1968-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1968 July Voice RS | Page 12

Last year T BIRD began the year as strong as ever
against Junior competition and made a truly great
exhibition at the Rossville Horse Show to give his
supporters hope that 1967 was T BIRD’S year. How­
ever, some of the later shows by the horse were not
up to par and rumblings began to emerge that some­
thing was wrong with the horse.
In the stallion preliminary at the 1967 Celebration,
T BIRD was obviously way off form and made per­
haps the worst show of his career, tying ninth. Billy
brought him back in the Championship Class and the
horse was just as poor and did not even get a ribbon.
Many reasons have been forwarded for his poor
showing, including physical injury, over-work, and a
host of others. Most knowledgable horsemen agree
that he was pushed hard and reached his peak in
July rather than September.
Following the Celebration T BIRD was cut down and
turned out to rest for the first time since he was
started in training. Billy Brantley moved to Mobile,
Alabama in November of 1967. at which time Diana
and Jim Babb moved to Chattanooga and leased
Battleground Stables.
In mid-February, after talking to several trainers,
Billy Robinson decided to place T BIRD with Jim
Babb, and keep him close to home. Jim has brought
T BIRD along slowly, and at Gainesville, Florida, his
first show of the year, everyone was convinced that
there was "new thunder in that of BIRD.” So far in
1966 T BIRD has been shown five times and each
time he has won the BLUE. He has been shown in
Florida, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Both Jim and
Billy are pleased with his progress.
Jim’s plans are to show T BIRD a few more times
and then have him at his peak the first week in
September.
Several individuals are interesting in buying TBIRD
since his comeback this year. The offers are being dis­
cussed but no definite action has been taken.
One of the major things that Jim feels has helped
the horse was the extended rest following last year’s
Celebration. Jim does not say much about the cause
of last year’s poor showing, pointing out that he is
interested in the future.
■ ,hP
third
year
row that
T BIRD
has
This “
th®“
cover
of in
the a VOICE.
Billy
Robinson
graced tne _onfldence in his horse alter the victory
had so much
mbia Spring .jubilee that he reserved
at the 1900
three years on the spot. He has not
the covers lo
hig horse and points out that
been disappo
manv victories ol his horse over
he has enjoyed t
asing T BIRD in 1963, Billy
the years, c
g enter the showing on 34 occasions
haUn61l Celebration appearances. His horse has
including
.
{rom the ring on 26 occasions and
emerged second four times. This is an enviable record,
to say the least.
strong horse with a beautiful bay
T B1RD 1St„ated by his black mane and tail. The
color accent
picture on the front cover vividly
unretouched a
9 and ability far better than any-
illustrates ms Dectu •>
thing we:might-say.
teful for the support and en-
Billy Robl”b
horse has received this year from his
“Si'S, up lb.
°[
WALKING HORSE
DISPERSAL SALE
of
R. J. HOLLY
ANNISTON, ALABAMA
on
MR. HOLLY'S FARM
Located 78 East Oxford 1 mile east of
Holiday Inn.
Friday, August 9,11 A.M.
MARES * COLTS * YEARLINGS
COVER PHOTO AVAILABLE
FINISHED SHOW HORSES
SUITABLE FOR FRAMING
The beautiful unretouched full color action pic­
ture of BIG SHOT'S T BIRD on the front cover
of this issue is being made available by photog­
rapher Chuck Layton. A 16x20 original color print
suitable for framing can be ordered from Mr.
Layton for $29.95. Only a limited number of
prints are available.
The Great SOCIETY BEAU
Will Be Sold
A limited number of consigned horses will be
accepted for this sale, for information contact
Mr. R. J. Holly, Box 248, Anniston, Alabama or
Eddie Bryant, Lewisburg, Tenn.
Send check or money order to Sale Conducted By Ed Bryant
CHUCK LAYTON Realty Auction Co.
2208 S. Holtzclaw Avenue
CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
Lewisburg, Tenn.
Phone [phone]
Eddie Bryant and John Pierce, Auc tioneers
12
Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse