pattern, how it was possible to use an additional metal plate and repair the hoof so that the horse was immediately serviceable. A great deal of favorable comment on his lecture was heard. The afternoon program consisted of part horse show and part school— the qualifying classes for the next evening’ s championships being interspersed with instructional features. Following the first class, Karl Yenser gave a lengthy interpretation of the new rules, which are really quite controversial and offer many differences of opinion. Another class— then Ann Prescott gave an equitation exhibition using SOCIETY SOUVENIR as her mount. Judge David Davis did the directing and the commentary while Ann, up on an unfamiliar horse, calling upon all of her skill, gave a well-nigh perfect exhibition of how to ride and handle a horse properly. With horse and rider responding so perfectly to Dave’ s excellent direction, they not only did a top-flight job but they also made a very pretty picture, which was much appreciated by the viewers.
After another class, Billy Boyd, the Leeswood trainer, showed how to put on tail braces both for cut and
humane tails. This is a tricky job for, if it is not done properly, it can cut off the blood circulation to the
tail; it can pinch so that when the rider’ s weight is in the saddle the horse will buck, jump, and do his
best to dislodge the weight on his back; it can turn, twist, and even fall off— all of which is embarrassing to have happen in the show ring. It is really surprising how many people lack the knowledge to properly adjust this piece of equipment.
Following other classes, Judge George Henson, an authority on conformation, gave very interesting lectures on what to look for— both good and bad—
when examining horses for purchase and for breeding. He used an individual stallion, mare, and yearling to
illustrate his comments, and when he had finished those who were interested had acquired some additional information which will be of service in the future. The show and school occupied the entire day and, surprisingly, there were more people at the end than
at the beginning. This circumstance was most gratifying to those who had worked to put the production
together. The evening began with the President’ s cocktail party and then dinner. After dinner the nominating committee for new directors made its report and its recommendations were duly elected. The Association has a
Board of Directors made up of at least one Director from each state represented on our membership list,
who serve a term of three years and who can be reelected once. This results in a large number of Directors, but they are never all there at meetings and the quorum problem is handled by simply stating in the
by-laws that the Directors present at any meeting constitute a quorum and the business of the Association may be conducted without any complications. A directory of the membership will be put out, and Bill St. Clair was appointed chairman of a committee
to do the job. He proposed that we auction advertising at the Annual Dinner to finance the brochure, so we tried it. No one but Bill had any idea if it would succeed or be a big bust, but with the assistance of a good auctioneer it proved to be the hit of the evening and $ 1,750.00 worth of advertising was sold.
Early Saturday morning, the Directors met for a breakfast meeting at which the business of the Association was disposed of and the following officers for the coming year were elected: President- Paul Brienza, New Jersey; Vice President- Samuel L. St. Clair, Maryland: ice President- S. J. Bell, Virginia; Vice President- Dorothy Evans, Pennsylvania; Secretary & Treasurer- Priscilla R. Marble, New York; Chairman of the Board- Cebern Lee, New York. After the meeting a Judge’ s Forum was held. We had sent invitations to all Walking Horse judges north of North Carolina and east of Indiana. A representative number had accepted and, with Dave Davis presiding, those present reported a very satisfactory meeting. After the annual lunch and business meeting, the afternoon and evening horse show was formally opened with L. W. Crist, York, Pennsylvania, bearing the flag and Alan Stevenson again offering the invocation. There were well over a hundred Walking Horses participating. The show offered a total of 14 Walking Horse classes with seven for professionals, five for amateurs and two for pleasure horses. The judge was George Henson, Winchester, Tennessee. George judged the National Celebration in 1966.
The biggest blue ribbon winner in-professional classes was Charles Mullins, with three first-place ties. Ernie Bugg won two classes and Albert Davis and Dick Myers won one class each. The Walking Horse Championship Stake was won by Ernie Bugg riding GREATER GO BOY for E. J. Whitlock of Mineral,
Virginia. Ernie and his horse also won the preliminary class in this division. The reserve championship went
to Billy Boyd riding SUN’ S WILDFIRE. Charles Mullins won two of his blue ribbons on GO GIRL’ S MIDNIGHT STAR, winning the Junior Walking Horse Class and the Junior Stake. This horse is owed by Capitol Radio Company. Charles’ other blue came in the Three-Year-Old Class, which he won on BILLY SUNSHINE for owner Mrs. W. P. Morris.
The Mare Class was won by Albert Davis riding SHADOWS PRIDE for C. W. Kline. The reserve award went to TOP MAN’ S GO GIRL with Bill Sloat up for Tom Blair. The Two-Year-Old Class was won by MR. SHOWMAN with Dick Myers in the saddle for J. D.
Stokely. Reserve in this class went to GO BOY’ S SHENANGO, Everett Majors up for M. E. Humphries.
As far as total ribbons won in professional classes, the biggest winners were Dick Myers and Ernie Bugg with five ribbons each. Charles Mullins won a total of four ribbons and Albert Davis and Billy Boyd won three each.
The five amateur classes provided four different winners, with the only two-time winner being Muriel Lee. Other blue-ribbon winners in this division were Jeff Brener, Mrs. Grant Bothamley, and Barbara Corbett. Muriel Lee won the Ladies Walking Horse Stake on SOCIETY SOUVENIR after winning the Ladies Open Class on this great horse. The Amateur Walking Horse Stake was won by PRIDES DREAM GIRL and owner-rider Barbara Corbett. The Amateur Stallion & Gelding Class was won by SUN DUST THOR with Mrs. Grant Bothamley in the saddle. The Amateur Mare Class was taken by Jeff Brener on MIDNIGHT PERFECTION for the Brener Furniture Company. The two pleasure classes were swept by Bill St. Clair riding GO BOY’ S YONDER for the St. Clair Stables. Reserve in both classes went to GO BOY’ S AVALANCHE, Lolo Miller up for Boyd Worthington.
Complete results of the show can be found in the Horse Show Results section of this magazine.
July, 1969 49