PROFESSIONALS on PARADE >
by SHARON TERRY
ROBINSON FAMILY — Mrs . Carol Robinson , four year old daughter Beth and Nell as they pose for a family portrait .
A young trainer devoted to his horses . . NEIL ROBINSON
Neil Robinson , full time trainer for the Jeffcots Stables in Cordova . Tennessee , was born in Walking Horse country , As a youth in Humboldt , he developed an early interest in horses and his interest never waned . It eventually passed from casual interest to a professional career . It has thus far been rewarding for him .
Neil ’ s career as a trainer began around the age of 15 when he started working for Dr . H . G . Barker of Humboldt . His first activities consisted of breaking colts and working a few horses in his free time — after school , on Saturdays , and during the summer .
At the ago of 17 with a lot of experience in the saddle , Neil tied third in the Walking Pony Class at the Celebration . The pony was a black stallion named , DARK DAWN , owned at that time by Dr . Barker and later sold and taken to California .
The outstanding mare , GO BOY ’ S HURRICANE , now owned . by Mr . Fred Fowler , was broken by Neil for Dr . Barker . Neil showed this fine horse very successfully as a two-year-old and three-year-old . She was later sold to . Mrs . Florence Bishop in California .
In 1961 Neil and Miss Carol Grey Barker were married . Carol is a great horse lover ( many will remember her showing out of her father ’ s stable in Humboldt ) and she is a big help to Neil at the shows . It is only natural that their four year old daughter , Beth , shares their love and understanding of horses . Beth is already active in the horse world . She owns her own pony , named BUCK , and she says she wants to trade him for a pony that will have a colt . She is dreaming of the day when she will have a horse that can do the flat walk , running walk , and canter . With Neil as her coach , that time should not be far away .
Success opened its doors to Neil in 1963 . He was training for ' Merry Acres Stables in Cordova at the time and his pride and joy was SUN ’ S JOE DIAMOND , bay two-year-old gelding owned by Mr . and Mrs . Roy Hamilton of Memphis . Neil and SUN ’ S JOE DIAMOND climaxed a victorious show season at the Celebration where DIAMOND was rightfully crowned World ’ s Champion Two-Year-Old Gelding .
In October of 1964 Neil went to work at the Jcffcoat Stables , also in Cordova , where he is presently located . There he took over the operation of Jeffcoat Stables as well as working outside horses . During the summer of 1965 Neil did very well with TEMPTATION ’ S TAMMY , an aged marc owned by Nick Douzanis of Memphis .
The summer of 1966 was an outstanding season for Neil . SUN ’ S STRADIVARIUS , the Jeffcoats ’ black twoyear-old stallion , took many blues all over the Mid-South . Under Neil ’ s capable hands he will be ready to meet many lop opponents as a three-year-old this season . MIDNIGHT MONA LISA also won her share of blues as a two-yearold and three-year-old and she keeps right on improving . These two young horses serve as a sample of Neil ’ s dedicated hard work and the results prove his ability .
SORREL SHADOW , also owned by the Jeffcoats , is not to be forgotten . Fie is an aged stallion who holds his own in any show ring .
Neil has a right to be excited about the 1967 show season for he has a top string of horses . Along with last year ’ s horses , this 26 year old professional is working a fine looking GO BOY colt the Jeffcoats bought from Stanley McNabb through the Murray Farm Sale . Neil wasn ’ t satisfied until he had this futurity colt , named GO BOY ’ S RENDEZVOUS . He is really an eye catcher — a big , loose , bay colt and is really a top prospect . Neil is working several other two-year olds , including two by EBONY MASTERPIECE . Other top show horses as well as his outside horses round out his show string for 1967 .
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20 VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse