A number of other horses are in training at Valley View Stables and everyone over that way is urged to stop by and see some of this fine stock . Everett welcomes visitors anytime and there are always plenty of good horses to be seen .
Herbert Smith Stables
A good way to spend an enjoyable evening is at the Herbert . Smith Stables in Rosewcll , Georgia , Herbert encourages people to come by and there is always plenty of hot coffee and friendly horse talk going on .
Herbert has a top horse in PIDDLEY ’ S SECRET . 1 his big bay stud knows what this walking is all about and he is eager to show judges . Also MERRY MAKER ’ S ACE is doing quite well . This fine looking roan stud has ability and conformation which would please any judge , no matter how particular .
Many amateurs come to Herbert for advice and he is excellent at helping these people . He is most anxious to be of assistance to amateurs or professionals . If you get a chance ., it would be well worth your while to stop by the Herbert Smith Stables .
Leech Stables
One thing you can say about the Leech Stables is that it is '“ cairn and quiet back in them hills ”. Just a short way from Winchester , where there aren ’ t any cathedrals ) heading West , you will find the stables of Marianne and J . T . Leech . Located on the old Auburn Gray Farm , where Mr . Gray still oversees much of the activity , they have 20 horses in training , j . T . Leech , who made Walking Horse news last year on SUN ’ S CREATOR as a two-year-old , is coming out again this year with some top young stock . They have a sorrel MIDNIGHT SUN stud colt belonging to A . A . Mabus of Phillips . Mississippi , that is coming on strong . Thev have pair of black EBONY MASTER PIECE fillies that , are exciting a lot of visitors . One belongs to Mr , C . Patton of Hales Corner , Wisconsin , and the other belongs to the Leech Stables . Both arc above average and have the potential to make top showring performers . They are also worked up about a chestnut filly by SUN ' S DELIGHT that is owned by E . C . LaCarcc of Si . Louts . Missouri . INVASION OVER , the black Junior stud that Marianne showed ' so well last year is coming on in fine form as . an aged horse . He has made a lot of improvement since
last year and has filled out a lot to become a real threat in Open Classes . Watch for this top team this year . Marianne will be back in the saddle again for owner Mr . B . Earl Bucket of Pulaski , Tennessee . j . T . Leech reports that he is well pleased with the progress that SUN ’ S CREATOR has made and that he expects ‘‘ big things ” from him as well as SUN ’ S MAGIC MAKER . Owned by Mr . Mabus , MAGIC MAKER is a junior stud this year . CREATOR is owned by Mrs . J . W . Tolbert of Waukcusa , Wisconsin .
Jimmy Gray Stables
Several years ago , one of the most popular professional trainers and exhibitors around the Middle Tennessee basin was Mr . Jimmy Gray . The son of Auburn Gray and born with Walking Horses in his system . Jimmy trained and showed . Walking Horses for many years . He has been inactive , as ‘ a trainer for about ten years , concentrating on brood mares and colts .
Three years ago , however , he took a fine marc to Hailinsdale Farms and requested that Mr . Hayes breed her to the stallion that he felt she would cross best with .
The following year his mare had a fine looking colt by SUN ’ S BIG SHOT . Jimmy was attracted to this black stud colt because of his bloom and extreme natural ability and decided not to sell him for awhile . As time passed Jimmv became more and more interested in him and as a two-vear-old decided to break him under saddle . As time went on , even he was surprised . This colt turned out to be “ that something special ” that comes along once in
a lifetime .
He is now a three-year-old and is getting a reputation without ever being in the showring . Around Middle Tennessee , whenever anyone starts talking about “ top horses ”, someone will invariably ask “ have you seen that black three-year-old stud over at Jimmy Grays ?”. If they haven ’ t seen him by that time , you can bet that they will soon beat a path to his stable just to take a look . Few people have ever seen him work . Jimmy doesn ’ t like crowds , but from what we saw in the barn , there hasn ’ t been anything around to compare with him in a long time . jimmy is still raising colts and is expecting a good crop again this year . He is concentrating a lot , however , on Ins black stud even though he doesn ’ t know yet just what he will do with him . He has been offered a lot of money for “ half of him ” but says that he believes he would be better off to keep all of him or none at all . Don ’ t try to get Jimmy to price him because he won ’ t do that . If the right person comes along , with the right trainer , Jimmy just might sell him .
We have heard tell of people who would “ pay the price to get a top colt ” . . . well here he is . Just drop by the Jimmy Gray Stables off highway 50 from Winchester . You will be pleasantly surprised .
Alabama Trainer Takes New Bride
George Witt , top trainer and owner of the George Witt Stables in Athens . Alabama , was married recently to Evelyn Borden . Evelyn is from Florence , Alabama . The ceremony took place January 14 .
George has trained sonic of the top horses showing in the Walking Horse industry and is known for the fine shows he consistently makes . The VOICE staff would like to extend our congratulations to Mr . and Mrs . Witt and wish them much happiness in the future .
Mistaken Identity for Merry Go Midnight
A printers error in the November 1966 issue of the VOICE erroneously listed Vcrd Walker as the owner of MERRY GO MIDNIGHT . This fine breeding stallion is still owned by Mr . and Mrs . S . L . Weidner of Coeur d ’ Alene , Idaho .
In the article , “ Verd Walker — Western Pioneer of the Walking Horse Breed ”, a caption on page 25 erroneously called MERRY GO WALKER by the name of MERRY GO MIDNIGHT . As we all know , MERRY GO MIDNIGHT is not out of the West Coast but rather in Idaho .
The VOICE regrets this error on the part of our printer and wishes to emphasize to Idaho breeders that this fine stud is still available in this part of the country .
Ray Green Stables
We had an opportunity to spend some time with Ray and Ruth Green of Rockville , Missouri , recently and learned that Ray is now working out of a brand new stable . Considered to be one of the fine trainers of the business , Ray has worked in many parts of the country . His last employment was at the Red Bridge Stables in
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