Way Down South by Janie Bramiett
19th Annuai Germantown Charity Horse Show
36
Highlight of Walking Horse activity in our part of the country was the recent 19th annual Germantown Charity Horse Show . The show was managed by John and Ruth Bowers of Destin , Florida , and was held June 14 , 15 , 16 and 17 . Beautiful weather and plenty of good horses made this one of the most successful shows that this classic Memphis suburb has ever held .
The Hon . Wink Groover of Etowah , Tennessee , did his usual fine job of judging the Walking Horse classes . The number of top trainers and horses who participated was a credit to Mr . Groover ’ s ability and he certainly had his hands full from start to finish .
The Germantown Show is a well established event and it has all the qualities of a top show . Organist Carrie Neal Foy , a popular favorite everywhere , added much to the show as she put on her usual great performance . Announcer O ’ Neal Howell did an unusually fine and enthusiastic job behind the mike and kept the show moving well . Steward Emmet Guy handled the rules and regulations department and when called upon for an opinion managed to give it with authority and diplomacy .
Highlight of this fine show was a two-horse workout in the Walking
Horse stake between GO BOY ’ S FLY ING CLOUD , with Ronnie Spears up . and MIDNIGHT HAP with Jimmy Waddell riding . Mr . Waddell made the maximum effort to put his showring experience to work for him but FLY
ING CLOUD was obviously not imoressed . Ronnie had planned to make this “ the ” show in which he would find out just how much his hoisc could do and he found out that I ' Ll - ING CLOUD could and should be ranked with the best . CLOUD was the big winner of the Florida Circuit this spring and has won some top Middle Tennessee shows . He is a good three gaited Walking Horse with plenty of action and motion .
The mare class saw another top horse come to the winners circle as Jimmv Waddell made a great show on SHADOW ’ S BLUE ANGEL lor Mr . and Mrs , Carl Jones of Jackson , T pnnpccpp
The Junior Walking Horse stake found two World Champions , the ENTERTAINER and GO BOY ’ S BIG SHOT , meeting for the first time this season . Both of these fine fouryear-olds are considered to be top contenders for Junior honors this year . Judge Groover , intent on seeing more of this contest , called for a two-horse workout . Joe Webb on the ENTER TAINER showed what championship stuff is made of and showed just enough of his horse to win the blue for Dr . and Mrs . Porter R . Rodgers of Searcy , Arkansas . It was a good workout !
Neil Robinson pulled a “ rabbit out of his hat ” with SUN ’ S STRADI VARI US , a top three-year-old . Most observers noted that he was considered a good horse but in this particular class he struck a note that could mean he could be a serious threat in the Three-Year-Old Championship . He is owned by Jcffcoat Stables and shows great improvement over last year .
The Two-Year-Old class produced some fine horses and after a brisk
workout , Jimmy Holloway on SUN ’ S DIXIE DELIGHT was declared the winner . Not to be overlooked however was GO BOY ’ S RENDEZVOUS , a big lick bay colt that reminds many observers of BIG SHOT ’ S T BIRD as a two-year-old . Neil Robinson has done well with this stallion and could upset some top colts this year .
MERR \ MELINDA , with owner Brenda Bramlett up , added yet another blue to her growing list of conquests as they walked right into the winner ’ s circle during the Juvenile Class .
i cur ivurjmson , riding his well-kn GO BOY ’ S FANCY PANTS , took honors m an action packed Ama Class . 1 his big hay stud can go pi with the best of them and is a , sis tent winner of amateur classes
Complete results arc reported ■ where in this issue .
Death of Bob Thomas Saddens Walking Horse World
The Tennessee Walking Horse world was shocked by the recent death of Mr . Robert Thomas , long-time Publicity and Public Relations Director of the Celebration , Incorporated , in Shelbyville , Tennessee . Thomas , a Shelbyville businessman , died Friday , June 30 , in St . Mary ’ s Hospital in Knoxville after suffering a heart attack .
Mr . Thomas was born in Bedford County , attended the old Tate School in Shelby ville , and was graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1928 .
He was President of American Hosiery Mills of Tennessee . Inc ., and was a partner in Lewis-Thomas Furniture Store in Shelby ville . He participated in many areas of civic activity and was a past President of the Shelbyville Rotary Club .
In the Walking Horse business he was best known for his many activities surrounding the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration . He had been Director of Publicity and Public Relations for this civic enterprise for many years and was well known for his diplomacy and popular manner in dealing with the many problems surrounding this annual event .
Our sympathy goes out to his family and many friends , as we know he will be missed . The Walking Horse business has lost a dear friend .
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