There is also a good human interest story behind the negotiations required to buy this horse from his previous owner , Mr . A . S . DEAN of Murfreesboro , Tennessee . Mr . Dean , who has raised many top horses including Sun ’ s Delight , had reportedly decided not to let this potential World ’ s Champion slip away from him for any small sum . The story goes that he had placed a no-bargaining price of $ 75,000.00 on Johnny Midnight and that more than one Walking Horse enthusiast had tried to buy him for less . Assured of Mr . Dean ’ s reluctance to take less for this noble steed than the reported price , Mr . Gribble and Mr . Eaton began a bargaining session that lasted for almost a month . Finally , in the wee hours of the morning of January 25th , they were able to work out a purchase agreement that reached the highest figure ever paid for a saddle horse that was not a World ’ s Champion . The price , as reported , was $ 60,000.00 .
Both Larry Gribble and Thomas Eaton had known Sam Paschal for some time , and on the outset of their efforts to purchase this horse they were also talking with Sam about the prospect of showing him . Sam , who reportedly took a year off in 1964 to rest and concentrate of his new brood mare farm in Murfreesboro , had decided to try once again to get a top horse and try for the " big one .” There were several people trying to get Sam to take their horses for the 1965 season , but when the smoke cleared and all the arrangements were made , Sam ended up with the one horse he really wanted most , the great Johnny Midnight .
Barn talk is cheap , and a person can get as many different opinions regarding a particular horse as there are horses , but when the name Johnny Midnight comes into the conversation all talk takes on a different note . Almost everyone agrees that " here is ahorse that has the makings of a World ’ s Champion .” When discussing their personal reasons for wanting Johnny Midnight , both Larry Gribble and Thomas Eaton express their approval in different ways . Larry says , " I think he is the most ideal Walking Horse ever foaled . Everything is perfect .” Mr . Eaton states , " He is simply a model horse . That ’ s all there is to it .” Perhaps they are biased in their opinions , but talk with anyone about him and they will all indicate that Johnny Midnight will be a horse to contend with .
Combine the tremendous natural ability of this horse with the well-known training ability of Sam Paschal , and a real threat is in the making . Sam , who doesn ’ t mince words when discussing a horse , says , " He is as good as any horse I have ever had at this time ofyear . He is a true three-gaited Walking Horse and , given a little more time to smooth him out and teach him some manners , we should be able to do a pretty good job in the show ring . I was personally surprised at his speed and his willingness to go on once we got collected . I think he was a bit sour when we first got him , but he is getting fat and is full of pep now .” Needless to say , Sam won ’ t even guestimate when he will show him first . One thing is certain : when this team hits the show ring , they will be ready !
Owners Thomas E . Eaton , who is in the Real Estate business , and Larry Gribble , who is a Pre- Vet Senior at Middle Tennessee State University , are both active in other areas of the Walking Horse business . Mr . and Mrs . Eaton have nine brood mares , and have two two-year-old studs in training with DON PASCHAL . Larry Gribble , who says he has been involved in some sort of horse business since he was a youngster , has 42 brood mares , including eleven Old Merry Boy mares . Neither has owned what they consider a " top horse ” before ! Where do they go fromhere ? The next five months will revolve around the care , training and promotion of one Johnny Midnight . After that ? Probably the retirement of the horse , and his career as a stud . After all . . . win , lose , or draw , Johnny Midnight is still one of the most outstanding Tennessee Walking Horses ever , and from him will come many of the Champions of the Future .
MURRAY FARM SALE HIGHLIGHTS SPRING ACTIVITY IN WALKING HORSE WORLD
The 1965 Spring Murray Farm Sale , April 29 , 30 , and May 1 , will probably break all records for the Walking Horse breed . In their continued efforts to be of genuine service to the entire Walking Horse Market , owners S . W . BEECH and PETE YOKLEY , who purchased the property and rights to the Murray Farm Sale last year , have made many innovations and changes in the farm grounds that should make the 1965 sale the best ever .
There are more horses by number than ever before . More top horses are scheduled to go on the block ( Triple Threat , Go Boy ’ s Scooter , Go Boy ’ s Millionaire are well worth mentioning ) than ever before . Better facilities Eire now available in the way of a new sale tent foundation , new stables and other buildings . All this . . . plus the generations-old attraction of the famous " sale ,” will add to the luster and excitement of the " Nation ’ s Oldest Walking Horse Event .”
From coast to coast , Walking Horse enthusiasts will pour into the small town of Lewisburg , Tennessee . Some will come to sell ! Many will come to buy ! And all will come to be a part of the threeday activity that will see the nation ’ s finest stock change hands . From the moment the hammer falls and the first horse enters the big tent to the time that the final horse is sold , itwill be a time to remember for Walking Horse lovers . Be there if you can , and " Let ’ s keep Tennessee green . . . bring money !” See you there !
APRIL , 1965 5