One of the old-timers around the Walking Horse scene in Texas is Mr . J . B . FLOYD of Denison . Mr . Floyd , whom we ’ ve known as a judge for some time , writes articles for the VOICE from time to time . He said he recently bought Kid ’ s Jetfire , a fine stud colt by Midnight Kid out of Olsen ’ s Lady , to share honors with his filly , Texoma Dancer , and show mare , Slippery Sylvia .
HERBY MURRAY ’ S big news was the recent sale of his Invasion ’ s Shadow by Go Boy ’ s Invasion out of a Bessie ’ s H mare , to Dr . M . H . CARRIER of Decatur , Alabama , through GEORGE WITT of Athens , Alabama . Herb says Dr . Carrier is showing this horse and doing quite well with him .
According to EDDIE MILLIGAN of Lake Dallas we Texans are just now getting Walking Horse shows started and he hopes to see more like the Stephenville Show in the future . Eddie is a young man who just started training on his own last September but already has a number of fine horses , some being shown now : Go Boy ’ s Strawberry , a three-year-old gelding that Eddie says has the " bloom and ambition ” to make a good horse ; Crystal Ball , a snowwhite two-year-old stallion that Eddie considers one of the most promising around , both owned by Mr . and Mrs . O . R . LATHROP of Frisco , Texas ; Blue Bonnet ’ s Pride , owned by KATHIE and LAURIE HUM PHRIES of Dallas ; Goodbye Charlie , owned by Mrs . BETTY ALMOND of Dallas ; Happie ’ s Black Go Boy , a black stallion owned by Mr . FRITZ LYONS of Dallas ; and Eddie ’ s own Earthshaker , a beautiful palomino .
I had been corresponding with Mrs . GEORGE MOORE of Shreveport , Louisiana and looking forward to meeting her and her husband in Marshall . She introduced me to Mr . and Mrs . EUGENE R1ALL of Blanchard , La . who told me about their recent show , sponsored jointly by Blanchard Kiwanis Club and Vaqueros Riding Club . Plans are to make this show an annual event . Results of the W ' alking Horse Classes in this show are elsewhere in the VOICE .
One Saturday recently we spent the afternoon at the Sundown Stables in Garland , visiting with Dr . J . BYRON LANDRESS , owner , and G . W . ( DUB ) IVINS , manager . We were pleased to learn from them that the Garland show , a one-night affair , will be held September 18th with approximately the same classes as last year — Walkers , gaited horses and jumpers . Dr . Landress may be contacted for further information at 705 Walter Reed , Garland , Texas75040 .
Dr . Landress explained the point system of the Texas Walking Horse Association , of which he is president . He told me that points are keps on Texas-owned horses ridden by amateur Texas riders in Texas shows and only in shows which have at least five Walking Horse classes . There are eleven different categories in which high-point trophies will be awarded following the last show , which he believes will be the State Fair of Texas show in October . He will be glad to answer any questions concerning this point system .
Dub says he has some horses in training well worth watching : TOM CLAY ’ s Glory ’ s Day and Ace ’ s Merry Legs ; WAYNE DAVIS ’ mare Sunset Flame ; and Dub ’ s own Mack ’ s Mercy Go Boy and Mack ’ s Jr .
Walking Horses West
By Virginia Lamb
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The term " Walking Horses West ” can mean many things to different readers . To me it means two things : ( 1 ) that Walking Horses are moving west in greater numbers all the time ; and ( 2 ) thatthe Walker is adopting western ways and becoming a western horse . No longer is the Walker just for the idle rich show-minded people : the horse has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the breed is as versatile as the day is long , and can be ridden in any manner which the rider chooses . It ’ s seldom you hear anyone say , " I ’ d like to own one , but I can ’ t afford a show horse ” or " Sure , I like the Walker , but you can ’ t ride him western !” These are terms of the past . Today you hear such statements as , " That ’ s the best western pleasure horse I ever rode ,” " I never knew English pleasure to be so easy to ride ,” or " Anyone can own a good Walking Horse .”
I am not a true Californian . My pappy was born in Tennessee , my mother in Arkansas , and I came from Gideon , Missouri . I have lived in California most of my life , however , so I can almost be considered a native . Because of this , I grew up around western horses , namely the quarter horse , so I always rode a western saddle . I still do . When I was a youngster , my biggest ambition was to own a registered quarter horse . When I was old enough to work at just anything , I saved my money and , with the help of my mother , bought a little grey quarter-type mare for $ 150.00 . As broke as we were , that was a lot of money . I bought , sold , and traded for a long time , bringing up the grade of horse I owned , . until one day I was able to buy my registered quarter horse . He was a beautiful claybank gelding , light palomino in color , with bright red mane and tail , star , and two hind socks . He was a colt . I raised , broke and trained him , and turned him out to winter pasture where he grew and grew until he reached the height of 16-3 hands . I kept two horses almost all the time so that I could take someone riding with me . Therefore , I have owned almost every breed of horse , both grade and registered .
( Continued on page 12 ;
20 VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse