1968-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1968 January Voice RS | Page 6

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RODGERS
PERFECTION
1959 World Grand Champion
In June of 1967, Stallion Stables in Shelbyville,
Tennessee, captured the spotlight of the Walking
Horse world when they announced the purchase of
one of the most highly regarded horses ever produced
by the breed. RODGERS PERFECTION, the 1959
World’s Grand Champion and long the subject of
speculation regarding his purchase, was sold by Por­
ter Rodgers Stables in Searcy, Arkansas to a group
of well-known Tennessee enthusiasts. Heading the
negotiations to purchase this top breeding stud was
Mr. Vic Thompson, noted Walking Horse trainer and
breeder, who was in association with Mr. Larry Grib-
ble and Mr. Jack Short in the purchase of the horse.
It was stated at the time that the purchase price of
the horse would not be revealed, but speculation in­
dicates that it was the highest price ever paid for a
light horse in America. Was he worth it?
It is not hard to answer the questions regarding the
worth of a stallion of this caliber. He is worth plenty
and his value is based on several dominant factors.
His breeding is excellent. He is by MIDNIGHT MACK
K, another stallion that stood at Stallion Stables at
onetime, and was out of the famous old mare MERRY
WALKER, also the dam of the 1955 World Grand
Champion. This breeding is hard to beat and it was
no revelation that the fine black stud colt born on Dr.
Rodgers’ birthday, May 6, 1955, was destined to be a
great champion.
Always an outstanding individual, RODGERS PER-
FECriON attracted much attention as a youngster,
and many offers were turned down as he approached
the showring. It was a young and relatively unknown
6
trainer named Joe Webb who was first attracted by
this horse, and it was Joe who named him "perfec­
tion.” Joe trained and showed the horse throughout
his career, and from the first time he threw a leg
over that broad back Joe had visions of the Celebra­
tion ring in his head. With this in mind, Joe Webb
bb barked on a joint program of promotion and devel­
opment that led to the big ring. He even reconstruct­
ed the Celebration ring in exact detail at the Porter
Rodgers Farm in Searcy, and when the test came he
was ready. RODGERS PERFECTION was adjudged
the "world’s best” in 1959 and, with that victory, he
was retired from the show ring and was to stand at
stud in Searcy, Arkansas.
An exceptional physical specimen, RODGERS PER­
FECTION was immediately a success as a breeding
horse; however, his location in Searcy, Arkansas made
it virtually impossible for him to get a large quantity
of mares. Dr. Porter Rodgers, recognizing this, de­
cided that the way to make up for quantity was to
breed for quality, and he launched a program of se­
lective breeding that has produced some of the top
horses of the breed, including the 1964 World Grand
Champion and the 1967 World Champion Junior Horse.
When RODGERS PERFECTION arrived in Shelby-
ville, Tennessee, in early summer of 1967, the Walking
Horse world was buzzing with excitement. People
from miles around trooped to the Stallion Stables to
see him, and late-season breeders clamoured for his
services. 1968 appears to be a banner year for ROD­
GERS PERFECTION as a great deal of interest has
already been shown in his booking. It is rare indeed
when a stallion receives the acclaim that has been
accorded to RODGERS PERFECTION. For informa­
tion on breeding to him during the 1968 season, con­
tact Mr. Larry Gribble, Manager, Stallion Stables,
Shelbyville, Tennessee.
Voice of the Tennessee Walking
Horse