June 2010 - TWH Heritage Society

Heritage Highlights
Published By: TWH Heritage Society
Volume IV
Number 6, June 2010
Thank you to Pamella Blakeney for the lovely
photo used in this month’s header. Pamella’s
husband, Jerry took this photo of the Texas Blue
Bonnets in bloom.
good pleasure stock from stallions bred for the
padded show ring, this filly had no Midnight Sun
blood and very little Merry Boy blood, being a
blend of the Clark’s Red Allen line with lines to
Wilson’s Allen and Hunter’s Allen F-10.
Billy Taylor wrote in with a correction to last
month’s article on Red Bud’s Angel, aka Miss
Pris:
Last One was broke to ride and use, like the
other Oliver mares, then entered the broodmare
band in 1982. Leon’s brother Steve was standing
a dark bay stallion at the time called Mark’s
Cracker Jack. Cracker Jack was sired by Mark of
Merry Boy, and out of a mare going back to
Rhoda Allen.
“Danny didn't breed Lucy Sue's Angel to Red
Bud's Rascal, Miss Pris was a few months old
when Danny purchased her and her mother.”
A DIAMOND SANS SOLEIL by
Franne Brandon, Petersburg,
Tennessee
Sunless Heritage Mare Mark’s Diamond
#883383
The little red foal was one lucky as well as
unique filly. She arrived, sorrel with both hind
socks and a blaze that widened to cover the area
between her nostrils, on August 1, 1988. The
next day, August 2nd, her mother, Lonesome
Ann, died. Breeder Leon Oliver, who had
acquired Ann from the estate of his late Uncle
Sammy Clark, put the day-old filly with his old
Racking Horse mare to see if she would foster
the youngster. Merry cooperated, and the red
filly survived. Because she would be the last
daughter of Lonesome Ann, a daughter of Red
Bud Allen and a mare by Wilsons Prowlin Pete,
Leon registered the filly as Lonesome Last One.
Lonesome Last One was uniquely bred in the
pleasure walking horse world of 1988. Her sire
was Leon’s twenty-one year old stallion Red
Bud’s Rascal, sired by Red Bud Allen and out of
Merry Man’s Starr. Ann, her dam, was also by
Red Bud Allen. In a time when most pleasure
breeders were seeking spots or aiming to get
One of the few photos there are of Mark’s
Cracker Jack
Last One’s first foal was a colt that arrived in
1983. Four years later, she was again taken to
Steve Oliver’s bay stallion, and in the spring of
1988, produced a bay filly which Leon registered
as Mark’s Diamond. Leon remembers young
Diamond as “a pretty mare that moved good.”
After she was weaned, he sold her to Norman
Hunley of Greeneville, Tennessee. Tragically,
the following year, Steve Oliver lost Mark’s
Cracker Jack. The very successful cross could
not be repeated again.
Mark’s Diamond was not broke to ride by her
new owner, who valued her as top breeding
stock. Instead, she was trained to be “broodmare
gentle”, easy to manage in hand, quiet around a
farrier when being trimmed.
Mark’s Diamond & Leon
When Mark’s Diamond was three years old, she
met her first stallion. It was the Sun’s Delight D.
son, Delight’s Desire, a bay stallion. The result
was a chestnut colt which Hunley registered as
Desire’s Hidden Agenda. Over the next four
years, she continued as part of the Hunley
broodmare band at River Ridge Farm. After
producing sorrel River Ridge Tess, sired by
chestnut Mountain Magic, an Angel’s Go Boy
grandson, she foaled a bay colt named River
Ridge Rowdy Yates, sired by black Sonic Boom
Sensation, then River Ridge Half Moon and
Diamonds N Dreams, full siblings by Beam’s
Ebony Man. In 2002, Norman Hunley dispersed
many of his horses. At that time, Leon Oliver
traveled to Greeneville, Tennessee, and returned
home to Brown Shop Road Farms with Mark’s
Diamond. The mare had come full circle.
Back at Brown Shop Road Farms where she’d
been foaled fourteen years previously, Mark’s
Diamond presented Leon Oliver with a bay filly
by River Ridge’s Beam’s Ebony Man. Leon
registered this foal as Ostella’s Lonesome Ann,
in honor of her second dam. From then on,
Diamond became part of the court of Oliver’s
popular grey stallion Buds Sterling Bullet. Her
foals by him include Ostella’s Diamond Ann,
Ostella’s Diamond Crystal, Ostella’s Mark of
Bullet, and Ostella’s Birdie Mae. With the
exception of the bay filly Birdie Mae, the other
siblings all inherited their sire’s striking grey
color.
Today, and for several years, Diamond’s
beautiful grey daughter Diamond Crystal has
been Leon’s personal trail mare. They have
logged many miles on the local trails, along with
those at The Circle E. at nearby Winchester,
Tennessee, and the more distant East Fork in
Jamestown, Tennessee. Both the Circle E. and
East Fork have been locations for the annual
Bullet Trail Ride, where most participants are on
Bullet offspring. Diamond Crystal has proven
that, even though her dam never had a chance to
wear a saddle, Mark’s Diamond has the genetics
to pass along her stamina, strength, and
wonderful walking gait to her offspring.
Diamond Crystal has also done a little showing,
impressing the judge with her beauty, style, and
superbly timed flatfoot and running walks.
Leon on Ostella’s Diamond Crystal at the
Circle E, Fall 2008
The Annual Bullet Ride from John Oliver,
Belfast, Tennessee
Leon, Crystal, & Buddy Oliver at Circle E
“The annual spring Bullet ride moved from East
Fork to a new location this year. We went to
Catoosa Ridge in Crossville and I have to say it
was a great improvement. East Fork is ok but
very over rated and way over priced, in my
opinion. The campground at Catoosa Ridge was
excellent and the trails were great for a pleasure
ride. I did manage to get lost on Saturday
evening but it turned out ok. We left camp again
and rode to the place I intended to come out at.
The camp itself it a smaller place with 28
electrical sites and 3 cabins to stay in which are
furnished nicely. The stalls/barns are great as
well and they have covered and concreted wash
bays too! The trails are nice and shady with
plenty of access to water if it’s hot. I would
highly recommend this place to anyone who
wanted a nice relaxing weekend. There were
several of people there but I don’t have an exact
count. The Benefields came up from Georgia,
and the Knoxville bunch was there and of course
the ultimate party animal – Leon, Tod Finley,
me, my dad Buddy Oliver all came up from here.
It was a great time and we are looking forward to
next year and the fall ride which will be at Circle
E in Belvidere, Tennessee. Anyone wishing to
join us there Oct. 15-17th needs to get their
reservations in. The more the better !!!!”
Headed for the trail!!
Currently, Sunless mare Mark’s Diamond is
open. The dam of ten foals, however, she has
gifted her offspring with a unique heritage of
walking horse bloodlines that are no longer
commonly found in the breed. As the twentyfirst century progresses, these offspring and their
owners will carry the responsibility of preserving
these lines and continuing to offer some genetic
diversity within Tennessee Walking Horse
pleasure strains.
Leon Oliver
Teresa Benefield
Left to right: Tod Finley, Vince Benefield,
Teresa Benefield
One of the stream crossings on the trail
Buddy Oliver
On the bridge – Vince & Teresa Benefield,
Tod Finley
From Deb Rash, Chino, California
“Melanie won the Mare’s Halter class and won
the Halter Championship class at the All
Western NPWHA show held in West Covina,
CA . She was a very good girl and I was very
happy with her behavior too, since she hasn't
been out much. I think we are going to an all
English show for PWHA in Vista, CA on June
27th.”
From Sue Brunsting, Valley Springs, South
Dakota
“Twenty six residents and guests from the Sioux
Falls Good Samaritan Center, came to a "Horse
Show" in the barn at Valley Springs Farm on
June 2, 2010. They were treated to a
Thoroughbred jumping demonstration, a
costume horse (NFF Wilson's Royal Affair) and
a Tennessee Walking Horse demonstration, also
using Royal and ridden by Molly Brunsting.
(without the costume).
This is the third year the event has been held and
a fun time was had by all. Valley Springs Farm
is owned by Denny & Sue Brunsting. Sue
volunteers at the nursing home and enjoys
coming up with fun things for the residents to
do.”
NFF Melanie Wilson & Josh Kempke
Sue Brunsting with NFF Wilson’s Royal Affair
Great job!!!
From Franne Brandon, Petersburg,
Tennessee
From Mike Davis, Wabasha, Minnesota
Mike sent some great photos of his grandkids,
Mortimer, age 6, and Moxie, age 7, with his colt
by Slush Creek’s Jubal S. out of Copy’s Magic
Hour. The kids live in Winona, Minnesota.
Future third generation horseman Hunter
Brandon has his first riding lesson with second
generation side walker Adam Brandon (dad) and
horse handler Kristi Brandon Griffin (aunt).
Moxie posing with the new foal
Providing the ride is 22 year old Heritage
gelding Mark's Little Jack. Hunter is the
grandson of first generation horsemen Harry and
Franne Brandon.
Bob Long, Fayetteville, Tennessee
Bob emailed to say he’s been doing the tail hair
check on Leon’s mares and so far has hit 100%
on sexing the foals before they are born! Good
job, Bob!
Mortimer says Hello!
From Bill & Julie Scott, Warrens, Wisconsin
This is Echo at two weeks old (out of Gen’s
Aristocratic Belle, sired by NFF Wilson’s Society
King)
He is so full of himself!
Mike and his colt
Belle is an affectionate mom
Handsome dude
From Deb Zaktansky, Watsontown,
Pennsylvania
“Was trying to get some new pics of Storm when
Katie had to stick her head in, wanted her share
of attention. Trying to get updated pictures since
all shed out and not sun faded yet. Was cloudy
today so didn't show how shiny they are. Pic of
Diamond, dam of Storm too, hard to get her
color as camera not getting the dappling very
well.
Last newsletter was good, liked article on Miss
Pris and her descendants.”
Storm with Katie looking over his shoulder
Ostella’s Diamond Ann
From Stephanie John, Kermit, West Virginia
“I know I just recently sent you pictures of
Buddy my Bullet son but I took some more the
other day and they are good too. He is starting to
dapple out with gray through the black which is
exciting to watch! I thought I would send you a
few more. He is doing so well with training too. I
hope to have him pretty much under saddle by
this fall. Can you tell I love my Bullet baby??
Well he isn't a baby anymore but he has my heart
and he does everything I ask of him. I can see
now why Bullet foals are so sought after!
I hope your spring is going well. Here in Kermit,
WV we have went from cool and rainy to hot
and humid. Seems we missed the nice spring
weather. Well at least it is better than snow and
ice!”
My New Horse, Smokey by Elin Motherhead,
Murrieta, California
“I bought Smokey (Sun’s Smokey Spirit – sired
by Sun’s Smokey Midnight) six days before we
went camping with our horses to Lake Cuyamaca
in the back hills of San Diego County. I had time
to take him on trail twice at home before our
camping trip. We both were a little nervous at
first but we both calmed down quickly for an
uneventful ride near our ranch.
Smokey is six years old but took the activity of
22 other horses and their owners at camp like a
seasoned veteran. One of my photos is with a
friend (on left) who has a similar colored horse.
We might ride in our 4th of July parade as
"Twins".
Pauline on Mystery (left) and Elin on Smokey
We are really enjoying this horse. Our grandkids
just met him and he is very responsive and
affectionate with everyone. His attitude and trust
in people is a testament to his former owners
loving care and to his ancestry to the older
foundation Tennessee Walkers like Lucy Sue's
Angel, Angels Go Boy. Faulkner's Flame and the
Wilson’s Allen line.”
Elin on Smokey
Smokey
From Karen Graf, Park Falls, Wisconsin
We are in the process of putting up a new kennel
and a barn. Right now we are getting the prep
work done with a bulldozer. We had to shorten
the horses’ fence so the bulldozer could work.
Here Toby is checking out the new fence.
Is it safe?
NFF Society’s Tobias Gray (NFF Wilson’s
Society King x Rascal’s Favorite Lady)
Yep! They are leaving too. A mother black
bear and her yearling cub.
Toby is a two year old Heritage TWH.
He spins and takes off to the other end of the
pen with a "Holy Crap" look.
From Sandra van den Hof, Hechtel, Belgium
“I promised you last year to make some decent
pictures of Boomtown’s Lucky Strike. She is the
black mare. The bay mare is Bullet’s Secret
Affair (outcross, sired by Buds Sterling Bullet).
We gave the horses a bath this weekend and I
made the pictures. Oscar wanted to take over but
I refused to let go of the camera!”
Bullet’s Secret Affair, aka, Secret
Boomtown’s Lucky Strike
Lucky Strike, aka Spirit
Secret is an experienced mare both on the rail
and trail. She was shown several times, has given
demonstrations on events, and is our favorite
lesson horse. Many people had their first
experience on a gaited horse on her. Here is the
ad on my homepage:
http://www.pleasuregaits.com/Forsale.htm
From Nard Bailey, Alturas, California
From Billy Taylor, Winchester, Tennessee
“It took about 15 min. and the pups settled down.
Iceman stayed about 2 hours eating it was a good
day of dog training and horse washing.”
“I went on a trail ride June 10 at Deep South
Outdoors, it is a 15,000 acre tract of mountain
land located at Keith Springs Mountain and
owned by Joe Carter. Three of my friends and I
rode for approximately five hours. We
rode down the mountain along a cove for several
miles and then came back up to the top of the
mountain and ate lunch near a clear lake, then
rode along a bluff area back to our trailers. An
annual riding permit cost fifty dollars, the only
time riding is prohibited is during deer and
turkey season.”
Iceman’s first bath of the season
Getting ready to head out
He’s still wet, but clean!!
Billy & Echo’s Midnight Wilson
Young puppies meeting Iceman for the first
time
“You guys have taken this news letter to a
magazine of professional ranks. Great articles and
nice pictures and nice looking horses. The one horse
that caught my eye from the picture is Wilson's Dan
Oliver. Where is he? Who is the sire and dam? How
old is he? If I didn't have back problems I would be
looking at buying this horse from the picture. But old
age and my quiet life style my whole life is taking its
toll for things like riding. Anyhow keep up the good
work.” “Duke” Schultz, Winona, Minnesota
Echo’s Midnight Wilson
Billy writes: “Echo's Midnight Wilson is my
gelding. He is seven years old and is by Society's
Dan Allen and Sun's Midnight Bonnie, a
Midnight Sun granddaughter that died in 2007.
He is a good mountain horse with lots of
endurance, he can go all day long.”
Our Readers Write
“Wow! 28 pages! Twice as long as my online U.S.
News & World Report! I may have to save part of
this newsletter for a rainy day! hahaha!! I really liked
Franne's story! Especially since she included Lucy
Sue's Angel - Tweak and Elly's grandma.
I'm going to forward the newsletter to Cathy and to
Dick and Sue since I wrote about them. Hopefully,
they won't want royalties! HAHAHA! They might
get a kick out of Eek mowing lawn too.” Joan
Hendricks, Owen, Wisconsin
“Thanks for another good newsletter.” Pamella
Blakeney, Woodville, Texas
“I love the newsletter.....I always feel so 'Walker
blessed' by reading it. I realize that I have found
a lot of good friends and a way of being, just by
having a TWH.” Martha Clausen, Boise, Idaho
“What a great newsletter, so much info, loved the
babies and YouTube connections. I want to buy all
the Echo babies; I love my Echo so much that I feel
like I need more of him. Last week had him going so
nice his butt was swinging; he was just motoring so
well that I was laughing as we were going, he was in
full swing and he's looking great, farrier says you'd
never know he had a mild founder once. Of course in
spring he is very chocolate looking, always turns this
color with his sorrel mane and tail, looks cute.
Thanks for the great newsletter.” Peg McCreery,
Yardley, Pennsylvania
“Thanks again for sending me the monthly
"Highlights". As usual, very nicely written and fun to
see the new foals!” Sandy Almo, Lonedell, Missouri
The Stork Report
Meet NFF Society’s Noble Traveler, born on
May 27 to NFF Angel’s Lucky Star and sired by
Society’s Duke Allen. He is one week old in this
photo. Traveler is priced at $1500. Contact Diane
at northern_foundations@yahoo.com.
Congratulations to Barb Paynton of Alberta,
Canada on the birth of this lit up sabino filly
Heritage Outcross. Her sire is Slush Creeks Jubal
S., dam is Mist My Chance. She was born on
May 28.
NFF Society’s Miss Fiona, born on May 31 to
Storm’s Maude, sired by NFF Wilson’s Society
King. Thanks to Karen Graf for this great photo!
Miss Fiona is not being offered for sale at this
time.
This maximal sabino colt has a medicine hat. He
was sired by Society’s Dan Allen, out of Royal’s
Merry Dee. This Heritage Outcross is being
offered for sale by Billy Taylor and priced at
$1000. Contact Billy at 931-967-9621 or email:
Confederatehills@wmconnect.com.
Sorrell colt sired by Society’s Dan Allen, out of
Echo's Midnight Angel. This Heritage colt is
being offered for sale by Billy Taylor and priced
at $1500. Contact Billy at 931-967-9621 or
email: Confederatehills@wmconnect.com
Heritage filly by Bud’s Sterling Bullet, out of
Red Bud’s Lovely Lady. She is being offered for
sale by Leon Oliver
Chestnut filly sired by Society’s Dan Allen, out
of Royal's Queen of Fashion. This Heritage
Outcross is being offered for sale by Billy Taylor
and priced at $1000. Contact Billy at 931-9679621 or email:
Confederatehills@wmconnect.com.
Heritage colt sired by Bud’s Sterling Bullet, out
of Ostella Reese’s Red Rose. Colt is being
offered for sale by Leon Oliver. Contact him at
(931) 293-4156 for more information. UPDATE:
This colt has been sold and will be moving to
Florida!
Black filly sired by Society’s Dan Allen, dam is
Sun's Midnight Rena. This Heritage filly is being
offered for sale by Billy Taylor and priced at
$1500. Contact Billy at 931-967-9621 or email:
Confederatehills@wmconnect.com
Bay sabino filly by Sun’s Smokey Midnight, out
of Echo’s Lady Bug. This Heritage filly is being
offered for sale by Billy Taylor and priced at
$1500. Contact Billy at 931-967-9621 or email:
Confederatehills@wmconnect.com
Heritage Outcross colt by Bud’s Sterling Bullet,
out of Ostella Silver Lady. Colt is being offered
for sale by Leon Oliver. Contact him at (931)
293-4156 for more information.
NFF Society’s Mustang Sally arrived in
Wisconsin on June 7. She was born to Ostella’s
Della Rosebud and sired by Society’s Duke
Allen. This Heritage filly is being offered for
sale priced at $1500. Contact Diane at
northern_foundations@yahoo.com.
The Sales Barn
Bullet’s Secret Affair, aka Secret
Heritage outcross filly by Bud’s Sterling Bullet,
out of Marie LaVoe. There’s a chance she might
turn gray or roan. Her dam is a true roan. She is
being offered for sale by Leon Oliver. Contact
him at (931) 293-4156 for more information
This mare is being offered for sale by Sandra van
den Hof of Hechtel, Belgium. Secret is an
excellent Heritage Outcross who has been used
for many years as a lesson horse for beginner
riders. She has paid her dues as a lesson horse
and it’s time for her to find her special family so
she can hit the trails. Contact Sandra at
info@pleasuregaits.com for more information.
Congratulations to Sandra Bullins, Altavista,
Virginia on the birth of this palomino filly, Red
Bud’s Fancy Chance, sired by NFF Wilson’s
Society King, out of Chance’s Genarose.
Roc's Midnight Moon (Storm) #20903293
Storm is a black colt foaled 5/28/09. Both sire
and dam are used as pleasure and field trial
horses and have proven their gait and
dispositions there. Storm has a real nice natural
gait and a pleasant willing disposition too. Sire
is NFF Echo's Blue Moon and dam is Ostella's
Diamond Ann. May Heritage newsletter has info
on Blue Moon's lines. Dam is by popular
Heritage sire Bud's Sterling Bullet and out of a
Mark's Crackerjack and Red Bud's Rascal dam.
Many proven Heritage sires are in Storm's
pedigree including Paige's Echo, Red Bud's
Rascal (top and bottom), Bud's Sterling Bullet,
Mark's Crackerjack, Ebony Masterpiece, etc.
Storm is a great colt with potential to be a herd
stallion or a super trail and pleasure gelding. A
bargain at $1200. (This colt is Heritage eligible).
Contract Deb Zaktansky for more information
at: rocridge@windstream.net .
NEWS & CONGRATULATIONS
Sandra van den Hof announces a new website for
horse people to meet and chat:
Gaited Horses Naturally is a community
network. It is meant to bring gaited horse lovers
together who specifically want to focus on
natural keeping, training, riding etc. The website:
http://gaitedhorsesnaturally.ning.com
Readers seem to be enjoying the stories of every
day people and their horses so we thought we’d
share a couple of publications dedicated to
Tennessee Walking Horses that are not show
oriented:
Walking Horse Journal, published bi-monthly by
Four Craftsmen Publishing of Lakeside, Arizona.
Website: www.fourcraftsmen.com/whj
This magazine features stories on flat shod horses
who are used for trail riding, endurance, and other
disciplines and there are some good training
articles as well.
Dusty, colt from Heritage mare Gold Shade, sire
is Tennessee Goldust. Tennessee Goldust has
rare old time breeding, being one of the few
TWH with no Midnight Sun, also no Merry Go
Boy. Dusty is tall, with correct conformation as
well as the gait and gentle, friendly disposition
Tennessee Goldust is known for. For sale,
contact Debbie Zaktansky,
Email: rocridge@windstream.net
Canadian Walking Horse News, is published bimonthly by Marjorie Lacy of Alberta, Canada. The
magazine is dedicated to the plain shod horse in
Canada and features articles by the Heritage
Society’s Franne Brandon on the history of the
Walking Horse breed.
Website: www.walkinghorsenews.ca
Both of these are very good publications for
people who are interested in the versatile using
horse!!
CONTACT US:
Advertising in Highlights:
If anyone would like to place a classified ad in
Highlights, our set up fee is $10 for photos
and text. We will accept ads for Heritage or
Heritage Outcross horses.
Also, if you purchase a Heritage Horse from
someone who already has a certificate for the
horse and you would like the certificate in
your name, we can print a new certificate and
mail it for a $5.00 fee to cover the certificate,
mailer and postage.
For a listing of horses for sale, visit us
on our websites:
www.walkinghorse.com/twhheritagesociety
and
Franne & Harry Brandon, Petersburg, TN
(931) 276-2232
Email: handfbrandon@united.net
Sandra van den Hof, Hechtel, Belgium
+32 (0) 11 666 158
Email: sandra@pleasuregaits.com
Leon & Mary Lou Oliver, Cornersville, TN
(931) 293-4156
Danny & Sherry Taylor, Winchester, TN
(931) 967-9553
Email: elkriverfarm@peoplepc.com
Billy & Mary Taylor, Winchester, TN
(931) 967-9621
Email: confederatehills@wmconnect.com
Diane Sczepanski, Whitehall, WI
(715) 538-2494
Email: northern_foundations@yahoo.com
www.twhheritagesociety.com
The Heritage Highlights will now be
available on our website so you can
download them any time!!
The Heritage Society does not endorse any
trainer, style of natural training, or tack and
horse equipment, to the exclusion of others, as
each horse is an individual and not all will
respond positively to a particular trainer or
training style. Articles published by the
Society, which include such endorsements,
reflect the view of the author, but not
necessarily that of the Society.