1968-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1968 December Voice | Page 18

A brief rundown of the personnel of the Montgomery
Southern Championship Horse Show clearly indicates
the calibre of this annual event. Now in its twelfth
year, the show was run by Mr. H. O. Davis, President
of the Southern Championship Horse Show Associa
tion, Inc. It is billed as a ''charity” event but we have
no specific information as to the charities which bene
fit from the income derived from the show. With over
eight hundred horses entered, Mrs. Ruth Bowers did
her usual excellent job of managing the show and Mr.
Emmett Stone ended his year with a fine job as Ring
master. With Jimmy Richardson at the console and
O'Neil Howell behind the mike, entertainment and
conversation were at their best.
We were pleased to see a marked increase in at
tendance this year over years past. On Saturday
night there were at least five thousand people in the
Garrett Coliseum and basic attendance had been fair
ly good all week.
We hate to end such a fine show on a sour note,
but it becomes more and more obvious that this show
is "to much" for one judge, regardless of how capable
he may be. The last three years have seen much
confusion and discontent develop because of mixed-up
numbers, extended classes that were worked entirely
too long, and several cases of "questionable ties,”
simply because one man cannot be expected to effect
ively tie classes with twenty-five, thirty and, in some
cases, over forty horses in contention. Our judge this
year was Mr. Rex Watts of Hickory, North Carolina,
who did a commendable job under the circumstances.
No one can dictate to show management, here or
elsewhere, what they can do with regard to their indi
vidual show, but we strongly suggest that, in the best
interest of the Southern Championship Horse Show,
they consider having three judges next season for
Walking Horse classes.
There were too many fine horses and too many
great classes to elaborate on each in an article such
as this. Take our word for it . . .it was a great horse
show! Complete results are elsewhere in this issue.
AUSTINS HOST PARTY FOR HORSE
SHOW ENTHUSIASTS AT MONTGOMERY
The residence of Dr. and Mrs. B. F. Austin became
the gathering-place for many Walking Horse enthusi
asts after the Friday night performance at the Mont
gomery Southern Championship Horse Show. Mrs.
Ruby Austin, who is the sister of former Alabama
governor "Kissin’ Jim” Folsom, is well-known through
out the South as a hostess, and her beautiful ante
bellum style home has welcomed the elite of the Ala
bama social register for many years.
Her Friday-night party was the result of an im
promptu gathering the previous evening that led this
charming and gracious lady to invite the whole group
over for a breakfast and entertainment after the show.
Always eager to be entertained, a large group was
soon in the making as Walking Horse enthusiasts
rallied to her invitation. Live entertainment was furn
ished by Mrs. Austin’s daughter, assisted by David
Mason and Benvis Beachboard. Her daughter is a
very good guitarist!
ROYAL HEIR RETIRED AT MONTGOMERY
The popular 1968 World Grand Champion Tennessee
Walking Horse, GO BOY'S ROYAL HEIR, was officially
retired at the Montgomery Southern Championship
Horse Show on Saturday night, November 16. With
Donald Paschal in the saddle, the fancy black stallion
made one of the finest "final performances” that we
have seen in years, and his owners have reason to
be proud
Dr. and Mrs. Claude Sexton, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis
Williams and Candace were all on hand for the retire
ment and Candace led the champion out of thh ring
for the last time with the horse wearing a mantle of
roses that carried his name and title . . . one that we
shall never forget. We hope to have pictures and a
complete story on the retirement ceremony next month.
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Above — Mrs, Austin is pictured with part of the crowd that gathered at her
home after the Friday night performance at Montgomery. Her daughter and
David Mason provide entertainment.
Below — A comfortable setting is
provided for everyone at the party as the evening turns to morning.
Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse