BOOK ONE  
  Welcome to the Walkers West Guest book. 
 
If you experience any problems with the site, 
please contact the webmaster,  Bansidhe Graphics directly.
 
Google
Web WALKERS WEST   

Equine Estates Seal of Approval

Tired of looking at horses?  
Stop in at Walkers West Mini Mall - you will be surprised at all you can find there !
Check out the 

Walkers West Mini Mall Village 
20+ stores for your shopping pleasure.

Diamond Award - Congratulations..! You have an Award winning website..! I love horses, enjoyed my visit today to your Beautiful Horse site.  Aloha Hugs From Hawaii  "LittleShy"

EquineEstates Approved Site


Name: Greg McDonald
Email Address: number1diver@yahoo.com
Country:   USA
Comments:       Greetings Mary Ellen
As you can see for yourself Cash is doing GREAT !!! I do believe that it was a miracle what a fantastic creature he is. I'm so blessed to have the opportunity to ride and spend time with him. These pictures are from two camping trips over the last month. We were out a total of 8 days. The first four days I was in the short sleeves. The last time was also for four days. Very cold. Had a big campfire going all the time. I'm so happy to have met you and been able to own this magnificent animal. Thank You!
 

Greg McDonald
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg stopped by here yesterday for a visit - haven't seen him in a number of years - he's really into heavy duty trail riding.  He bought Cash from me.  When Cash was 2 years old, Brett and Doug rode him and another horse in a parade and Brett stood on his back in the parade and Cash was perfect.
Mary Ellen

Date:       September 25, 2013

Name: Annette McLaughlin
Email Address: AMclaughlin@cap-associates.com
Country:   USA
Comments:      

Hello!

What a great find today when I came across your website. I am the proud owner of Kate’s Mystery Boy sired by Copy’s Big Shot, Dam Midnight Kate. He turned 30 this year. Although retired a few years ago we still enjoy our time together. He loves giving the grandchildren rides around the farm.

Annette
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's great - these TWHs can live a long time.  In Tennessee at the Celebration they have "Classic" horses that show - there is an "*" by their name - that means they are at least 15 years old - many in their 20's.  I think that says a lot about the breed.  I have a stallion - Generator's Charmer - who is 27 years old and thinks he's 4......You would never know - looking at him - and seeing him turned out - that he is much over 4 - lots of energy and personality.  Take good care of Copy's Big Shot - he has a great bloodline.....
 
Mary Ellen Areaux
Date:       September 11, 2013

Name: Charles Williams
Email Address: cook198823.cw@gmail.com
Country:   USA
Comments:      

A Gift of Gold!! An own son of Gold Rush! Thanks for Sharing Gold Rush with me this Stallion is the Best horse I've ever owned, love his temperament and his loyalty to me everyday!! Thanks Walkers West!!!
Sincerely: Charles Williams
Tyler, TX

Date:       August 09, 2013

Name: H SCHILD
Email Address: hschild@bellsouth.net 
Country:   USA
Comments:      

Subject: descendant of Midnight Sun

Hello Walkers West.
You have a very interesting and informative website on Midnight Sun. I have been visiting it periodically since I bought my TN Walker mare five years ago. It made me really appreciate my horse even more. She is a beautiful mare with a lot of Midnight Sun in her lineage. She was born in 1999 in Monroe TN. She is now in St Augustine FL with me. Her TWHBEA registration shows that Midnight Sun was her great grandfather on her sire's side and great great grandfather, twice, on her dam's side. Also Pride's Wonder and Pride of Stanley and Pride of Midnight in her background. She looks exactly like Midnight Sun (female version), big boned, 16.2 hands, solid black with beautiful conformation. A very intelligent, noble and kind horse with a lot of spirit and go. She has a great flat walk that really covers ground. I am proud of her and I always keep in mind her forebears. I do not show her ( I am an older middle aged woman rider now) but I ride her every day, with lots of grooming and some groundwork to maintain her nice manners. Again, thanks for providing your website on Midnight Sun.

Sally Schild

 

Date:       November 29, 2012

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sally

Sounds like you have a very nice mare. You cannot get any better than Midnight Sun on the pedigree. I owned a direct son of Midnight Sun many years ago - he was a 16.2 hand stallion, and so gentle a 5 year old could handle him. Everything about him was wonderful.

Glad you are enjoying the website. Thank you for writing. I'm sending a copy of your email to my webmaster.

Mary Ellen Areaux
Walkers West
Kaufman, TX
www.walkerswest.com
214-507-6032


Name: Joe Clements
Email Address: SleepSource@aol.com
Country:   USA
Comments:      
Walkerswest:
 
I want to Thank You for your website it is Great.
 
Thought you might like a picture of the Last Home of Merry Boy.
 
This is Fair Oaks Farm, Jackson, Tenn.
 
Hope you like.
 
Thanks,
 
Joe Clements

Date:       November 06, 2012

Name: Chad Partin
Email Address: cpartin@coffeecountytn.org
Country:   USA
Comments:      

Hi, my name is Chad Partin. I am a detective with the Coffee County Sheriff s Dept in Tn. My grandfather was Ed Partin. He was a farmer and store owner in the Prairie Plains community of Coffee County. This area is the starting point of TWH. Granddad had a peddling wagon in the 20's and 30's. The Brassfield family ,who lived near by, had this young colt one day and asked if he could use him to pull the wagon with a mare he had. So he took the colt and used him for some time. During this time the colt would jump, strut and would not ever stay in stride with the old mare. About a year later Mr. Brassfield came to the store and my grandfather told him that the colt was a show off and was not fit to pull the wagon (so the story goes) and sold him back to Brassfield. He in turn sold him to Mr. Ramsey of Viola, Tn not far up the road. That colts name turned out to be Strolling Jim. I have a picture of him and Granddad with the peddling wagon. The Ramsey family has always claimed they raised Jim but in fact the Brassfield family did. The barns are all still standing and are just a few miles from Wilson Allen's farm. I was just playing and found your web site and thought it was very nice. Would love to share the pic with you for the site if you like.
Thanks
Chad Partin Manchester, Tn

Date:       November 05, 2012

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chad

What a great story - I was not aware of this. I will pass this along to my webmaster to add to Strolling Jim's page. Would love to see any pictures that you have of the barns and of Strolling Jim at that time. Thank you so much for writing.

Mary Ellen Areaux


Name: Heather Bohanon
Email Address: heatherbohanon@yahoo.com
Country:   USA
Comments:       Subject: Great Great Grandson Of the Great Midnight Sun

Hi my name is Heather I own a Great great grandson of this amazing Stallion. His name is Allen's Night Flame and he was a great show colt when we bought him at four years old good couple years ago he is now fifteen and still the great horse he was years ago. In reading Midnight Suns history I find he was a very calm and loving stallion and it has spread to his descendents and I could not ask for a better horse to have around my kids. My daughter loves him as much as i do and its so wonderful to own a part of history and to know i have a part of Midnight Sun I love him and i love reading about him. This is a first time i have found a way to Email people that have known the great horse and have touched such a legend thank you for taking the time to read this I just wanted you to know a part of this great horse still lives and the great boy himself has not been forgotten.

Heather Bohanon
Date:       October 29, 2012

Name: Mark Welsh
Email Address: bmw018@juno.com
Country:   USA
Comments:      

Subject: Carbon Copy


I googled Carbon Copy for a pic on something else that I was posting and ran across your tribute page.
My name is Mark Welsh, my father is David Welsh. We stood Carbon Copy at stud at Shadow Valley Farm in Shelbyville back in the 70's. He was a great horse and one that many old timers remember well.

What I wanted to add to the discussion as many others noted, was the greatness of his trainer, Joe Webb. Joe was a horseman par excellence! He and Dad were good friends and I know that the business lost a great one when Joe passed on.

I asked Dad once when I was younger who was his "hero" when he was growing up (Dad started showing at the Celebration in the late 1940's as a teen). Dad said Sam Paschal but he also said that among his peers, Joe Webb was by far the best trainer he had ever seen.

Another little known fact: Mr Lennox started a club back in the middle 60's of horsemen he admired called the Carbon Copy Club (invitation only), there was a story about it at the time written by editor Bruce Spencer in the "Voice" magazine along with pictures. We had lost that edition over the years but I wrote to Sharon Brandon and asked her if she remembered it and if she had a copy. She did and sent me a photostat copy in the mail of that article. The trainers listed are the ones that I had to watch Dad compete against growing up but they were also his friends. They included: Sam Paschal, Donald Paschal, Joe Webb, Charlie Bobo, Dickie and Russell Pate, Hershall Talley, Wink Groover, Marvin Wilson, Doug Wolaver, Dad, and about a dozen others.

Great memories of my youth growing up on the show circuit.

Mark Welsh
Shelbyville, Tennessee

Date:       December 14, 2011

Name: Barbara McCauley
Email Address: linhiril@embarqmail.com
Country:   USA
Comments:     When I was little, my grandma used to take me every year to the American Royal in KC. I was only about 10 when I saw Perfection’s Carbon Copy for the first time, but he took my breath and my heart away. When he took off, it was like there was no other horse in the ring. He flew. That isn’t exaggeration. He was stunning. Every year after that, I just *had* to go the last night of the Royal to see the Walkers. The first thing I would do when I got the program was turn to the last page and look for his name. But he never returned. He is burned like a shooting star into my memory, though. I will never forget him.

Barbara McCauley
Date:     December 06, 2011

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Barbara

I enjoyed your email and could relate to your experience 100%. First off, I remember how impressive it was to see Joe Webb riding Carbon Copy. I had the pleasure of attending Joe Webb's first adult training school in Searcy, AR in 1971. Got to ride a number of his great show horses - and we became good friends.

But the real reason I can relate to your experience is that I grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and lived across the street from Gulf Park College. They gave riding lessons on American Saddlebreds and since they couldn't beat me off with a stick, they put me in classes and taught me to ride. When I was about 10 years old they took me with them to the Dixie Jubilee Horse Show in Baton Rouge and I loved the Tennessee Walking Horse classes at the show. And when White Star came into the ring (she was the 1954 World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse and the last mare to win the World Grand Championship) it took my breath away. It was surreal....I knew right then and there that I would always have Tennessee Walking Horses. So you see, I can really relate to your experience in seeing Perfection's Carbon Copy and how beautiful he was.

Mary Ellen Areaux


Name: Melanie Rowley
Email Address: mimijean@grm.net
Country:   USA
Comments:     I have to write and tell you how much I enjoy the information on your site about the old Plantation Walking Horses, as I called them when I was a child. I learned to ride on Allen’s Lady Jane, a descendant of Roan Allen. I was 4.

I remember so many of these fine horses, and it has bothered me to see what has become of the breed, with the shoes and such.

But your site brought back the glory of the Tennessee Walking Horse to me. I can still see them, as years ago, as I am sure you know, the Walking Horses and American Saddlebreds showed at the same shows, and I can remember them coming in the ring.

My father trained them for a time in Kirksville MO, in the 20’s, before he began training American Saddlebreds. But I remember how much I loved them in the 50’s, and 60’s.

Thank you for the wonderful photos, and memories.

Melanie Bennett Rowley
Date:     November 22, 2011

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Melanie

Thank you for such a thoughtful and nice email.  I, too, enjoyed the TWHs in the 50's and 60's and still love them today.  Glad you are enjoying the site.  I grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast riding both Saddlebreds and TWHs and love both breeds but my heart is really with the Tennessee Walkers.

Mary Ellen Areaux


Name: Denson, Todd
Email Address: densont@legis.state.la.us
Country:   USA
Comments:       I had to send an email and tell you how much I enjoy your website. There is a ton of info and it brings back a lot of memories for me.  My father John Denson was a walking horse trainer. Having been raised around horses I recognize all the names and photographs. Any way, I just wanted to let you know I recognize the hard work you have put into your website and I enjoy it tremendously.

Todd Denson
Research Assistant
Louisiana Senate
225-342-3005
Date:       October 07, 2011

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Todd
 
Thank you for the very kind email and compliments about the Walkers West website.  I knew your father, John Denson, and glad to hear you are doing so well.  Do you still have Tennessee Walkers?
 
Mary Ellen Areaux

Name: Megan Gist
Email Address:  buffalomoonexpedition@groups.facebook.com
Country:   USA
Comments:       I cannot thank Mary Ellen Areaux and Walkers West enough for creating the BEST Tennessee Walker site in the world. Mary Ellen is an amazing resource for all things Tennessee Walking Horse. Eve's grandsire is Midnight Sun who looks just like her. Talk a stroll around Walkers West for more amazing stories of Tennessee Walkers from their beginnings of the breed up until Present day.
Megan Gist
Blue Moon Expedition
Date:       September 10, 2011

Name: russell cox
Email Address: rcox38654@yahoo.com
Country:   USA
Comments:      
I was thumbing through some of the old walking horse stuff and saw that a lot of the info was from you.  Have not been to the celebration since Final Edition won but was good friends with J. Mac Carter and a number of top breeders.  can tell lots of stories about the old days.  The Echo of Hoofbeats says that Sir Maugray was never ridden but i know that to not be true.  He is buried in
Vaiden, MS behind the Smith house.  i have not seen the grave in over twenty years but he was ridden by Mr. Rufus Smith on many occasions around the farm.  Mr. Smith told me he was a man-made mean horse.
Date:       July 20, 2011

Name: Carrie Fravel
Email Address: carelynn27@gmail.com
Country:   USA
Comments:       Thanks so much Judy. And thank you for having so much information on TWHs available on the site. I've wanted to have a TWH since I can remember and a few years ago I was finally able to buy a wonderful TWH mare and found the history & bloodline info on Walkers West to be very helpful in finding out the history on my own horse.

Thanks Again!
-Carrie Lynn
Fravel Farms
Date:       July 10, 2011

Name: Keith W. Kibler
Email Address: KWKibler@frontier.com
Country:   USA
Comments: I want to tell you how much I enjoy your site and have been blessed by your historical TWH information for my own research. My wife and I raise, train and endurance race TWHs (and MFTs) against the Arabian breed in endurance. When we started this (59 races ago), we were told we had the wrong horse and should go home. Since then we have qualified two for the endurance national championships. One of those at the 50 mile distance (a MFT) and one (a TWH mare) for both the 50 and 100 mile distance. The mare (Silver's Wild Kate) was the first TWH in history to either take first or Best Condition award in the U.S. or Canada at the 100 mile distance. She took both awards in her first 100 .

Here is what is really interesting to me. The top three TWHs in endurance for the U.S. and Canada last year: (btw, their is an article on this in the Voice you probably just got)

1. a TWH owned by a lady Dr out west who set the high Limited Distance mileage mark (Limited Distance or Ld, is 25 and 30 mile rides/races),

2. The high mileage TWH for endurance (50 mile events) owned by a man in Cal and

3. My Kate horse that was the high point TWH at both 50 and 100 mile distance (i.e. not just the mileage but the results against the Arabians) were ALL mares. I am trying to study bloodlines, but so far I seem to have one answer, get as much Go Boy as possible.

Keith Kibler
Shawnee Sunrise Farm

  This is my Silver's Wild Kate horse
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2011
What a wonderful story about you and your horse.....nothing thrills me more than to hear about a Tennessee Walking Horse that has excelled in competitions, not usually expected of a TWH....I think this breed is the absolute greatest in every way and stories like yours and Kate's confirm it. It is especially thrilling because you are riding a mare. We get so very many people that will not consider a mare when buying a horse and I, for one, have had great experiences with mares over the years. It's the individual....not whether it's a mare - gelding or stallion.
Congratulations on your great success and best wishes for many more exciting experiences with your great Tennessee Walking Horse Mare. Please keep us informed.

Mary Ellen Areaux
Walkers West

Name: Sharon Grimes
Email Address: mgrimes202@msn.com
Country:   USA
Comments:       I am attending the University of Montana Western to obtain a bachelor's degree in Natural Horsemanship, and on my Christmas break, I was given the opportunity to tag along with my mom to the ranch where she sees to the care and fitness of a trio of Tennessee Walkers. I absolutely fell in love with a stunning paint-- Powder River. I spent the majority of my break riding him bareback in a halter. I have scarcely met a horse more intelligent, willing, and responsive as River. He has a heart of gold, an unflagging spirit, and an extremely gentle disposition--not to mention gaits that would make any true horse person drool! I came across your website while looking up his show records, and I wanted you to know that he is in capable, pampering, adoring hands. My mom and I agree that he is the kind of horse a person always wishes for, but never finds--a true gem.

Best Wishes

Sara Grimes

Date:       January 11, 2011
Thank you for letting me know about your experience with Powder River. I bought him as a yearling and enjoyed him for several years. He was with some of the best trainers in the country from TN to TX to CA and did very well in the show ring considering the color bias against paint horses. I did not want to sell him but a man made me an offer I could not refuse, so he went to N. Carolina and then later to central TX. I understand that he has a very good home now and I am glad about that. I am glad you had the opportunity to get to know Powder River - thank you for your kind email.

Mary Ellen Areaux


Name: Mary-Anne Taylor
Email Address: sm0ky62@yahoo.com
Country:   USA
Comments:       Hi Mary!!
Its well after Christmas now, and almost spring. I did end up buying all three copies of Echo of Hoofbeats. By far the third edition is best, a lot more history of each horse's accomplishments and lineage. Not as many photos as I would have liked though. I'd love to have all the photos you have! Can a person obtain a book of all the photos that you have on your website? They are so gorgeous!

Thank you for your help and responding as you did.
Mary-Anne.
Date:       February 16, 2011
The only place all of these pictures are published is on the Walkers West website - there are over 4,000 pictures....
Mary Ellen Areau
x

Name: Mary-Anne Taylor
Email Address: sm0ky62@yahoo.com
Country:   USA
Comments:       Hello,

As you already know you have a Great website! I have visited it numerous times! All the superb photos, old and new!

I am searching for the coveted book, Echo of Hoofbeats/Bob Womack. There are three editions. Is there one that stands out from the other two? Please help.
Thank you,
Mary.
Date:      

November 23, 2010

If there is a difference between the 3 editions, I did not know that. I have what I think is the first edition. Sometimes you find copies on Ebay for sale. His son, Ricky Womack, works at Rising Star Ranch in Shelbyville - (I think he is still there) - you might try to reach him there and ask him if there is a difference between the 3 editions.

If you find there is a difference between the 3 editions, please let me know.

Thank you for the kind words about the website.
Mary Ellen Areau
x

Name: Gene McCall
Email Address: barwcowboy@aol.com
Country:   USA
Comments: I enjoy your site. Here is my memory. As a young teen my uncle took me to see my first walker show. I had the pleasure to see C.A. Bobo show. After almost half a century I have never seen a person take over the ring like Mr. Bobo. He was the man!!! I never get on your site or see a walking that I do not remember a master at work. Thank you for the opportunity to share the memories of these great horses.
Gene McCall
Date: February 02, 2011

Thank you for your nice email to Walkers West - I agree with you about C. A. Bobo.  I knew him years ago when he used to come to Texas to show.  He was very nice to help me with a horse I was showing at that time - made some good suggestions - where most TN trainers would not have wasted their time.  I always liked to watch him show - he could chew that gum in perfect rhythm with the horse's head nodding….. 

Mary Ellen Areaux
Walkers West


Name: Claytie Shipley
Email Address: nannasboy98@yahoo.com  
Country:   USA
Comments: Subject: Childhood Memories

I grew up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and lived on East Main Street for a time not far from Sam Paschal Barn. He was my hero. My Dad had a shop across the street from the barn and he was friends with Mr. Sam, my favorite thing to do was to go to the shop and sit out front and watch "Mr. Sam" work the horses. I fell in love with Setting Sun. I don't remember exactly what year it was, but I was 8 or 9 and it was my birthday. My Dad carried me to the shop and told me Mr. Sam wanted me to come to the barn so we went across the street and he had me that famous autographed picture of Setting Sun and then to my surprise I got to sit on him. I felt like a princess. As time went on I always watched what happened with him. Tonight I decided to goggle and see what I found. Thank you so much for posting the story about "Mr. Sam" and about Setting Sun. Isn't it amazing how some 52 or 53 years ago just sitting on a horse and looking down at my Daddy and Mr. Sam made me so happy. In today's world how many children would even pay attention to that experience and treasure it in their hearts like I have. Today's children are so caught up in expensive gifts, video games and entertainment. All that cost was a little piece of his time which he freely gave. Thank you Mr. Sam for the memory!

Claytie Reed Shipley
Smyrna, Tennessee
 
Date: January 29, 2011

Sara Grimes
mgrimes202@msn.com
  USA
Hello,

I am attending the University of Montana Western to obtain a science bachelor's degree in Natural Horsemanship, and on my Christmas break, I was given the opportunity to tag along with my mom to the ranch where she sees to the care and fitness of a trio of Tennessee Walkers. I absolutely fell in love with a stunning paint-- Powder River. I spent the majority of my break riding him bareback in a halter. I have scarcely met a horse more intelligent, willing, and responsive as River. He has a heart of gold, an unflagging spirit, and an extremely gentle disposition--not to mention gaits that would make any true horse person drool! I came across your website while looking up his show records, and I wanted you to know that he is in capable, pampering, adoring hands. My mom and I agree that he is the kind of horse a person always wishes for, but never finds--a true gem.

Best Wishes
Sara Grimes
 January 13, 2011

Name: Anava Guttman
Email Address: guttmanit@gmail.com
Country:   Israel
Comments: I've seen your logo in facebook and thought you would like an upgrade....

Anava Guttman
Date: November 29, 2010

Name: Dodi Hart
Email Address: walkinghart@yahoo.com
Country:   USA
Comments:
Thank you for such a wonderful website!! Wow all the information and pictures!! It's really great to be able to see pictures of what my horses families looked like! Thank you again and again!!
 
Dodi Hart  Walking Hart Ranch
Date: September 29, 2010

Name: James Birthisel
Email Address: james@jobsiteleasing.com
Country:   USA
Comments:

Mary Ellen,

I’ll never forget the day you called, it was like talking to my hero! The one who owned Powder River and Walkers West!!!!!! Two of my favorite things in the Walking horse world! Thank you for the Walkers West site, it has taught me and many others so much about the breed, the history, breeding, genetics, etc. It isn’t everyone who is successful that wants to share what they know. This makes you a very special person!

James Birthisel
Operations Manager
Job-Site Truck & Equipment Leasing, LLC

Date: September 21, 2010

Name: Walter Quick
Email Address: walterq@nc.rr.com
Country:   USA
Comments: This is the best Walking Horse site I have ever seen. I have been going through it for the last 2 hours. Really enjoy the history of the breed and the in-depth details.

I have an old scrapbook that has older pictures of popular horses at the time , I'll try to email them to you.
Congrats on a great site!!

Walter Quick
 

Date: September 02, 2010

Name: Erica Jo Edmonds
Email Address: Erica.Edmonds@va.gov
Country:   USA
Comments: Hello,

I would like to share a story with you, and I really hope you find it as amusing as I have. My whole life I have loved and rode Quarterhorses, until recently when I decided to finally purchase my first horse. I decided to ride a Tennessee Walker just because he was there and for sale. His name was Shakespeare; he was black with a white snip on his nose and stands a good 16 hands tall, if not maybe a little taller. I fell in love with him during our first ride. If you could imagine the perfect first ride between a horse and rider, that was it.

After purchasing and moving him to his new home, the barn owner, who was an elder man, stopped me and said, “that horse has to have Midnight Sun in him, look at how he holds his head.” We went on to have a conversation about him and other famous Walkers of his time such as Merry Go Boy.

So, being the curious person that I am, I went home and researched both horses and was stunned by the way they both identically resembled my horse. A week later I got his papers from his previous owners and saw that both Midnight Sun and Merry Go Boy were his great, great grandfathers. I don’t know how much this means to you, but it really hit me hard. I feel like the owner of a champion even though he has never stepped foot in a show before. I wish his previous owners had shown him though, because I feel he definitely could of followed the steps of both his grandfathers. He has a greatness about him, and it’s hard to miss if you know the Walker breed and the horses that made them what they are today. I know Midnight Sun bred hundreds of horses, but for one of them to fall right into my hands simply leaves me in awe. Sadly I am just starting out in the Tennessee Walker world, but it’s so amazing to think that the blood of two World Champions runs in my horse. I would have loved to meet them both, but after reading about these horses I find it easy to believe that I have come close enough.

When I bought him he was out of shape and the pure black of his coat faded after being left out in the sun all day. I’m trying so hard to get him into shape and show off his true colors. He has a big heart, but you have to win it. One day I hope to be able to take a picture of him, hold it up next to Midnight Sun and barely be able to the two apart besides the small snip on Shakespeare’s nose.

Thanks so much for taking time to read my story. I hope it makes you smile like it has made me.

P.S. the man that owns the barn I board Shakespeare at lived during the time of Midnight Sun and was given the “thrill of riding” him one afternoon. No wonder he could see the blood of Midnight Sun running through my horse.

Erica Jo Edmonds
----------------------------------------------
Erica That is a great story. I can understand how thrilled you were and are..... those were two of the greatest horses in the breed. In fact, back in the day, they called it the Golden Cross to breed a Merry Go Boy mare to Midnight Sun or one of his sons.

I can also understand how you feel because I had the rare opportunity to own a direct son of Midnight Sun - his name was Merry Night Cap - and he had so many of the wonderful traits of his sire. Big - black - gentle as a puppy dog - very naturally gaited and such a nice horse. I am so glad to have had that experience. He suffered from the Texas heat badly - so I sold him to Bill Harlin - the owner of Midnight Sun - and the owner of Harlinsdale Farm - it was after Pride of Midnight died and my stallion was a 3/4's brother to Pride of Midnight. He got to occupy Midnight Sun's Stall and pasture while he was there. Doesn't get any better than that.

Thank you for sharing your story with me. You're a very lucky person to own Shakespeare.

Mary Ellen Areaux
Walkers West

Date: August 12, 2010

Name: Jay Bertram
Email Address: jaybertram@bgmedallions.com
Country:   USA
Comments: Subject: Shades of Carbon and my first and only time!
The internet is a fascinating bit of technology. It provided me the opportunity to Google Shades of Carbon at 2 a.m. on a July night some some 34 years after I saw Shades of Carbon for the first and only time in my life. But, I’ve never forgotten the sight.
I’m not a horse person in general. They’re nice to look at, but I wouldn’t want to own one! Friends of ours, David and Linda, said why don’t you go with us to the Walking Horse Celebration in Smithville, TN. We were living in Albany, Kentucky at the time. Long story short, we went!
I’ll never forget the magnificent Shades of Carbon entering the ring and the way he moved. You didn’t have to have a trained eye to recognize the presence of greatness. He just looked and moved in a way the other didn’t.
I’m glad his life touched mine.
Jay B.
**********************************************************************************************************************
Jay
Yes, I was at the Celebration too the night that Shades of Carbon won.  He was really magnificent and I was glad to see another woman win the World Grand Championship.  Betty Sain was the first woman on Shaker's Shocker in 1966 and Betty and I have become good friends.  I know Judy Martin that rode Shades of Carbon too.  The thing that impressed me about Shades of Carbon is that he was doing the exact same thing at the end of the show as he was at the beginning and what I mean by that is that the horse never seemed to get tired as they really put the contenders through a heavy-duty workout.  I talked with Judy Martin in the years after the show and she told me about all the conditioning that they did with Shades of Carbon to build up his stamina that made him so great.
 
Mary Ellen Areaux
Walkers West
Date: July 08, 2010

Name: Carlita Griffith
Email Address: skampyspride@yahoo.com
Country:   USA
Comments:
Mary Ellen,
thank you for spending time with me on Saturday. I enjoyed meeting David and seeing Dominoe. I especially enjoyed meeting Paints Cotton, what a wonderful horse! I hope to have  horse that looks like him someday!
 
I am an avid fan of your website, I love looking at  the wonderful horses. I only wished I was closer, then maybe I could learn more and take lessons. I live north of Fort Worth, it is quite a drive out to your place. But I had such a good time there. Great people, great atmosphere, great horses.
 
I have decided against Dominoe at this time. I think I should stick to a horse trained for what I want to do. I may just get more training for mine at this time and not look for a new horse. I do want to own a painted gaited horse one day... and I will always keep you in mind for that.  :) 
 
I wanted to let you know what I decided and how much I enjoyed my visit. It was very fun and relaxing and made my day. You were as nice as I had remembered from a visit a few years ago with my son. We had come to look at a black TW with a crooked tail that would rear. We decided against that horse, but you were very kind, honest and informative. It was great to meet David, who answered all my questions and seems very patient and kind and great with the horses.
 
Thank you!
Carlita Griffith
Date: March 07, 2010

Name: Victoria Hicks
Email Address: scudsrebelgurl224@yahoo.com
Country:   USA
Comments:
I have a grand son of coins hard cash. His dad is extra cash. His registered name is Black Perfection. But I call him black ice. I can see how much him and cash look alike. He rides just as nice as I guess cash would. I myself think he would be an excellent padded horse. But we are still getting used to him. Keep on with the site!! I love it! My papa is an ex-padded horse trainer. He loves looking at the horses he has saw him
self.
Victoria224
-----------------------------------------------
Victoria

Thank you for your email - glad you are enjoying the website.  Extra Cash
was such a nice a horse, as was Coin's Hard Cash.  I wouldn't be surprised
if your horse would have made a great padded horse, but just enjoy him as he
is.  There's nothing wrong with being a great pleasure riding horse as well.

Mary Ellen Areaux
Walkers West
Date: October 31, 2009

Name: Steffi König
Email Address: steffi.koenig91@web.de
Country:   Germany
Comments: Dear Mary Ellen Areux,

Congrats to your barn, you're so lucky. I'm 17 and turn 18 in two weeks. Everyday I visit your homepage to get the latest news around TWH. The hardest part for me is the Sale-Site, because I do not have enough money to buy one. And now there are some Questions from me to you and I hope you can answer a little TWH-Freak like me. When I grow older one day and will have money (oh, I hope so!) I'll buy a TWH for sure. The greatest variety of horses I find on your site and I totally fell in love with "Aspen" - I don't know why, I even dislike white ones, but she is so lovely with the sweetest head and eyes I've ever seen. I know, I'll never own her, but I want to know, how much the transport to me (Germany) costs? And are Sabinos like her rare? Should every guy, who want to buy a horse in the USA, fly to your barn and ride them? Is every TWH in your variety totally healthy? So much questions and hopefully not so much mistakes - you know, English is not my main-language. Oh my heart is bleeding when I see her, it is so sad :( 

Do you know Josef´s Walkaway Farm? It is the greatest Breeder in Europe, and it's near my hometown. Unfortunately, I visit it only one day at the German Championships. One of the best days in my life.

Greets from me,
Steffi K.

PS: I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon :)


Steffi K

Thank you so much for you interest in Tennessee Walking Horses and your kind words about my website.

We just sold two Tennessee Walkers to a very nice lady in Berlin, Germany. They are in quarantine right now and will ship to Amsterdam about the 26th of October. I think the cost to ship from here to there is about $4,500.00. You would have to pick up the horse in Amsterdam and take back to Germany.

Aspen is an absolutely gorgeous pure white mare with dark eyes. I have known her all her life - in fact, I named her - but I have never owned her. The pure white Tennessee Walking Horses are fairly rare in the breed - they account for about 2% of the breed. But I have owned a number of them over the years. I think they are so pretty.

All of the horses on my website for sale belong to other people, I sell them on consignment - or I broker them - for other people. I do not take horses with physical or mental problem - only nice horses. They are all current on shots and have a current negative Coggins. It is always a good thing to go and see the horse you want to buy to make sure it is exactly what you want. That isn't always possible when you live so far away. My concern would be that you meet other people with Tennessee Walking Horses and learn how to ride them. They are ridden a little differently from other breeds. They are trained through the mouth, so you are always in contact with the mouth, but in a gentle way. We do not use much in the way of leg aids - if you squeeze your legs, they will go faster, but that is about the only time we use leg aids.

A few years ago, a very nice young lady from Germany came here and spent about 3 months learning about Tennessee Walkers - she stayed here with me and rode horses all day long. We had a lot of fun. I've lost track of her now, but every now and then she emails me.

If I can help you in any way, let me know.

Mary Ellen Areaux
 Walkers West

Date: October 04, 2009

Name: Tommy Williams
Email Address: Tkawtk@aol.com
Country:   USA
Comments: Mary Ellen,
I just read your new page for Watch It Now and it was a perfect outline to his career and owners, some I was never aware of. I put the link on the Walking Horse Chat. Your Gallery is the "chiseled granite" of the Internet in getting out the facts on our world grand champions. I love that site and it has been the perfect historical reference for us crazy horse buffs like me...LOL.
 
regards,
Tommy Williams
Memory WebCast
Walking Horse World
Walking Horse Chat
Mt. Pleasant Record

Tommy
 
Thank you so much for your kind words...now I'm on Cloud 9.  I have a wonderful webmaster whom I met over 25 years ago - long before the internet - when I had a son of Midnight Sun advertised in the Voice for breeding.  She and I became friends even though she lived far away in Canada - but because my site was her first website, she really puts a lot of effort into it which I so greatly appreciate.  Thanks also for the link on WHC - I'll go check it out.
 
Mary Ellen Areaux
Walkers West
Date: September 12, 2009

Name: Jerry D. Sizemore
Email Address: jerrysizemore17@hotmail.com
Country:   USA
Comments: I was just looking at your latest page for the new World Grand Champion and thought I would pass along a couple of pictures that I captured that night. Not sure if these will be of interest, but thought I'd pass them along.

Your website is awesome, the greatest walking horse history site out there!

Jerry D. Sizemore

Jerry
Thank you for the kind words about the website and thank you for sending the pictures. I am forwarding them to my webmaster at this time. I am sure she would like to use one or more of them if that is O.K. with you.

Mary Ellen Areaux

Date: September 14, 2009

Name: Rodney Yarbrough
Email Address: Rodney.Yarbrough@chartisinsurance.com
Country:   USA
Comments: I grew up in Searcy and lived next door to Joe Webb in the late 50s. I was born in Rodgers hospital and also treated by Dr Rodgers on a few occasions prior to the sad latter years of his life. I lived next to Joe and I believe his wife’s name was Nelda, on Market St when their son Mike passed away. Really sad time. But Perfection and Carbon Copy were awesome horses. A friend of mine bought a foal from Carbon Copy. Never made it to the big times but the foal was beautiful.

Rodney Yarbrough
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rodney

That's a great story and it's a small world - because here you are in Dallas now.

I went to Joe Web's first Adult training school in 1971 and learned so much. I later helped Joe put on clinics in Texas.

He was a real horseman and a real showman. The industry was so luck to have had him as a trainer. He helped a lot of other people get interested in the breed.

You will have to come out and visit us some time - we are just 30 miles east of downtown Dallas.

Mary Ellen Areaux
Walkers West
Date: August 17, 2009

Name: Megan Carter - Buffalo Moon Expedition
Email Address: buffalomoonexpedition@gmail.com
Country:   USA
Comments: Hi,

I just wanted to thank you for such an awesome Tenn Walker site. I have referred to it several times when reading up on my two Walker's ancestors. I have a direct daughter of Gens Armed and Dangerous (age11) and Grand Daughter of Midnight Sun (age 21) and I have to admit, that Midnight Suns lines are a bit calmer...like people say.

Anyway, here is Dusty (Midnight Sun) and Trudy (Gen's Armed and Dangerous') links to two YouTube video's taken of them. Dusty holds her tail just like her grandaddy as you will see... Both girls have had a very rough past and I am getting them over that :)

Thanks again and hope you enjoy the show!

1. Midnight Sun Progeny
2. Gen's Armed and Dangerous Progeny

Cheers,
Megan Carter
Buffalo Moon Expedition
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Megan

Thank you for the kind comments - you have two pretty horses - I could have told you the breeding when I saw them!! Glad you are enjoying them.

Mary Ellen Areaux
Walkers West
Date: August 03, 2009

Name: Marilyn Dolezal
Email Address: marilyndolezal@hotmail.com
Country:   USA
Comments: Mary Ellen, we here in Montana are so proud of the Carbon Copy mare we have, Copy's Shamrock. She has some age now, but still looks like a young mare and with a foal this year!  She really is our pride and joy and such a lovely temperament.  My daughter Gina Kanzaki rode her in our parade last year, showing the mare still has such style and class!    Thank you too, for a great web page....   Marilyn Dolezal, Mountain Manor Ranch, Ronan, MT
Date:  July 13, 2009

Name: Orr AL, HW
Email Address: worr9@comcast.net
Country:   USA
Comments: I found this card while going through a stack of old TWHNC programs.  It was posted in the barn area after the Walking Stallions, Five Years Old and Over on Wed night.  Go Boy’s Royal Heir (297) finished 1st across the board before going on to win the Grand Championship Walking Horse Stake on Sat night.
Date:
January 28, 2009

Name: Joe & Jenny Montgomery
Email Address: n/a
Country:   USA
Comments: Hi,

About 6 years ago, I owned one of the last living sons of Rodgers Perfection. He was a sorrel stallion with mixed mane and tail. Was one of the most natural going horses there was. Not to mention his attitude was wonderful for a stallion. He had been a show horse, but was nothing but a love for me. This was some outstanding blood. What a shame there is little left. They are naturals.

Jenny (Tennessee)
Date: March 14, 2009

Name: Rachel Bush
Email Address: mbrb2008@yahoo.com
Country:   USA
Comments: My name is Matthew and I live in Tennessee.  I was researching the bloodline of my family's horses and came across your wonderful page.  I loved it and not only was it informative but also very catchy.  We have three TWH from the Last Chance bloodline, such as Sassy Chance, a 23 year old mare.  Robs Colby Chance and Frosty Chance, aka Alabama Gold.  All three are beautiful horse.  Sassy is a reddish or roan color with a very unique blond main and tale.  Her offspring, Colby and Frosty are both beautiful palominos.  One being Carmelo and the other being more white during the winter and darker in the summer.  All three are wonderful horses with great bloodlines that we use mostly for trail riding or just pleasure rides.  When these registered horses names are discussed, The Famous Last Chance is always brought to the conversation.  Thank you for creating this website.
Date: Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Name: Sara
Email Address: SEL795@aol.com
Country:   USA
Comments:

Hi WW,

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your site, especially the WGC homepages and Carbon Copy's in particular. He is one of my favorite WGCs and my family is fortunate enough to own one of his daughters - Copy's Glowing Delight, or "Lo." She is a gorgeous bay mare foaled in 1989. I've attached a photo of her. A couple of people have told us she looks just like her old man, including David Williams of Waterfall Farms. I never got to see Carbon Copy in person, unfortunately, so I can't tell you for sure or not whether that's true, but Lo is a very sweet old mare and still goes for rides every now and then. We are also hoping to get one or two more babies out of her in the next year or two.

Thank you for keeping such a wonderful website.

-Sara

Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Name: Barbara Seebaran
Email Address: bseebaran@sbcglobal.net
Country:   USA
Comments:

Mary Ellen and David,

We love Grace!  Hooray!  Your wonderful efforts have successfully paid off!  Our black filly, Paint's Black Sapphire has not even been home for a full week yet but has far exceeded our expectations.  We rode in a small round pen and she allowed me to mount by using a bucket, with no problems.  She did so well, I decided after 2 times riding in the round pen to take her to the large arena to ride.  Again, using the bucket, she stood still for me to mount and stayed still after mounting. She walked and looked at everything with out hesitation.  We even have cows at the back of the arena.  She was very curious but showed no fear.  A motorcycle went by and another horse in the arena was having some bad behaviors but Grace was PURE GRACE!  She walked, head shaking with out missing a beat.  We are so proud of the work you all did with her.  We cannot thank you enough.  She likes to be given time to process our request and has been very compliant.  She even took on the caveson without a hitch.  She gave you both and us grave concerns at the beginning, but as of yet, no attitude is showing.  She is even backing a few steps.  Marcey rode her in the arena last night and loved her.   She is so smooth.  I have ridden her every morning and she is calm and cooperative.  She loves being back with her mom. Again, we appreciate all the hard work and patience you put in with us and it is showing in her.  We are very happy with her.  Thank you both.

Barbara Seebaran
In God We Trust

Date: June 09, 2008

Name: Pat Monson
Email Address: fhollow@earthlink.net
Country:   USA
Comments: Sunny went for her first trail ride this weekend and she earned an A+.
She was great and seemed to really enjoy being on the trail at Lake Lavon. We found she had a "cruise control button" - just set the speed, back off, and let her go motor on down the trail.
And best of all, she keeps pace with Sky, So Duke and I can actually ride side by side!
She has settled in nicely and seems happy. We thoroughly enjoy her.

Pat and/or Duke Monson (sometimes one, sometimes t'other)

Date: Mar 03, 2008

Name: Cyndee
Email Address: Cyndeehaley@aol.com  
Country:   USA
Comments: Mary Ellen,
It's the next day and still no buyers remorse! You and crew took the pain out of horse hunting - which is what I have been doing for four months now.
Thanks for sharing your expertise. You gave me confidence in making a selection, Blazing Gunfire (Gunner-I think) is the right horse for me. I have never seen such a commendable job of matching horse to rider.

ThankYou,
Cyndee
Date: Mar 02, 2008

Name: Lexy
Email Address: hammerandlexy@yahoo.com
Country:   USA
Comments: Hi There,

Im just wondering if you have an email for the new owners of Powder River? I have loved Powder River from the first time I laid eyes on him. We are considering breeding a mare to him now that he is so much closer to us.

Thanks so Much..........................................................Lexie

Date: Feb 18, 2008

Name: Andy Bulecza
Email Address: RackNRoLLFarms@aol.com
Country:   USA
Comments: Hay Mary Ellen
it's Andy from Florida. Hope all is well. I am having to rebuild my site from scratch and on my history page and I wanted to put a link to your site. Just wanted to make sure you are ok with that. You know I have been thinking. What will you do if you ever retire from the horse biz? Will you keep the website up? It would be a shame for all that history to go. Does anyone else have a site with all the past horse links or only you? If you ever decide to let it go I would like to make sure it keeps going.
P.S. If you ever find your self in need of a trainer again or barn manager/promoter please give me a shout. What I could learn from being around you would be priceless!

Andy Bulecza
Rack-N-Roll Farms
Date: Feb 15, 2008

Name: George McConathy
Email Address: georgemcconathy@att.net
Country:   USA
Comments: Hi, Mary Ellen.
Just a quick note about Razz. I just love him more every time I ride him. He's still a little "jumpy" when he encounters something new or strange, but he's getting better. Of course I still love King's JR, but Razz has really stolen my heart. I bought the DVD that Dr. Womack narrated called "A Look Into The Past" and in it he states, talking about Strolling Jim, "I just don't think there was ever a horse more beautiful than he was." And I thought, that's exactly how I feel about Razz. He goes into a flat walk and running walk so amazingly easy, it makes me smile every time. I remember when I bought him, the trainer you had at the time said he didn't think Razz would canter. Well, he has the smoothest most wonderful canter you could imagine. OK, I said a quick note and I'm rambling. Really, I could probably talk all day about Razz.

George McConathy

p.s. Congratulations on your new home. I'll have to come and see the new facility some time.
Date: Jan 8, 2008

Name: Jennifer Church
Email Address: MagicJennieBug@aol.com
Country:   USA
Comments: This site is amazing! I am new to the world of horses but my father has always owned at least one Tennessee Walking Horse at all times. He bought a new one for my step-mother a few weeks ago and he is really something. He does have world grand champion blood as he is one of Merry Go Boys offspring. I can't wait to see his papers again to see where he fits in and I can't wait to show my dad your site! Thanks so much!
Jennifer Church
Chuckey TN
Date: Jan 4, 2008

Name: Marian Betz
Email Address: Fednsa8869@aol.com
Country:   USA
Comments:
Hi,
Great Web site! I learned a lot about my filly and her lineage on this site. So many awesome horses to look at. My filly is a gold cream champagne and has several WGC's in her bloodline. It was nice to be able to look at some of them. She has Prides Gold Coin, Pride of Midnight H.F., Sun's Delight D. and Ebony Masterpiece to name a few on her pedigree. I am so proud to own one of these fine animals. I am going to have her buggy trained and for riding.
Thanks for the site!!
Marian Betz
Hohenwald, Tennessee
Date: Jan 4, 2008

Name: Lowell Bryan
Email Address: earth-comm
Country:   USA
Comments:

I have never had the privilege of owning a horse, but I just wanted to tell you that in 1956, during my freshman year in high school, I took Vocational Agriculture.  That was, of course, not uncommon for boys in west Texas.  At any rate, in one of our textbooks there was a photograph of the most beautiful horse I had ever seen.  His name was Midnight Sun.  Until today I had never seen another photograph of him, nor had I ever heard anybody mention his name.  The absolute astounding beauty of that horse has stayed with me all these years, and seeing him again on your website actually brought tears to my eyes.  I still believe he is the most beautiful animal I have ever seen, and having grown up in ranching country and been in close proximity to horses all my life, I have seen thousands of them.  None, however, can even come close to, in my opinion, the King of horses, Midnight Sun.

Thanks for your time.

Lowell Bryan

Date: Dec 18, 2007

Name: Jim Smith
Email Address: Jim.Smith@BBandT.com
Country:   USA
Comments:
Mary Ellen,

I wanted to send you an update on Playboys Ranger.  He made the trip very well and has adjusted to his new home.  He is a very good natured horse and I can not help loving his personality,  He comes over to me and sets his chin on my shoulder and wants to be rubbed.  He will follow me around the pasture, he is such a good boy.  I have ridden him lightly about 30 minutes a day and he is such a fast learner. I wanted to thank you for your help in getting him.  I will keep an eye out on your site for others and Highly recommended your site.  Just as an FYI HorsePower Transportation there in Frisco Tx was awesome, small company but great service,  I would highly recommend him to transport in the future his number is 214-704-8162 his name is Neil Shillig.  Again many thanks on Playboys Ranger.

PS .  Will you still send his Papers or will that be Linda.

Jim Smith
Assistant Vice President
Date: Dec 13, 2007