Amateur-Owned Walking Horse Class, again on MAG IC KNIGHT.
Louis Slone won the mare class on GO BOY’ S PAN DORA, a bay mare with a relaxed, easy-going way. GUNSMOKE’ S SCATTERGUN won the Two-Year-Old Class. This promising colt is owned by Barkley Brock of Clinton, Missouri, and was ridden by his daughter. Another horse trained by Don Bolinger, EBONY’ S WHIRLWIND, won the Junior Stake. Part of the pageantry of the American Royal this year was the retirement ceremony of GUNSMOKE’ S FIRST LADY, owned and shown by Janie Richardson of St. Louis. Janie gave an exhibition with her horse, then LADY was led from the ring with a blanket of roses over her back, after receiving numerous tributes. LADY seemed more like a frisky colt during the ceremony than a ten-year-old veteran of the show ring. Janie first showed this mare six years ago at the American Royal, where they won the Amateur Class. Through the years they have won over 100 blue ribbons, plus the Missouri High Point Juvenile Championshop in 1964, 1965, and 1966, and the High Point Ladies Championship in 1967 and 196S.
The Walking Horse exhibitors encountered problems with the inspection of their horses at the Royal, as they have at other shows sponsored by the American
Horse Shows Association this season. The rule regarding the inspection of horses is subject to individual interpretation and, as a result, horses that were dismissed one day were passed the next. This makes it difficult for the exhibitor, since he has no way of knowing if his horse will be permitted to enter the ring.
Due to the recent adverse publicity in LIFE magazine, there was also a great deal of morbid curiosity among the spectators, with large crowds gathering to watch the inspection. The American Horse Shows Association officials are trying to clarify the rule to avoid this confusing situation in the future. Since they sponsor over 1,000 shows throughout the country, it is hoped that they can come up with a solution which will be agreeable to all concerned, and will allow our W alking Horses to enter the ring with a modicum of dignity left to the exhibitors.
One of the prominent breeders in Missouri suggested that all Walking Horse exhibitors should join the American Horse Shows Association, for by our strength of numbers we would perhaps have some voice in future rules and regulations. If the Walking Horse industry is to grow, it is necessary that our horses be seen throughout the country, as well as in Tennessee.
ON THE MASON-DIXON LINE by SALLY SAWYER S. DIXIE HIGHWAY— FRANKLIN, OHIO Things have been going slow here since the Celebration. except for the Kentucky Walking Horse Celebration and the Ohio Valley Walking Horse Fall Festival. These two shows sure highlighted our entire show season because there were such outstanding horses and real fun as horse shows ought to be. There wasn ' t a boot dropped or any problems of horses’ performance. Mr. Mallard really got out the Kentucky hospitality at the Kentucky Celebration and Dr. and Mrs. James Smith were the hosts of the Ohio Valley Festival. Wayne Nickel did the judging, with an eye for top horses, for Ohio Valley. Judges " Lightning’' Gregory, Dr. Otto Apel, and Rex Watts did outstanding jobs of promptness and precision, and tied them as they saw them for the Kentucky Celebration. This was a delightful show, and it was nice to have a " sparkplug " like Pete Yokley to really keep things humming with his know-how.
My father just got back from Claude Brown’ s stable in Morehead where he saw Buddy Kirby and Mr. Brown working one good horse after another. While there, my dad bought a new horse, THE SHEIK. We are pleased with this three-year-old stallion by GO BOY’ S INVASION, who we had seen win the threeyear-old class at the Georgetown show. Just talked to Herman Ingram who brought back a new two-year-old by SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS and out of a PRIDE OF PANOLA mare. His stock is finishing a nice season, headed up by a good mare, DELIGHT’ S BLACK LADY. She’ ll probably give them all trouble in the mare division in the Ohio Valley
point system for our local champion. Herman also showed ALLEN’ S GO BOY for the Truesdales of Urbanna, Ohio. They hit the showring almost every time the gate opened, seldom failing to tie in the money.
We had another local trainer to be proud of at the Tennessee Celebration and the Ohio Valley Walking Horse Festival, where Willard Tenpenny showed both of his mares to high honors, as usual. When Willard hits the gate, there is a pleasant sight of horse and rider being " right " in any competition. We enjoy knowing Willard and Mrs. Tenpenny and know how much effort it takes with their good string of horses owned by the Calico Farm. To see Jacquie Kroll and GALA GO BOY perform is always a thrill!
We hear rumors that another of our top trainers is going into another business for himself. We will miss David and Ethel Welsh with their nice family at our shows. The Lovetts, we hope, will continue their winning ways. Ralph Lovett has an enviable record with his Plantation Walking Horse, THE REAL McCOY. Over twenty shows entered and all blues... that takes some real horsemanship and plenty of work in the saddle.
We extend good wishes to Damon Dunaway and Henry Moore, who have teamed up to make another Walking Horse barn in our area. Damon has made three good two-year-olds in the past two years and we wish them all the best.
62 Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse