primary contender for the annual Shelbyville classic. The big show arrived and all eyes awaited the entrance of a big black stallion that was a full brother to the 1963 World Grand Champion, which Paschal also rode to victory. It made a good story and at the beginning of the contest he was up to the challenge at hand. As the class began to take its toll, however, JOHNNY MIDNIGHT came up short on the judges’ cards. He was awarded the title of Reserve Grand Champion Walking Horse of the World, a title he carried until his death early in 1969.
1966— The Celebration of 1966 is one that few modern-day Walking Horse lovers will ever forget. It was
a hot evening in September when a record crowd of over twenty-five thousand jammed the Celebration arena to witness one of the most exciting contests ever staged. From the outset, one horse was the popular favorite, but from along the rail came an awareness of something amiss. Almost unnoticed amid the
excitement of the hour, a fancy bay stallion kept getting better and better. He never missed a lick but, by
the time he was noticed, it was all over. GO BOY’ S CHATTERBOX, owned by Frank Mason of Dallas, Texas and ridden by Bud Seaton, was crowned Reserve Champion of 1966.
1967— Excitement reigned over the Celebration grounds in 1967 as large crowds of spectators converged upon the hamlet of Shelbyville, Tennessee to see one event. They came to see the stake class and to see the winner of the previous year make a comeback. Destiny was to play some strange tricks on everyone in 1967, however, as the stake class became a veritable battleground of emotion. Surging through the heat of the contest was a horse that was to gain the respect of a lot of people. His name was MISTER GLO and he was ridden by Elmore Brock for Frank Metcalf of Sparta, Tennessee. He became the second Reserve World Champion for Mr. Brock.
1968— There were more top contenders for the World Championship title in 1968 than at any other time in the history of the Celebration. Good horses were " a dime a dozen” as each of the major contenders made its way into the bright lights of the big ring, one by one. The final workout saw five of the greatest Tennessee Walking Horses ever assembled take the rail for the last time. And a great workout it was, with four stallions and a mare making the maximum effort to win the blue. After the Champion was crowned, there was another burst of applause as the secondplace horse made his way to the lights for his ribbon. It was THE ENTERTAINER, three times a world champion, with Joe Webb of Searcy, Arkansas riding for Chester Coon of Biggs, California.
1969— Reserve Grand Champion Walking Horse of the World is...........! and it is here that we bring this story to an abrupt close, because this is the title nobody wants. Nobody remembers the unsung heroes of the showring who tied second. Everybody wants to be first, but remember... there can only be ONE winner and there is still some honor in having competed and achieved the measure of success to say, " We were Reserve *.”
♦RESERVE— " To keep in store for future or special use.”
SUMMARY— It is interesting to analyze the relationship between the World Grand Championship and the Reserve Championship, and to note the several horses that have held and lost one or both titles. Check your own records against this, and you will enjoy many hours of interesting reading.
THIRTY-FIRST ANNUAL FUTURITY SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 AT CELEBRATION
The 31st Annual National Futurity, sponsored by the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ Association of America, will be held Thursday evening, August 28, at the Celebration grounds in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Nominations this year will include: 52 stallions, 386 mares, 219 yearlings, and 92 horses under saddle in the two-year-old class.
With over $ 18,000 in prize money, this becomes one of the richest Futurities in the horse business. Prize money is meted out to class winners according to the number of entries and, in addition to a sizable sum donated by the State of Tennessee, funds for the show are accumulated by nominations. The judges for the 1969 show had not been selected at press time, as the deadline for sending in recommendations for judges was July 31. The judges for this show are selected by the members of the Association who have horses nominated for the Futurity. Admission is free and everyone is invited to be sure and attend, as some of the finest young stock in the country will be exhibited.
MISSISSIPPI STATE CHAMPIONSHIP HORSE SHOW MISSISSIPPI COLISEUM JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
SEPTEMBER 18-19-20
THREE NIGHTS WITH FRIDAY AND SATURDAY MATINEE
★ $ 10,000 IN PRIZE MONEY ★
WALKING HORSE JUDGES: Dude Crowder Bob Cherry Jackie Gardner GAITED JUDGE: Redd Crabtree
CONTACT
SHELBY T. LILLY, Executive Secretary Mississippi State Horse Show Association, Inc. P. O. Box 4571, Jackson, Mississippi Phone 601 / 353-9568
110 Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse