1962-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1962 August Voice | Page 5

Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse (Continued from Page 2) 3 In Loving Memory Of Diana Stephens great, versatile rider. She’d ride a Walking Horse one day, 3 or 5-gaited next, and that’s a lot for a 9-year-old. A lot of people said most trainers could not accomplish this. Max won the first leg on a new trophy on Diana’s horse last Saturday at Benton. Diana lived and breathed horses constantly. The article in the paper that she was writing, “What a Horse Is to Me,” I found in her typewriter unfinished, when we came home from Germantown. Diana owned her own typewriter and because of her high IQ, she was to skip the 5th grade this year and was going on into the 6th. We were doing this on advice of 3 teach­ ers. All said Diana was too smart to be held back and was ready for the Here is Diana Dunn Stephens, age 9, 6 l 1 i grade. She would have been 10 daughter of Mr. and Airs. Edgar years old July 7th. Stephens of Cairo, III. She was one I’ve had beautiful letters from all of the great child riders in all horse histoiy. At the Germantown (Memphis) over the country from so many people Horse Shoiu on June 16, 1962, Diana’s I didn’t know and so many memorials Lhree-gailed horse—Vichy Emerald—had have been given her. I know she’s a shown perfectly in a class of 20 horses. proud little girl watching this from While awaiting the judges’ final call, and standing still, the horse suddenly Heaven. It has certainly been my reared. Apparently the horse’s head strength. struck Diana, knocking her from the Mr. Green, I started writing and saddle. The horse then rolled over her as the animal struggled to rise. She just couldn't stojr. I know that on sufjered a fractured skull and died your page you couldn't possibly use several hours later at the hospital. In all this but I just want everyone to a letter in this magazine Diana’s know what a wonderful little rider mother says that Diana Stephens Stable is being kept intact, and she herself is Diana was. We feel her’s was a freak learning to ride Vicky Emerald—be­ accident. And had she lived, she’d be cause she is sure that is the way her back in the saddle as soon as possible. daughter would want things to be. For her, I am learning to jog some. I never have done any riding and I WHAT A HORSE IS TO ME hope maybe in a year that perhaps I (By Diana D. Stephens) can shotv a fine harness horse. Max is To me a horse is a friend who I can Leaching me on Diana’s 2 horses— rely on most any time. We seem to “Vicky Emerald” and “M odern understand each other in our own Traveler.” special way. He seems to have faith in Diana always wanted me to try but me and I have faith in him. We love 1 was afraid. Now 1 am trying. I each other. I have a two-year-old stud colt who might never make it—but we want to stay with our horses, keep Diana’s you would think is a mare. (Actually, stable going and keep our contacts 1 think he sometimes acts better.) I with the most wonderful people in raised him, and he has never tried to bile or kick me. He tries to bite and the world—the horse people. Diana was buried in her riding kick everybody else because they are habit that she was to wear Saturday always hitting him for any little mis­ in the 5-gaited class. She held two take, without giving him a chance to blue ribbons that she won at Jackson, understand. After all he is only a colt, Mo., this year in her hand. She was he’ll get over his babyish ways as he grows up. at home in her jodpurs. It seems to me that if a horse is Please send us your magazine—and loved that you will get more out of a we thank y ou for including Diana— horse than if you are mean to him be­ that’s what keeps us going. cause he will always hold a grudge Sincerely, against you. Some people think there are such things as "devil-horses.” But Mrs. E. M. Stephens 3209 Washington Ave. I say that a horse is never born mean, but it is the way he is treated. Cairo, 111. This page is devoted to a memorial tribute to Diana D. Stephens, age 9, who was entered in Walking Horse, three-gaited and five-gaited classes for juveniles in lire 1961 Celebration. This year she is no longer with us ex­ cept in precious memory. The Voice Editor is certain all other juveniles listed in the 1961 Celebration pro­ gram will want to join us in this trib­ ute, and their names are herewith. Ben A. Green, Mary Frances Green: Hill Adams Bill Allen Tina Alston Cathy Bailey Suzanne Bailey Ted Baler Joe Bales, Jr. Mary Bales Mona Barlett Scott Baynard Tait Baynard Steve Beech Mary Louise Bennett Beryl Bethea Johnny Black Barbi Bohne Lewis Bordelon Libby Bowman Ted Baicr Avis Brown Joe Bettersworth Trisha Bryan Janie Bramlett Bobby Brown Jimmy Brown Steven Brown Calvin Bryan Sonny Bunn Bobby Burris Allan Callaway Chuck Chitwood Susie Conner Jeanne Cox Mark Cockrell Sally Clifford Catherine Chitwood Mary Jane Cochran John Crawford, Jr. Mary Denton Nancy Dodson Larry Derryberry Jane Dykes Billy Davis Rex Dalton Buddy Denton Jimmy Ellis Dottie Ann Ellis Debbie Fowler Rex Farmer Stewart Fair Jimmy Gray Camille Glover Tarry Gaylor Bobby Gaylor Diana Gamier Freda Garrett Mary Gramling Holly Anne Gray Holley Ann Gray Freda Garrett Nancy Garth Judy Gore Lynda Lee Gray Barbara Habig Richard Harris, III Laddie Hillis Roger Dale Hand !o Anne Hensley J. C. Hall Susan Hunter Sue Hammond Kathy Houck Heather Holmes Price Holt Doug Habig Candy Jones Janice Jones Karen Jones Melissa Jones Joe Kelley, Jr. Larry Kimbro Billy Liles Terry Lovett Jack Littrell Clem Lovell Nancy Lindsey Linda Lutrick Betty Litchfield Bobby Lawrence Sherrill Marks Kay McCoy Joe Mathews Jimmy McFarlin Joe Martin Marianne Morris Regina McLaurin Micky Miller Sissy McCoy Becky Miller Peppy Martin Denny Mullen Stan McNabb Janice Mayes Jeanne Murphy Wayne Morton Sherrod Milligan Meriam Neil Bonnie Nichols Marnee Ogden Wayne Pierce Bette Jean Penton Dale Phillips Terry Phillips Susan Pemberton Robert Pierce Wayne Pierce Tommie Pierce Virginia Pierce Robbie Pegram Patty Roc Ryan Marvin Rowe Colley Rhodes Corinnc Ryan Buster Roberts Linda Robinson .Merry Rouse David Ryan Robin Robirds Dottie Randolph Amelia Ruff Natalie Stone Judy Simmons Brenda Scott Robert Shamblin Marolyn Sizer Linda Smith Shannon Sellers Danny Stubbs Bobby Simpson Sam Stockctt Jack Stacy James K. Taylor, Jr. Bobby Thompson Perry Thomas Suzie Tuttle Mike Thomas Virginia Thompson Fred E. Turner Ricky Taylor Gary Taylor John Turner Blanche Thomas Sharon Terry Vicki Thompson D'Leesc Williamson Jan Wright Judy Wiser Bettye Lou Warren Lee Wood Mike Webb John David Wrather Jim Wright Eleanor Wright Eddie Wright Phoebe Wiley Butch White Sharon Webb Judy Wilkinson Barbara Whaley Jerry Yamcll Libby Young