GO BOY ' S
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION TAKES CAREFUL
It was in February of 1964 and Southern Walking Horse enthusiasts had gathered in Jackson, Tennessee, for the annual meeting of the Mid-South Horse Association. As is the custom, everyone was using what spare time they had to do some“ barnstorming” on their own to see just what West Tennessee stables had to offer for the coming year. It was at one of these stables that we just happened to arrive in time to see a much discussed young two year old stallion work. Among the crowd there that day was a group of well known people from Dallas, Texas, including Shirley Sharp and Frank Mason.
As the trainer was busy grooming we stood back and observed the fine conformation, alert cars and fineness of this particular bay stud. He was a pretty colt with a lot of bloom. Being a young horse, however, he needed a little weight and growth before he would be ready to hit the show ring. Mr. Frank Mason observed the colt with an experienced and critical eye. Considered by many to be one of the most knowledgable horsemen in the business, Mr. Mason discussed the colt with other horsemen present. Also eyeing the colt was Shirley Sharp, another astute and experienced Walking Horse enthusiast. As the trainer climbed in the saddle the colt swung around and headed down the hall in a flat foot walk. Immediately there was a clamor of excitement as everyone noted that there was something special about this colt. He was a rarity! A colt that walked all over... moving every muscle in order to stride with his back end and reach with his front. His head motion was almost unbelievable, nodding with a deep stride with every step he took. As the colt warmed up,“ Mr. Frank” said that he would like to see the running walk and a“ running walk” he got. This is all it ' took.
GO BOY’ S CFIATTERBOX was purchased that day from Dr. W. B. Cleveland of Cleveland, Ohio, and shortly moved to his new home at the Blue Bonnet Stables in Grapevine, Texas, just outside Dallas. After arriving at his new ' home, CHATTERBOX w ' as brought along slowly due to the fact that he was not foaled until September 1, 1961. Fie was only shown once as a three year old, when he placed first in his class at San Antonio. The fancy bay stud was beginning to get a reputation“ out west” and he began the 1965 circuit with quite a following. He was successful in capturing five successive Championships to w ' in the Texas Walking Horse Association High Point Stallion award that year.
In the spring of 1966 CHATTERBOX was beginning to develop his full potential. To his natural big-going lick and three excellent gaits were added size, stamina and speed. Again he won five Championship Awards in Texas. At this point everyone began to talk about the fancy bay stallion that was under wraps in Texas. Back in Middle Tennessee he was known by reputation but he had never challenged the Celebration. With the 1966 Celebration approaching, trainer Bud Seaton, one of the top trainers in the business and winner of many Celebration honors including the World Championship Two Year Old Class, decided to condition his bay stallion for the“ big ring.” This is another story in itself.
By now, everyone realizes that GO BOY’ S CHAT TERBOX was the real surprise of the Celebration of 1966. He came as an unknown that had never been shown in Tennessee and emerged as the Reserve World Grand Champion Walking Horse. He did it on his own... bucking the odds to win the acclaim and approval of knowledgable Walking Horse enthusiasts from coast to coast. Trainer Bud Seaton is justly proud of his horse. It has been said that Bud remarked that he“ really didn’ t know what his horse would do under the pressure of the
4 VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse