his other Walking Horses, to Mr. Pat Kimbrough of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was purchased by Abernathy, Clement and Shcrill of North Carolina early in 1964 and was turned over to Sam Cecil, trainer for Mr. C. E. Clement in Hickory, N. C. After much deliberation again in 1964. The big bay was again tied Reserve and was sold at auction at the Murray Farm Sale in the Spring of 1965. He brought a record high price for a light horse at auction and his new owner Mr. Hank Sheely soon sold part ownership to Mr. Joe Wright of Nacogodoches, Texas. Mr. Wright eventually purchased all of him and in turn sold two third of him to Mr. Al Krosche and Mr. Bob Guinn. These three men were the owners of TRIPLE THREAT when Mr. Gottlob Koenig of Daytona Beach, Florida, his present owner, purchased him for another record high price... a staggering $ 130,000.
There were actually two highlights in TRIPLE THREAT’ S career at a showhorsc. The first came when he won the crown of roses at the 1965 Celebration with Douglas Wolaver in the saddle. This was a most gratifying victory for the big bay stallion. The other, now well remembered as one of the most outstanding performance ever made in the“ big ring”, was the occasion of his official retirement last year at the Celebration. When the ring was cleared and the announcer began the impressive retirement ceremony, TRIPLE THREAT came into the ring in the running walk. Most of the crowd came to it’ s feet and applauded him as he passed. As he made the regular tour of the ring in the flat foot walk, the running walk and the canter, one could sense the chill of excitement that graced the crowd. At the insistence of
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4 VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse