Trivia Archive 8

I remember Johnny Midnight. I wasn't a huge Ebony Masterpiece fan, but I remember that I thought Johnny was perhaps better, or at least I liked him better. I can't exactly remember what he looked like in the ring, but I remember all the hype. The one story I do remember is that, even back then, there was talk of government intervention on the show grounds. Those were the days when I used to dress up to go to the show. I had a date that night with someone most of you would know, so I won't call names, and he wanted to go see Mr. Sam and Johnny up on the hill while they were prepping for the class. So, here I go in my silk dress and high heels (I was a LOT smaller then too!!) and my pouffy hair. We got to the trailer up on the hill and it was draped with cloth curtains. My date went in, but I opted to wait outside. I saw the grooms keep peeking through the openings of the curtains. I was beginning to get a bit...well, a LOT... nervous until my date came out of the trailer dying laughing. They thought I was a "government spy" sent to check on what they were doing. I don't remember the class or how he did, but I would say it was either 1966 or 67 when that took place.

I can picture that in my mind....they also guarded the horses back then from what I was told to keep competitors from doing anything to the horses....heard a story (no idea if factual) that someone put "peas in a horse's ear" to make him shake his head from side to side...sabotage???

Celebration photo from 1962

OHM...Johnny Midnight placed 5th in his first attempt for the WGC in 1964; Carbon Copy won. He was ridden and trained by Shorty Branscum. In 1965 Sam Paschal took the reins and rode Johnny to the Reserve behind Triple Threat..this was his most successful attempt. The following year had Shaker's Shocker taking the 1966 title with Go Boy's Chatterbox placing Reserve and Johnny placing 5th. Mack Motes had taken over his training at this time and he would continue until Johnny retired. The judges that year were Benvis Beachboard; Carl Ingle; and Bob Womack. (I had forgotten who judged the year Shocker won.) Johnny's final attempt was in 1967 and he placed 3rd; Go Boy's Sundust won; Mr. Glo was 2nd and Chatterbox was 4th behind Johnny. He was retired in 1968 and died in 1969 of a twisted intestine. (He had been repossessed by A.S. Dean of Murfreesboro not long after his retirement; taken to his farm in Murfreesboro where he died in "virtual obscurity".)

SO..if you saw him with Sam it would have been in 1965 I guess?? Elmore Brock actually had him in between Sam and Mack but Elmore didn't show him at the Celebration. From what I read Elmore showed him extensively but he was put with Mack (at Vic Thompson Stables) before the '66 Celebration and he would go on to finish out his career with him. I love your story! There they were all nervous about you being the Feds and you were standing out there all nervous because they were acting so strange?? Those govt men are pretty sneaky though; dressing up their agents in high heels and silk dresses to go spy on a horse!! I remember when I used to dress up like that for the Celebration too...I mean I would get all decked out!!! I recall one outfit I wore..a tight pink and gray sweater dress/mini-skirt (and I mean mini!!) that I wore with big clunky boots and a purplish-maroon fur maxi coat...I looked more like I should have been walking on the street corner than the Celebration grounds!!!

From the Park City Daily News, 1963

This last article has a little glitch in it.It says the Simpson's sold eb to Billy hale in '62 after winning the 2 yr. class probably should have been about '60.

Hill, that is most likely right about the year, or maybe I am wrong about the trainer he went to see. It was a pretty funny story, though, after I got over being a nervous wreck. Do you remember when we all decked out in our newest winter finery and it was as much a fashion show as a horse show? You would burn UP in those corduroys and wools at the Celebration these days!!! I guess many things, including the weather, certainly has changed during the years. I will have to say I nearly froze to death on Championship Saturday this past year.

I miss the days of dressing up for the shows...I can remember hats coming back in style one year at Montgomery and everyone was wearing dressy hats! Though I am a casual type, I also enjoyed gettin' some new Celebration outfits each year. Always dressed on Sat nights!

I am looking for pics of Ebony's Royal Romper running loose in a paddock. I believe it was in an early 80's Blue Ribbon. Could someone see if they have the pics and could post them here please?

THANKS!!

I don't have those pics but if you have any interest in Royal Romper grandaughter I can help

Speaking of R R I had a call from Catfish Fields last week and he is on the mend and getting back on the road soon.

MIB...how much are we talking?? How old?? I would love to have a mare to breed to either Mister Pushbutton or that Sun's Delight D horse up the road from me.

What can we work out??

I sent Smitty a picture of Royal Romper , in Aug 1987 Voice.

Here is Royal Romper romping in the paddock. Thanks again Jean! You're pretty handy to have around!

THANKS !!

Sam Paschal with Ebony Masterpiece & Setting Sun

From The Lakeland Ledger, 1975

Smitty,where did you get that article.That's where I live,good old Polk Co. Fl. I didn't move here till '88 but I'm pretty sure the Tampa barn he is talking about is my good friend J.L. Conkle Stables.That is a pretty cool article.Thanks !!

Question: On the map of the Celebration grounds above......can anyone tell me what glaring feature on the map has CHANGED the most from then to now?