A WMA Stages Annual School and Show
AWHA BANQUET . The dignitaries of the American Walking Horse Association enjoy the banquet between sessions in their annual school and show . President E . Carl Hengen and his wife are pictured in the middle .
The American Walking Horse Association School and Show reached new heights this year with one of the finest presentations in its sixteen year history . The cool and damp weather took some of the lustre away from the show but everyone on hand would gladly go back for more of the same .
Dr . Robert Womack from Murfreesboro , Tennessee , did an outstanding job in his dual capacity as judge and instructor . At the annual dinner Dr . Womack delivered a stirring address that had the crowd calling for more .
This year ’ s program got underway on Thursday night , May 4 at the Quentin Riding Club in Quentin , Pennsylvania . A reception and cocktail party was held and spectators and exhibitors at the annual clinic spent their time getting re-acquainted and discussing their early season show activity . The crowd left the party early in order to get some rest before the next day ’ s activities .
Friday was devoted to instruction by Dr . Womack , H . Karl Yenser and Dick Coffman . Practically every phase in the care and showing of Tennessee Walking Horses was covered and the crowd responded to the educational presentation with many earnest questions and intelligent comments . Demonstrations were given in each of the various gaits and a very enlightening discussion of Equitation by Mr . Yenser was well received by all .
On Friday evening the President of the Association , Mr . E . Carl Hengen , held the annual reception followed by dinner and the address by Dr . Womack . Afterwards a
question and answer session w-as held with the various
44 professional trainers answering questions posed by the crowd . Music and dancing ended the night ’ s activities on an entertaining note and left the participants ready for a night ’ s rest before the big show the next day .
Dr . Womack ’ s speech combined humor , history , and candid comment in enviable fashion . Topics of discussion included the “ big lick ,” a comparison of horses in the north and south , some of the legentary names in the annals of the Tennessee Walking Horse , the humble beginnings of the breed , and what the future holds for the Walking Horse .
The horse show was scheduled to start early on Saturday but cold and rain caused a delay until around noon . Twenty-two classes were scheduled with twelve Walking Horse classes being featured .
The first class in the ring featured the junior horses . The winner in this fine class was Ernest Bugg on IKE ’ S PLAYBOY . Ernie did a fine job exhibiting his horse on the muddy track in capturing the top spot . The reserve winner was SUN GLO ’ S BIG BOY with Albert Davis doing the riding . Keeping the pressure on the top two horses and tying third was LITTLE JOE with Bill Sloat up .
In the mare class Jeff Brener and MIDNIGHT PER FECTION took the blue ribbon with a steady showing over some tough competition . The number two spot was awarded to MISS TREVA and Barbara Corbett while the third place tie went to SUN ’ S SPRING QUEEN and Linda Hallman .
AWHA SCHOOL . Mr . E . Carl Hengen and Bob Womack answer questions from the crowd at a session of the school . A orough discussion of the Tennessee Walking Horse was presented .
VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse