By Ashlea Wheelon
Wintertime in the walking horse industry always brings the anticipation of awards banquets, barn parties and new purchases for the up coming season.
The 1993 Junior World Grand Champion Ebony’s Threat’s Professor and new owners Dr. and Mrs. Bob McCloy announced their World Grand Championship goal for the 1994 season under the continued direction of Ronald Young. This talented stallion had been the source of much talk since he was a two-year-old.
Stripper's Finale was purchased by Filbert and Rhonda Martocci of Windward Manor Farm in Franklin, Tenn. Janice Glovan from Homestead, Fla., was the previous owner of this talented gelding. After purchasing their new gelding the Martoccis sold Strike It Gold to Barbara and Burl Dale's Springdale Farms in Boca Raton, Fla., and Linville, N.C. Strike It Gold remained in training with Wallace Brandon Stables located in Franklin, Tenn.
After many wins during the 1993 season, Pride's Hard To Tell was purchased by Mona Dean of Clayton, N.C., from Mr. and Mrs. James Witty of Woodbury, Tenn. Hard To Tell was previously trained by Knox Blackburn of Franklin, Tenn., but was moved to trainer Ronnie Spears of Tullahoma, Tenn., after the purchase.
Formerly trained by Ralph Chaffin Stables, A Touch Of The True Master was purchased by M & M Stables of Cookeville, Tenn., to be shown in the amateur ranks by Mary Tinch and in the open competition by Marshall Tinch.
After working hard all summer the winter is a time to be rewarded. E.T.W.H.A. held their annual banquet. This time it was held in Gatlinburg, Tenn. After dinner President Al Hinchey started the awards. Forty plus awards were given throughout the evening.
Upper Cumberland honored their year's best at Nick's Restaurant and Lounge in Cookeville, Tenn. Kathy Owen of Murfreesboro, Tenn., was the big winner once again. She collected four awards during the night.
The Kentucky Walking and Racking Horse Trainers Association gathered for a festive evening. Rodney Dick was awarded Trainer Of The Year. 1994 was exceptionally special for Dick who took Dawn's Walking Blue to three World Championships for the Robert Pollack family of California and also gained notoriety for the performances of another Pollack entry, two-year-old Pusharama.
The Pony Express Circuit honored award winners at the Gold Buffet in North Kansas City, Mo. Twenty high point awards were given out by President Tony Crump. In the walking division, Scrivner Stables of Strafford, Mo., was the leading winner with nine awards followed by Jerry Manes Stables of Stoutland, Mo., with six awards. Ending out the evening were two special awards for the overall high points. The two horses to receive this honor were Gen's Golden Star and Lightfoot Lady Diane.
J & H Stables colt preview is always the place to be to find some great two-year-old prospects. The annual event is held in Russell Springs, Ky. Over 400 people attended, and over 102 colts were exhibited inside. Three colts were sold at the preview. Pride's Night Prowler was by purchased from C.A. and Tommie West of Adairsville, Ga., by J & H Stables. This colt was trained by Sand Creek Farm of Shelbyville, Tenn. Papa's Smurf was purchased by Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Sisk of Columbia, Tenn., to be trained by J & H Stables. This two-year-old was formerly owned and trained by Loid Farms of Bowling Green, Ky. Neon Moon was selected by Chad Baucom, of Monroe, N.C., and was previously owned by Rora and Jackie Brown of Glasgow, Ky.
The annual Gamble Farms/Dick Peebles Stables preview kicked of the new year with a New Year's Day barn party and preview. This allowed people to see some of the industry's top up and coming two-year-olds.