The 2012 Colt Preview Party and Mississippi Walking Horse Association
Abernathy Stables, Byhalia, MS, January 21, 2012
Story and photos by Pam Gamble
Since 2008, Abernathy Stables has graciously hosted the Mississippi Walking Horse Association’s annual Colt Preview Party, an annual fund raiser for the Mississippi Association.
On January 21, 2012, walking horse trainers Edgar Abernathy and Jerry Woodlee and assistant trainer, Bryan DeBerry welcomed area barns to bring their walking horse colts into their indoor arena for the Mississippi Walking Horse Association’s annual colt preview party. An early morning front had dropped the temperature into the lower 30’s, but the arena was warm from a series of propane heaters and the approximately 250-300 people that showed up to watch the colts show off their gaits.
The majority of the horses were colts “coming two” or horses that would be shown as two-year-olds this year. These colts have had only a month or so training, and prospective buyers are hoping to find a future world champion before they have a show record and the price goes up accordingly.
Over 60 horses were brought into the arena where bleachers had been set up to accommodate guests. One by one they were ridden for the crowd as the announcer, Mississippi Walking Horse Association President, Joy Smith, bragged on the breeding of each colt.
Many of these colts had never traveled, and most had never seen this type of crowd, but most were unfazed as they came into the noisy arena. A true testament to the great minds and gentle nature of the breed, most walking horses are easy to handle as youngsters. They hardly ever buck or rear, even on their first few rides.
An auction of donated items raised $5,000 to benefit the Lizzie Umberger Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Mississippi Walking Horse Association’s general fund, which is used to help existing shows and promote the walking horse throughout Mississippi. Items donated included stud fees for Master of Jazz, Ted Williams, and Watch Out Jose; photography from Jack Greene and Sid Abernathy; and box seats for the Walking Horse Celebration.
The Abernathy colt preview party has grown into the largest of its kind. Walking Horse barns, owners, and trainers from Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Kentucky, who brought their stock for this event, included 7 Mile Stable, Steve Massey, Robert Jones Stable, Eric Yokley, Joe Cotton, Brad Kirby, Troy Richards, Andy Atkins, Derrick Brown, Cotton Wood Farms, Summer Crest Farms, Jeff Green, Grider Farms, David Smith, Stanley House, Greg Robinson, Medford Knowles, and Heather Johnston.
Persons wanting more information can contact Mississippi Walking Horse Association President, Joy Smith at 901-647-2965, Edgar Abernathy at 901-212-0822 or “like” Abernathy Stables on Facebook.
Abernathy Stables, Byhalia, MS, January 21, 2012
Story and photos by Pam Gamble
Since 2008, Abernathy Stables has graciously hosted the Mississippi Walking Horse Association’s annual Colt Preview Party, an annual fund raiser for the Mississippi Association.
On January 21, 2012, walking horse trainers Edgar Abernathy and Jerry Woodlee and assistant trainer, Bryan DeBerry welcomed area barns to bring their walking horse colts into their indoor arena for the Mississippi Walking Horse Association’s annual colt preview party. An early morning front had dropped the temperature into the lower 30’s, but the arena was warm from a series of propane heaters and the approximately 250-300 people that showed up to watch the colts show off their gaits.
The majority of the horses were colts “coming two” or horses that would be shown as two-year-olds this year. These colts have had only a month or so training, and prospective buyers are hoping to find a future world champion before they have a show record and the price goes up accordingly.
Over 60 horses were brought into the arena where bleachers had been set up to accommodate guests. One by one they were ridden for the crowd as the announcer, Mississippi Walking Horse Association President, Joy Smith, bragged on the breeding of each colt.
Many of these colts had never traveled, and most had never seen this type of crowd, but most were unfazed as they came into the noisy arena. A true testament to the great minds and gentle nature of the breed, most walking horses are easy to handle as youngsters. They hardly ever buck or rear, even on their first few rides.
An auction of donated items raised $5,000 to benefit the Lizzie Umberger Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Mississippi Walking Horse Association’s general fund, which is used to help existing shows and promote the walking horse throughout Mississippi. Items donated included stud fees for Master of Jazz, Ted Williams, and Watch Out Jose; photography from Jack Greene and Sid Abernathy; and box seats for the Walking Horse Celebration.
The Abernathy colt preview party has grown into the largest of its kind. Walking Horse barns, owners, and trainers from Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Kentucky, who brought their stock for this event, included 7 Mile Stable, Steve Massey, Robert Jones Stable, Eric Yokley, Joe Cotton, Brad Kirby, Troy Richards, Andy Atkins, Derrick Brown, Cotton Wood Farms, Summer Crest Farms, Jeff Green, Grider Farms, David Smith, Stanley House, Greg Robinson, Medford Knowles, and Heather Johnston.
Persons wanting more information can contact Mississippi Walking Horse Association President, Joy Smith at 901-647-2965, Edgar Abernathy at 901-212-0822 or “like” Abernathy Stables on Facebook.
