1968-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1968 November Voice RS | Page 43

KENTUCKY
CELEBRATION
DRAWS
RECORD ENTRIES
Kentucky is best known for the
thoroughbred horses that it produces
and the rolling bluegrass in the pas­
tures where these magnificent ani­
mals roam. The Tennessee Walking
Horse is a relative newcomer to this
"horsey” state, but it is making
giant inroads into the attentions of
horse-minded Kentuckians.
This is not to say that the Walking
Horse is challenging the thorough­
bred for leadership in the state, but
the recent Kentucky Walking Horse
Celebration strongly indicates the
increased popularity of the breed in
Kentucky.
The Kentucky Celebration was de­
layed this year due to a fire which
leveled the original site of the show
in Shelbyville, Kentucky. However,
Kentucky Association officials, head­
ed by Forest Margrave, quickly went
to work and held the show October
11-12 in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
It was a great job by show officials
considering the obstacles that had
to be overcome.
The difficulties surrounding the
show did little to hamper entries as a
total of 279 horses competed in 19
classes, an average of just over 14
horses per class. The first two clas­
ses of the show attracted the largest
individual number of entries with 27
horses competing in both the Two-
Year-Old Stud & Gelding Class and
the Amateur Stud & Gelding Class.
Rain dampened the enthusiasm of
some exhibitors and spectators, but
quick and effective action by the
show committee kept the show ring
in good condition although the use
of a grader was required. It was not
the nicest looking ring, but the foot­
ing was in reasonably good shape.
The judges for the show were all
native sons and included Gene Kel­
ly, S. Fort Mitchell, Ky.; John Waller,
Winchester, Ky.; and Junior Gordon,
Harrodsburg, Ky. These men were
far apart on their cards in a number
of classes and showed a tendency to
tie Kentucky owned and/or ridden
horses. There were complaints from
several quarters but their job was
generally considered satisfactory.
The show was sponsored by the
Kentucky Walking Horse Associa­
November, 1968
tion and they again did a fine job.
Forest Margrave headed up the ac­
tivity and is deserving credit in large
measure for the success of the show.
This association has done a great
job in promoting the Tennessee Walk­
ing Horse in Kentucky. They have
worked diligently and unselfishly in
their efforts to popularize the breed
and their efforts are reaping tangible
benefits for our breed. Other states
would be wise to follow the leader­
ship of this association; it just takes
time and effort with a little financial
backing to make genuine contribu­
tions to the future of the Walking
Horse.
The battle for honors in the pro­
fessional classes was close, with Bob
McQuerry and Charlie Martin both
winning three blue ribbons. The other
four blues were won by C. A. Bobo,
Carl Young, Bill Bailey and Charles
Baily.
Winning the largest number of rib­
bons in professional classes was Bob
McQuerry, with seven ribbons. C. A.
Bobo won five, while Charlie Martin,
Charles Baily, Tom Cottle and Bill
Sledge each won four.
The Amateur honors were dominat­
ed by Dee Dee Saufley of Stanford,
Kentucky, as she won three of the
five ribbons awarded in this compe­
tition. The other two blues were tak­
en by Sandra Wilson and Henry
Wilhoit.
The Grand Championship of Ken­
tucky for 1968 was awarded to MID­
NIGHT RAMBLERand Bob McQuer­
ry despite a dramatic bid by Bill
Bailey on MAGIC’S L M. Both of
these boys are from Kentucky so
there was little chance of the honor’s
going outside the state. Third place
in the competition went toSUN DUST
PRECISION and C. A. Bobo. Charlie
is now training this horse for open
competition. PRECISION was for­
merly with Bud Dunn.
The Amateur Championship Stake
was won by Dee Dee Saufley on
TOM THUMB, her third and most
important blue ribbon of the show.
The reserve was pinned on WICKED
WITCH and Herb Roberts with MID­
NIGHT IMP and Sandra Wilson
rounding out the top three. It was an
evenly contested class and saw some
of the best horsemanship of the en­
tire show.
The Junior Championship was one
of the most hotly contested classes
of the entire show with Bob McQuer­
ry and HI HAT’S WORTHY BOY
taking the title over the highly re­
garded SUPER SPORT, Bill Sledge
up. Berry Coffey, 1967 National Cel­
ebration judge, tied third on SUN
DOWN’S LAST CHANCE.
The Two-Year-Old Championship
was won by Charlie Martin on EB­
ONY’S BLACK SON. Charlie won
the stud class preliminary the pre­
vious night and brought this fine-
looking prospect back in even better
form. Reserve went to DELIGHT’S
SULTAN and Bob McQuerry.
AMERICA’S FINEST SOURCE FOR WALKING HORSE EQUIPMENT
We would like to take this op­
portunity to congratulate Donald
Paschal on being the first winner
of the Annual National Bridle
Saddle Award for his outstand­
ing victory at the Celebration.
This award is our way of saying
"Thanks” for the very geniune
contribution that the profession­
al trainers make to the Walking
Horse industry.
NATIONAL BRIDLE SHOP
LEWISBURG. TENNESSEE
43