EDITOR ’ S NOTE — Occasionally we get a letter which gives us that “ job well done ” feeling . The thought that we have played a part , no matter how small , in stimulating someone ’ s interest in this great breed is most important to us . If our efforts pay such rich dividends then we know in our own minds that it is all worth it . The following letter is reprinted for our readers with the though of encouraging everyone to continue to work for the advancement and prosperity of the Tennessee Walking Horse .
“ Gentlemen ,
We thought we would drop you a line to let you know the tremendous part that the VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse Magazine ” has played in Marcliff Farms becoming one of the vastest growing Walking Horse stables in the East .
A Hide over a year ago we purchased our first Tennessee Walking Pleasure Horse and ' also subscribed to the VOICE Magazine . After reading many interesting articles in the VOICE Magazine we became interested in show horses . In February 1966 we purchased our first show horse , an aged Gelding named PRINCE ROCKINGHAM . When the show season started in April we took our first ribbon with him at the Allentown , Pennsylvania show , and this really gave us the fever ! We showed this Gelding at every show within a 200 mile radius of our farm , and from April 15th to July 15th we were out of the money at only one show .
We then decided to branch out and made our first trip to Shclbyville , Tennessee , to look for some outstanding Walking Horses . On that trip we purchased a big brown gelding , who just turned three , and has his three gaits down to perfection . His name is SUN GLO ’ S BIG BOY and he is now in training with Mr . C . T . Lunsford of Shelbyville , Tennessee . He will be shown throughout Middle Tennessee this coming show season .
The other outstanding mare that we purchased was owned and bred by Steve Hill . She is sired by SUN ’ S EL DORADO and the dam is WHITE SENSATION . Her name is HONEY
GOLD II . This beautiful sorrell mare , with a strip and a mixed mane and
tail , has never been out of the money and she climaxed a very successful season by winning the blue in the Owner-Amateur Class at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania , competing against 23 of the top Walking Horses around today .
On our next trip to Tennessee in November , 1966 we were again able to purchase an outstanding gelding , by MERRY GO BOY , out of the dam DOSSNELL , named GO BOY ’ S AVA LANCHE . This gelding will be shown by Mary Weinstock this spring . He has a tremendous head shake with every step he takes . He has three beautiful gaits and when he goes running walk he is so fast he will make your eyes tear !
Again in December , 1966 on another trip to Tennessee , we were once again very lucky to be able to purchase one of the greatest four year-old mares around today . She has met and defeated some of the top mares showing today in Middle Tennessee . She has been shown under the name BILIS FASH ION LADY and is sired by MID NIGHT IKE and the dam is MARI- NELL . Application with the Breeders Association has been made to change this mares name to MARYS FASH ION LADY and she will be shown this coming season by Cliff Weinstock . She is a big black roan mare with a bald face and stands over 16-1 hands high . She has her three gaits down to perfection and when she starts her running walk she has such a stride and reach she will give you goose-pimples . She also has a beautiful high rolling canter and when she comes back to a flat walk she docs it like we all like to see it done , snappy and crisp .
Marcliff Farms is situated on a rolling hillside overlooking beautiful Lake Sheridan . From our training ring , which has lights so we can train in the evening , you can see this beautiful lake at the foot of the hill .
This spring my wife and myself will again be heading for Tennessee in quest of some outstanding brood mares and also a top stallion for our stables .
Around the 15th of December 1966 wc were fortunate in getting Station WICK from Scranton , Pennsylvania to come to our farm and tape a one-half hour show on Tennessee Walking Horses . During this program many items of interest were covered . Joe Dobbs , owner of the station , came up personally to supervise the taping of the show . During the course of events we put him on one of our Walking Horses and he just couldn ’ t believe the enjoyable ride . To quote Mr . Dobbs , he said , “ Anyone who can sit in a chair without arms , can ride a Tennessee Walking Horse ”.
We have received numerous phone calls since this program was on the air inquiring about Tennessee Walking Horses and we feel many more people in this area will be looking for and wanting Tennessee Walking Horses .
Once again we would like to thank the VOICE for stimulating our interest in Tennessee Walking Horses and we in turn hope to transmit this interest to other people .”
“ Gentlemen ,
Very truly yours ,
Mary and Cliff Weinstock Marcliff Farms Walking Horse Stables Rd . # 2 Nicholson , Pennsylvania
18446
In reference to the article “ MID NIGHT MACK K ” in the January , 1967 issue of the VOICE . We have long been fans of MIDNIGHT SUN and his offspring , MIDNIGHT MACK K . However , we do not understand this statement , and we quote , “ This horse has produced more Grand Champions than any other sire , including the late MIDNIGHT SUN .” Would you please explain this statement and give us a list of the Grand Champions sired by MIDNIGHT MACK K and a list of those sired by MIDNIGHT SUN .
We enjoy your magazine very much and impatiently await your answer .”
Dear Mr . Jackson :
Sincerely , Mr . R . Neal Jackson 916 E . Marable St . Monroe , Georgia Mr . Robert W . Mitchell , Jr . Gratis Road , P . O . Box 678 Monroe , Georgia
Thank you for your recent letter . We stand corrected . MIDNIGHT SUN SUN was the sire of 5 World Champions ( MIDNIGHT MERRY — 1949 , TALK OF THE TOWN — 1951 , 1952 ,
32 VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse