Kicking off the new year was the 1st Annual Blue Ribbon Two-Year-Old Sale. Held January 11 at the Murray Farm Sale Pavilion in Lewisburg, Tennessee and co-managed by Ray Beech and Wink Groover, it marked the first time since 1989 in which a sale solely restricted its entries to two-year-olds.
Twenty-seven promising fillies and colts were put on the auction block, with the top five sellers averaging an impressive $ 10,250.
Heading the list of top sellers was the talented filly, Beam’s Heartstopper. Sired by Pride’s Beam and the former property of Jimmy Williamson and Wink Groover, this beautiful black displayed her talents to the sale audience with Wink Groover at the reins, who was the agent for the new owners.
Jubilee’s Dimples, the Pride’s Jubilee Star-sired property of Bob Parks and presented to sale audiences by Thomas Seymour, attracted a plentiful supply of prospective buyers and active array of bids before the final hammer fell, making her the property of well known owner Jeff Gamble. Billy Gray assumed her training duties following the sale.
Other top sellers included Lola’s Pride, consigned by Bill Redman and purchased by Albert and Brenda Caudle; Lady of Paradise, consigned by Dr. Andrew Sisk and purchased by Bobby Williams; and royal Mr. Threat, consigned by Hidden Acres Farm and selected by Wayne Abee.
The 18th annual Colts of the Future sale hosted 55 consignments ranging from two-year-olds to broodmares on January 18, 1992 at the Middle Tennessee State University Livestock Pavilion in Murfreesburo.
Co-sale managers Ronnie Spears and Steve Aymett reported that of 55 consignments, 39 acquired new homes with several more selling after the sale.
The top five selling entries sold for an average of $7,300 and was headlined by the top seller, Thistle & Shamrock. Sired by Solidarity and out of a Sun’s Delight mare, this talented black three-year-old mare was consigned by owner Ken Shrum and presented through the sale by trainer Jeff Givens. Howard and Betty Robins of Dacula, Georgia became the new owners and Steve Aymett the receiving trainer.
In the number two position was the leg waving two-year-old stallion, Gen’s Hammer Time. This Tony Yokley consignment, sired by Pride’s Generator and out of Senator Misty Morn, became the new property of Mr. and Mrs. Rocky Flanagan of Savannah, Tennessee.
Rounding out the top five sellers was Bold Girl, consigned by Formac Stables and purchased by Mike Thomas of Knoxville, Tennessee; Eb’s Shooting Star, Consigned by Looking Glass Farm and purchased by Nelson and Tina Thompson of Harrodsburg Kentucky; and Better Than Gold, consigned by Howard Hamilton and purchased by Gus King of Arab, Alabama.
The last weekend in January is when Walking Horse enthusiasts gather at the TSE Tattersalls sale pavilion in Lexington, Kentucky for the Kentucky “after” Christmas Sale.
Co-sale managers Jerrold Pedigo and David Landrum announced a top five sales average of $32,750 and a top ten average of $24,110. In addition, the number of no-sales was at an all-time low.
Topping the Spotlight portion of the sale before a standing crowd was Generator’s Dynamite. Consigned by C.A. Baird, presented by trainer David Brown, and purchased by California’s Bob Pollack. Dynamite’s training duties were assumed following the sale by David Landrum Stables.
Heading the two-tear-old portion of the sale and in the number two position overall was the talented filly, Ultra’s Bright Delight. Selected by Tommy and Martha McGee, she was presented to Kentucky audiences by Sand Creek Farm.
Other top sellers included Mark’s Threat, Second Opinion, Walk on the Wild Side, Jubilee’s Thunder, Montana Mountain, Spirit of Evil Knieval, E.T.’s Classic Pride, and Power’s Fashion.
January 26-27 marked the dates for the first horse show of the season, the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show. In it’s 96th year, the Stock Show is a huge extravaganza highlighted by a world-class rodeo and over 17,000 head of livestock. The Stock Show also enables Walking Horse exhibitors to strut their stuff before an audience of up to 10,000 people.
Customers and horses from Mitch Taylor Stables and Backward S Ranch accounted for 16 of 20 possible blue ribbons.
Heading up the championship stake action was Blaze of Lightfoot and trainer Billy Young for owners Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Sherman of Backward S Ranch.
Notable winners from Mitch Taylor Stables included Amateur Grand Champion Mr. Ultra Brite and Karen Inman, Amateur Specialty Grand Champions Slam’s Mardi Gras and Sandy Bleeker and Juvenile Grand Champions Gen’s Country Girl and Chris Warley.
With the begging of the new year, the Walking Horse industry saw an increase in sales activity. As the national news media focused on the recession and the failing economy, the Walking Horse industry continued to thrive.
Perhaps the biggest sale to take place in January was that of Wired. The 1991 Reserve World Grand Champion was purchased by Gamble Farms from Parks, Benefield, and Dempsey, and it was announced that he would be campaigned towards the 1992 Amateur World Grand Championship by Shari Gamble under the direction of Dick Peebles/Gamble Farms.