4/2/13 April 1965 issue of National Horseman

4/2/13  At last it’s April, so it’s back to the past and another magazine review.  This time the April 1965 issue of The National Horseman.   On the cover was a picture of Miss Nola, a five-gaited mare by Heart of Glory out of BHF Mountain Mistress.   Miss Nola earned her CH (Champion) designation in 1991 and she was actually pictured twice in this magazine.  The pictures show two entirely different horses.  It seems that during the 50’s, 60’s and into the 70’s, there were certain photographers that had a rather idealized notion of what a horse should look like.  They used a “cookie cutter” horse, and filled in the markings and slapped the rider’s face on and there you go;  they all looked pretty much alike.  The stallion photos were particularly guilty.  I’m not sure who started using unretouched photos, I think maybe it was Sargent, but whoever it was, we should all be thankful. 

Miss Nola, unretouched photo.

 

Wing Rhythm

Wing Commander X Sweet Rhythm (BHF)

His stud fee was $300 and in 1965, he was standing at Plainview Farms.  For a while he stood at Countryside Horse Farm in Ashland, OH.  He was bred by Dodge Stables, as was his full brother Rhythm Command.  I get the two confused, but Rhythm Command was owned by Mrs. Wm. P. Roth and stood on the West Coast.  Evidently ASHA has them confused too, since both horses have the same picture showing on the website.  This picture is from the stallion ad in 1965.

Pinetree Denmark

Delmar’s Colonel Valiant by Kalarama Colonel x Lucybob’s Sunshine. 

This photo is obviously retouched, but it refers to him as one of the breed’s most beautiful stallions.  He stood in Akron, Ohio.

Flame of Denmark

Oman’s Desdemona Denmark X Aflame (BHF)

He sired Madeira’s Gift who in turn sired Roseridge Heir, the sire of 3 time World’s Grand Champion five-gaited horse, CH Courageous Lord.

Starheart Gem

Starheart Stonewall X Anitra’s Dance by Nancy Highland’s Genius

Starheart Gem was one of the many, many stallions who stood over the years at Mary Miller Johnson’s Countryside Horse Farm in Ashland, Ohio.  I had the opportunity to try one of his daughters.  All I know was her barn name, Pretty, because she was indeed that.  She was the first five-gaited horse I ever rode. 

Highland Rex

I posted his picture because I am happy to see the resurgence in Parade Horses at saddlebred shows.  His registered name was Lingdooley Highland Rex.  I think I would have skipped the Lingdooley part too.

Golden Thunderbolt

Of course, this is Buddy’s grandsire, so his picture gets to go in another post.  At this time, he was owned by Mrs. Dorothea Denton of New Hampshire, since Frank Kupfer’s Grand View Farms had dispersed a couple of years earlier.  I’ve also pictured his daughter, Grand View’s Smiling Thru (shown as Smiling Through) who ended up being the dam of Ruffles ‘N Lace.  Both mares were owned by Jim Aikman and produced some very nice futurity colts. 

Private Contract

CH Anacacho Shamrock X Flirtation Walk (BHF) by CH King’s Genius

I posted him earlier, but here is another example of a very retouched photo. 

And finally we come to Bimbo King.  Has there ever been a positive interpretation of the term Bimbo?  This poor guy didn’t stand a chance with a name like that. 

 Americus Denmark and his full brother America’s Denmark both have stallion ads, but I have posted their pictures before.  Wing Commander was advertised at a stud fee of $1000, but his 1965 book was closed already.  He was 22 years old by then.  Vanity’s Sensation also had an ad, and his stud fee was $300.  There is a picture of Valley View Supreme standing at Ruxer Farms in Jasper, Indiana, stud fee $300.  Other ads included Hayfield Farm in Louisville, KY,  Twin Pine Farms, home of Ridgefield's Genius in Argyle  TX, Arthur Simmons  Stable in Mexico, MO, Chat Nichols Stables in Wheaton, IL, Crabtree Stables in Simpsonville, KY and many other well known former stables.