Tte 1968 Columbia Spring Jubilee, long considered the second most important Walking Horse classic in the nation, set a pace for Tennessee Walking Horses that will be hard to live up to as we head down the stretch toward the National Celebration and the World Championship contests. The show this year broke all existing records for the Jubilee with over 500 horses attending the three-day event. Over fifteen states were represented by horses and the crowds that attended the show this year were considerably better than last year. The facilities at Columbia, Tennessee are excellent and the hospitality of the management, the Maury County Horsemen’ s Association, was in the true Southern tradition. Mr. Marshall P. Ledbetter, Jr., President of the Association and General Manager of the show, did an excellent job in this capacity. He was ably assisted by W. M. White, James Bailey, J. B. Napier and Jimmy Walters, who were the key men on the show * committee.
Showtime saw7 Mr. Emmet Guy take over the role of announcer and he w7as at his usual best in the middle of the big ring. The ever-popular Jimmy Richardson charmed the crowds with his organ antics during the show7, w7hich lasted from May 30 through June 1. The judges for Walking Horse classes were: John T. Carter, professional trainer from Kingsport, Tennessee; Steve Hill, professional trainer from Beech Grove, Tennessee; and Sam Yarbrough, Police Chief of Pulaski, Tennessee. These men are well qualified by background and experience, and formed a most critical team of judges. The social activities of the Jubilee were very comfortable and cordial this year. As usual the exhibitors and dignitaries looked forward to the picnic which was held at the recreational center. Entertainment wras furnished by the Prisonaires, a fine group of Negro singers whose background speaks for itself. They have a fine reputation throughout this part of the country and w7ere roundly applauded by the large group in attendance. The VOICE Publishing Company hosted an exhibitors’ breakfast after the show on Friday night and over 250 attended this affair, which was held at the Holiday Inn in Columbia.
GO BOY’ S ROYAL HEIR Tops A Great Class To Win Top Spot
GO BOY’ S ROYAL HEIR, making his third trip under the lights in open competition since trainer Donald Paschal took over the reins from Candace Williams, made a splendid performance to take the blue in the top class of the show on Saturday night. Riding for Dr. and Mrs. C. L. Sexton of Florence, South Carolina, Donald served fair warning that the black stud is ready and right. Tying second in this fine class was the much-lauded WARLOCK with Doug Wolaver riding for Mitzi-Lew Ranch, Eugene, Oregon. He is owned jointly by Frank Parnell and Lew Williams, who have reason to feel that this big bay is a formidable contender for top honors this year. Third was SUN UP R
with J. W. Renfro up. The Junior Stud and Gelding Class also saw a lot of action as the highly regarded ACE’ S SENSATION showed what a winter’ s work can do for a growing horse. He is bigger and stronger than when he won the Three-Year-Old World Championship last year and is much improved. With Wink Groover riding, SENSATION put on a display of " big-time” gaits that captured the applause of everyone including his owners, Beech and Hale. There is a lot of talk about the possibilities of this horse being shown in Age Classes this year and from what we have seen, he should get along well. Reserve was EBONY AGAIN, ridden by Donald Paschal for Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Shoe, Lenoir, North Carolina. Third was MIDNIGHT JIM with Frank McMeen up for Paul Brown of Columbia. Walking Ponies were much in evidence at the Jubilee and it was BRONZE MASTERPIECE, a fine pony by EBONY MASTERPIECE, who walked away with
top honors with Kenny Hale in the saddle. This team keeps getting better and better, and should be in top form in about two months. Reserve was JUKE BON CHARLIE, with Judy Tillett putting her showring experience to work in good form. Third was Pam ClipP^ ' get riding the little red roan stud named RED MAN’ JR. It was a fine class of ponies.
( Continued on poge 48)
30 Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse