Scattered around the country are quite a few professional Tennessee Walking Horse trainers that have " made it big ” in their own areas , and yet we haven ’ t heard a lot about them . One such trainer is Mr . Don Bolinger of California , Missouri . Don , while having been denied the depth of experience afforded many trainers in Middle Tennessee , has achieved considerable success in the Mid-West and has captured his share of victories against top competition . " After all ,” says Don , " success in any business is being able to please your customers and maintain a reputation that is a compliment to your chosen profession .” Don has tried to do just that , and while he was at it , he managed to provide a good living for himself and his family .
Don has actually been training Walking Horses professionally for about six years . He has worked with horses all his life , and was born and raised on a farm . His parents , Ward and Velma Bolinger , had a big family - Don was one of seven children . Born in 1928 , he was laced as a youngster with the daily tasks of farm life . He grew to love animals , especially horses , but it was not until 1948 , when he married the former Bonnie Crane , that he was introduced to Tennessee Walkers .
Bonnie ’ s lather , . John Crane , was an avid Tennessee Walking Horse fan , and owned the first registered Walker to grace the state of Missouri . NOD DIN PRINCE , a naturalgoing stallion by MILLER ’ S WIL
SON ALLEN , was a horse with many talents . He was shown 60 times in 1946-47 and won 57 blue ribbons . He was also a line pleasure horse and was bred frequently while he was showing . He has sired many a colt in the Missouri area that have made excellent pleasure horses , and some did well in the show ring .
A farmer by demand and desire , Don Bolinger didn ' t entertain the thought of becoming a professional trainer for quite a few years . He " sort of eased into it ," as he says , and in 1961 made his debut in the show ring after being convinced by several followers that he had a natural way with horses . The first year that Don entered the show ring on Walking Horses he walked off with enough blue ribbons to merit winning two of the Heart of America Walking Horse Association awards . They were won on JET ’ S RADIA TION . a two-year-old stallion that he purchased from Vic Thompson for Ed Loefiler of Jefferson City , Mo . Another horse that he showed well that first year was MAGIC BUGG . a full brother to the WITCH DOC TOR ( sire of the now-famous WAR- LOCK ) which was the stake award winner for that year . Don showed the WITCH DOCTOR as a threeyear-old stallion also that year . Don speaks well of these horses , and takes pride in the fact that he bred the WITCH DOCTOR to the mare that foaled WARLOCK .
The Bolinger Stables in California , Missouri has grown to become one of the most established and respected horse facilities in the " Heart of America ." The stable now has 28 stalls and Don usually keeps them all full of training stock . Don , while being quiet-spoken , is a friendly fellow with a good word for almost everybody . He works hard as a trainer and tries hard to give his customers their money ’ s worth .
( Continued on page 72 )
ABOVE : Don Bolinger receiving one of many blue ribbons on COMMAND DECISION
LEFT Connie Bolinger riding CL NSMOKE ' S FIRST LAD V .
January , 1968
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