1969 Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1969 February Voice RS | Page 3

THE WINNER—This old photo from a 1956 issue of the Walking Horse Magazine show GO BOY'S INVASION with George Witt up as he was crowned World Champion Two Year Old Walking Horse at the Celebration. show horse he had amassed a follow­ ing comparable to any of today’s top horses. The team of George Witt and INVASION was considered almost unbeatable in open competition. Whenever the fancy bay stallion hit the showring the crowd came to life. They knew they were going to see a horse show! As the Celebration progressed that year, the tension built up toward the popular Aged Stallion Class. INVAS­ ION was in perfect shape and trainer Witt had honed him to a razor-edge for the big one. In two grueling con­ tests that bordered on tests of en­ durance, GO BOY’S INVASION was tied Reserve in both the Stallion Class and the big stake in 1959. In the Junior Championship in 1958, he had roundly defeated the horse that won the 1959 stake. Not to be denied, George Witt took aim at the top Celebration honor for the coming year and went through the season undefeated. As the big show rolled around, GO BOY’S IN­ VASION was again a favorite. He was bigger and stronger as a five- year-old but, as fate would have it, he tripped on a bottle and pulled a tendon in a workout just one day prior to the Aged Stallion Class at the Celebration in 1960. He was not shown that year and was retired to the George Witt Sta­ bles to stand at stud. For three years he was one of the most popular breeding stallions in the Deep South area. Recognizing his potential as a prime breeding horse, Vic Thompson purchased GO BOY’S INVASION in 1964 and moved him to Stallion Stables in Shelby ville, Tennessee. He February, 1969 attracted much acclaim for several years in Middle Tennessee and his reputation both as a show horse and as a producer prompted Dr. and Mrs. James A. Johnson of High Point, North Carolina to purchase him to headline a major breeding program for the Carolinas. In January of 1968, GO BOY’S INVASION was moved to North Car­ olina where he shortly became the most sought-after stallion ever to come to this part of the country. While discussing the background of GO BOY’S INVASION, we were prompted to ask thequestion, "Is one more ribbon really so important?” Had GO BOY’S INVASION received the nod that eventful night in Shel- byville, Tennessee, he would still be the same horse, not one hair would have been different. He would still possess the same natural ability, the same bloom and beauty and the same potential as a great breeding horse. The only difference would have been that he would be a five-time world champion instead of a four-time world champion. "Is one more rib­ bon really so important?” Dr. and Mrs. James A. Johnson don’t think so! To back up their be­ lief, they have invested in a major breeding facility on their Shadow Valley Farm in Hi gh Point, North Carolina and are on the way toprov­ ing that "champions beget champ­ ions” even if they did miss one rib­ bon. They had a fine first season last year and have made arrange­ ments for even more business this season. Mr. Kenneth Lamb is their stud manager and he comes well recommended for his new job. They have abundant pasture for brood mares and have the facilities and personnel to do the job. They are very much aware of the fact that "It is not how many mares you breed — but how many colts you get” that counts, and they intend to do everything possible to see that everyone has an opportunity to have a colt by their 4-time World Champ­ ion ... GO BOY'S INVASION. Since he was retired in 1960, GO BOY’S INVASION has sired a host of top colts that are now all over the country. Names such as INVAS­ ION'S PERSUASION and INVAS­ ION OVER come to mind when we think of his get. Make a note and whenever you see the signature "In­ vasion” on the name of a horse, you can bet that he is by GO BOY’S INVASION. PROUD DAY FOR JOHNSONS—Dr. James A. Johnson and Mrs. Billie Johnson are pictured on the day that they purchased GO BOY’S INVASION from Mr. Vic Thompson of Shelbyville, Tennessee. o