1964-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1964 March Voice | Page 6

"PREACH"
FLEMING...
BLUEGRASS NATIVE TURNED
TENNESSEAN BY
WALKING HORSES
PROFESSIONALS
^ on PARADE
-SB*
By Gloria L. Spencer
Henry H. “Preach” Fleming of
Orlando, Florida, is one of the most
dedicated individuals now showing
Walking Horses. He and his entire
family approach the show horse
business with unusual enthusiasm.
During the winter months the
Fleming family resides in Orlando
where “Preach” is full-time trainer
for Mr. R. D. Keene, owner of Pine
Acres Stables. After the Florida
Sunshine Circuit is completed the
entire family moves to Tennessee
(horses and all) where, as he puts it
“the competition is greater but the
rewards more plentiful.” Keynote
of the Fleming personality is his
straight - forward approach to
people and problems, especially
those connected with the horse
business. He has a reputation for
seeking no favors in the show ring,
insisting that the most important
thing is that a judge tie horses the
way he sees them and be consistent
in the way he ties them.
FLEMING FAMILY — Tim 16, Joe 13, “Preach” and Mariam — a family that
has learned to share their interests.
Anyone meeting “Preach” Flem­
ing will immediately be impressed
with his friendliness, a trait that is
shared by his entire family.
“Preach” is a big man with a big
handshake and a warm smile, and
he makes one feel welcome to the
Florida Horse Industry. He is a
relative new-comer to the Horse
Show World, compared to most
trainers, but he has trained and
shown horses since boyhood for his
own personal enjoyment.
“Preach” was born in the Blue-
grass region of a state famous for
fine horseflesh, Kentucky. He was
raised on a farm in the Western
portion of the state and there be­
gan riding horses in his boyhood.
After finishing school in his home
community, he had his early years
of farming broken up by World
War II. When he had completed
serving two hard years in the
Aleutian Islands, “Preach” return­
ed to his native Kentucky and to
the farm life to which he was ac­
customed.
In 1946 “Preach” married Mariam
Slayden, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
C. M. Slayden. They started their
married life in West Kentucky on
a 1,000 acre farm on the Ohio River.
“Preach” says, “that was the
natural thing to do.” He spent most
of his time riding Walking Horses
while looking over the herd of
white-face Herfords, or just riding
for pure enjoyment. There was
somethings missing, however —
the show horse gaits that he had
grown acustomed to as a boy.
After 13 years of farming,
“Preach” had the opportunity to
place his farm in the soil-bank, so
he made the decision to start train­
ing horses professionally. In July,
1959, he, Mariam, Tim and Joe
moved to Orlando, Florida, to train
for Pine Acres Stables. Mr. J. C.
McKellar, Mr. C. E. Bradshaw and
Mr. R. D. Keene were the owners
of this stable, but soon after Mr.
McKellar’s death, Mr. Keene
bought complete interest in the
stable and is now sole owner.
“Preach” says that he has learn­
ed a lot about show business since
he came to work for Mr. Keene. He
values highly the type of horses
that Mr. Keene has purchased for
show purposes and feels that this
is of great importance. “Preach”
gives much credit to Jack Warren
and Harold Wise for their help
during his first years as a trainer.
“Preach” recalls his biggest thrill
was showing MARKS SUNDUST
two years ago. This stallion was
purchased from Bud Dunn as a
two-year-old. He was shown by
“Preach” ten times as a Junior
6
VOICE OF THE TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE