Convention
The Walking Horse Owners’ Association held its annual convention February 14-15 at the Nashville, Tennessee Airport Marriott. This was the first time WHOA had chosen a Middle Tennessee location for its convention, and the decision proved a good one as the association saw its largest ever turnout.
The first order of business at the General Membership and Board of Directors meetings was to announce that Wayne Henry had been reelected to the president’s post. Marie Brundige, John Eldridge, Ronnie Spears, Ron Sharp and Robert Whitmire were all reelected to three-year terms on the WHOA Board of Directors, with Judith Burgess the only new three-year member.
Reports on WHOA’s financial status, the new Register Of Merit (R.O.M.) Program and the Judge’s Committee were positive.
In addition to the General Membership and Board of Directors meetings, a Plantation Pleasure Seminar was also conducted. A panel comprised of Mag Ranft, Julie Szymanski, Marilynne Orr, Roger Hand, Bill Reed and Chairman of the Pleasure Horse Committee Jean Baum broke the Pleasure horse into seven categories. Films were viewed to enlighten the audience about the criteria that is expected of the seven different divisions of Pleasure horses.
The annual dance closed out the weekend of activities and lightened the mood as many danced beyond the midnight hour to the sounds of a sensational band.
The highlight of the weekend, however, was the dinner and presentation of the National High Point Awards. With the concept of the National Horse Show Commission now being the sole governing body for the industry, the National High Point Awards have gained in prestige.
Topping the list with nine High Point wins and three end-of-the-year honors were the horses and customers from Ramsey Bullington Stables. Within the Bullington line-up, the Bob Parks Family was the big winner. Bob Parks himself was voted Amateur Sportsman of the Year, while his mount, Jubilee’s Rising Star, was voted Amateur Horse of the Year. In addition, this duo claimed high point honors in the Open Amateur and Amateur Stallion and Gelding divisions. Bob’s other mount, Jubilee’s Star Wars, topped the Three-Year-Old Amateur High Point division.
Oldest son Newton and his horse, Pride’s Mr. Strideaway, championed the Juvenile 12-17 division, while Strideaway himself was voted Juvenile Horse of the Year.
Trainer of the Year honors were awarded to Bud Dunn, while Dark Spirit’s Rebel was voted Aged Horse of the Year for owners Mr. and Mrs. Frank Neal.
Accumulating the most points (1545) to be named Overall High Point Walking Horse was the Plantation performer, Pride’s Foolish Pleasure. Owner/trainer Linda Smith accepted the award.
Auction
Rounding out the activities in February was the Murray Farm Sale in Lewisburg on the 29th. The sale featured the absolute auction of Barbara Harvey’s Shady Oaks Farm. The highly regarded breeding stallion, Pride’s Sunrise, ranked as the top selling entry of the day. The sire of What A Sunrise and Impressive Sunrise, this beautiful stallion was purchased by Ken Willis. His son, a two-year-old full brother to What A Sunrise, The Sun Riser, filled the number two position and became the new property of Joanne Curred.
With 100 entries filling the sales agenda, sale manager Ray Beech reported a top five average of $14,760, while the top ten boasted an average of $9,760.