The BEST of Walking Horse Trivia!

Lem Motlow's Horses

Here's some vintage shots of horses owned by the famous Lem Motlow of Jack Daniels Whiskey fame:


"Chief Allen" held by Mr. Harrison. This was Motlow's breeding stallion.


"King O'Chiefs" held by Mr. Harrison


"Chief Alton", held by an unknown black man


"Lena Brantley" held by Mr. Harrison


"Merry Boy II" held by Mr. Harrison

Either those Chief horses were very large or the handlers were Munchkins.

Here's another shot of their daddy, Chief Allen:



Also, here's a shot of old Lem himself. Don't look too tickled does he?:




That be Lem in the middle


The Motlow family. Lem is the 4th from the left.

Mr. Harrisons name was P.O. Harrison & he lived on Marble Hill close to Lynchburg. He was a medium sized man. He showed horses at the Cel. for Lem Motlow. He was a medium sized man & ended up with a large herd of mares, himself. He hasn't been dead but about 10 years. All Motlow horses were decended from ASB Roe's Chief. Chiefs Allen was sold by Motlow to someone in Nashville & he burned up in a barn fire. Motlow would reg colts with names like, horse colt, roan filly etc. He replaced Chiefs Allen with Chiefs Allen II. I've been told that F38 & Roe's Chief showed against each other in fine harness classes.
I was watching Bill Dance with my brother inlaw yesterday. He said in the 60's, he bought a jitterbug lure, at a hardware store, on the sq in Lynchburg for $0.85. His Grandad took him to Cumberland Springs Lake (Motlows) & with the jitterbug, caught his first bass. The lake is now history. The dam has been pushed away.

According to one source, Chief's Allen was quite the show horse, once winning 20 blue ribbons in one season. He is reported to have sired 83 foals. I have also read that "Lemuel" Motlow was a quarrelsome man and that "Old Number 7" floundered under his management.

Shelbyville Riders

Old photos of folks riding horses in Bedford County

I'm only guessing but, One of the 3 girls on spotted ponies, could have been Amy Boyd, Amie Lee's mom.

I believe you might be correct Sadlbum. See if you can spot another well-known in this next batch.

I don't recognize anyone for certain. The Young guy standing beside the dark horse, looks like a picture I've seen of Dick West, who trained for awhile. The old man by the roan horse, at the BBQ looks very familiar. I don't recognize any of the females.

The young guy with the hat standing by the dark horse is none other than Bill Tune, former Celebration Director.
I think he may have ridden the very first WGC Walking Pony as well, if I'm not mistaken.

Berry Coffee was in that class & placed second. Bills dad Clyde was over the Celebration. Berry told me how he thought Bill got first! I wasn't there. Bill & Amy Boyd mostly showed Walk Trot ponies. Johny Warmbrod, Sherry Gambles dad was in there too.

I believe this next set is of horses & riders taking part in what was called "The Rideathon".

More Misc. Photos of People & Horses from Middle Tennessee


Preparing for a trail ride at New Herman, TN


Mrs. John W. Taylor of Eagleville with Grece Darling


Trail riders on Granny White Pike near Nashville


W.B. Boyd on a plantation horse in Marshall Co. TN


Ms. Louise Cashion of Belvidere, TN and a horse


More trail riders


A.B. & Mary Womack of Murfreesboro


Marianne Wilson of Shelbyville riding Windsor


Riders cross the Stones River near Murfreesboro


Bedford County farm hands with horse

The Celebration Parade

Photos from the first Celebration Parade in 1939.







and here's a few new ones............

....and here's some old shots of the 1939 Celebration Colt Show

Celebration Photos
From years past.

Smitty I am checking in from the Fentress County Library. Those are some really swell photos from Celebrations past.
Glad to hear there was a good turn out for the lunch gathering.
I plan to be at the Sand Creek Sale Friday.

Celebration winner


Unknown horse in van


Delaine Freeman, Pleasure Pony class, 1966

That first little girl in the last bunch of pixs must have won the 5-gaited pony class...since it looks like she's using a double rein bridle.

Good eye S61 !!! You're right, that is a Saddlebred winner at the Celebration, back in the days when they were a part of the big show as well.

Celebration Photos From The 70's

I myself can relate to these very well, for these shots depict the Celebration as I remember it in my youth. The old warm up ring was the epicenter of activity in those days and there was something going on there day or night. I actually recognize some of the folks in these photos, but have forgotten who they are or were. These are bittersweet to me because they bring me joy, yet are also a sad reminder of how time moves on.

Last Sat. Evening at 6:00 pm at the Cel., stake night 09, there were no people gathered at the warmup ring & only 1 horse was being peddled. It was so SAD!

Misc. Old Photos From Middle Tennessee


Aerial view of Murfreesboro


Dam on the Stones River, Murfreesboro

Mule Sale, Nashville


Roy Acuff at The Grand Ole Opry


Cast of The Grand Ole Opry