SlideShare a Scribd company logo
September/October 2011 | 1
SEPT/OCT 2011 $3.95
noalamag.com
OURMOSTBEAUTIFULISSUE
{INSIDEANDOUT}
THESHOALSEQUINEDYNASTY
ADESIGNINGCOUPLECOMESHOME
24 | No’Ala
A History of Championship Horses
TEXT BY CONNIE THWAITE » PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL
September/October 2011 | 25
PICTURE THIS.
The year is 1836. A somewhat portly gentleman in tradi-
tional riding attire sits proudly in the saddle atop a
splendid black stallion. The horse is Glencoe, perhaps
the most celebrated thoroughbred in racing history. His
rider is James Jackson, one of Florence’s founding
fathers. Jackson built the Forks of Cypress ante-bellum
mansion where he established a breeding farm of truly
exceptional horses and became known as the Father of
American Horse Racing.
Never heard the story of Glencoe and the lasting impact
he had—and still has—on the American horse industry?
Based on the quizzical expressions that greeted me
when I started talking about our local champion horses,
you are not alone. We’re famous for a lot of things in the
Shoals—the river, music, arts, history—but who knew
that one of the founders of Florence was the most suc-
cessful importer of British horses in the 19th
century and
that the Shoals was the epicenter of the horse industry
until after the Civil War?
Obviously, it is a story that needs to be told.
26 | No’Ala
THE BEST AND FASTEST
James Jackson earned accolades for importing more thoroughbreds than anyone in the country and for his
uncanny ability to select the best and the fastest. His greatest purchase was the legendary Glencoe in 1836.
Born in England and brought to America by Jackson, Glencoe was considered a great “filly-getter,” earning
the title of leading sire in America eight times.
At a stud fee of $100 per mating, Glencoe sired 481 foals from 1837 to 1854. His descendants have won the
Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, the Triple Crown and many other important races. Curtis Flowers,
researcher of horse racing in northern Alabama, said of Glencoe, “He’s one of the foundation sires for
today’s thoroughbreds. “
Among the other horses Jackson imported were Gallopade, a broodmare, and Leviathan, who was the lead-
ing American sire five times. Gallopade had quite a busy breeding career, producing Fandango and
Cotillion by Leviathan before breeding exclusively with Glencoe each year until her death. Many of their
progeny were in great demand, both on the race track and in the breeding barn.
Particularly noteworthy was Glencoe’s daughter Peytona. Bred at the Forks, Peytona won the 1843 Peyton
Stakes, earning $62,000, the largest horse racing prize to that date. She also triumphed in the “Great Race
between the North and South,” after walking 1,200 miles from Alabama to Long Island, New York. Accord-
ing to Florence banker Van Morgan, trading was halted on Wall Street that day, allowing stock traders to
attend the race. A Currier and Ives print entitled “Peytona and Fashion” depicted the race. The print can be
seen today in Florence’s Pope’s Tavern.
Also of special note was Reel, daughter of Glencoe and Galopade. Considered one of the greatest brood-
mares in history, Reel produced ten of the era’s fastest racehorses. A thoroughbred racehorse herself, Reel
won the prestigious Jockey Club Purse in 1841.
JACKSON BUILT THE FORKS OF CYPRESS ANTE-BELLUM MANSION WHERE HE ESTABLISHED A BREEDING FARM OF TRULY
EXCEPTIONAL HORSES AND BECAME KNOWN AS THE FATHER OF AMERICAN HORSE RACING.
Forks of Cypress
September/October 2011 | 27
The most famous—and fastest—of Glencoe’s progeny was
the quarter horse Peter McCue, born in 1895. Unusually
large at 16 hands and 1430 pounds, Peter McCue’s size did
not prevent him from running the fastest quarter mile in his-
tory. As a sire, he had great influence on the development of
today’s quarter horse and is a member of the American
Quarter Horse Hall of Fame.
According to author James Hervey in his book Racing in
America, Glencoe was “a truly epochal animal such as
appears only at rare intervals and with whom only a scatter-
ing few others of all time deserve to be ranked.” A plaque
placed within view of the Forks of Cypress by the Alabama
Tourism Department and Florence/Lauderdale Tourism
states in part: “His successful progeny insured such preva-
lence of the line that by mid-20th
century virtually no
thoroughbred in the world could be found who did not
descend from Glencoe of the Forks of Cypress.”
Glencoe, Gallopede, Leviathan, Peter McCue and a number
of their offspring are memorialized in portraits that hang
today in the New York Jockey Club. When Glencoe died in
1857 on a Kentucky farm, his death was reported throughout
America and Europe.
Jackson’s Broader Impact on Alabama History
In addition to his success in horse breeding and racing, Jack-
son had a lasting impact on northern Alabama. Born in
Ireland in 1782, he immigrated to America and lived to the
age of 58. Locally, he is renowned as the builder of the Forks
of Cypress mansion. Supported by 24 brick columns covered
with a mixture of mud, molasses, straw and horse hair, the
Forks was the center of life on a plantation consisting of
more than 3,000 acres five miles outside of downtown Flo-
rence.
Along with General John Coffee and Judge John McKinley,
Jackson created the Cypress Land Company, which pur-
chased the land on which Florence was founded. He also
served in both houses of the Alabama Legislature. Along
with his plantation, breeding farm and race course, he had
successful businesses in Nashville and New Orleans. He was
married to Sally Moore (in some accounts she is called
Sarah), with whom he raised 11 children at the Forks.
On June 6, 1966, the Forks of Cypress was struck by light-
ning, igniting the timbers and burning the mansion to the
ground. From a long line of cars parked along Jackson Road,
many Florence citizens watched the great fire. All that
remains today are the brick columns, forming a mysterious
spectacle stretching to the sky. In 1997, the site was placed
on the National Register of Historic Places.
DONNY YOUNG: REINING HORSE
TRAINER AND RIDER
Watching Donny Young riding his champion quarter horse
Gunalena Chex is riveting. Horse and rider seem united in a
choreographed dance they have practiced a thousand times.
With Young lightly touching the reins, Gunny, as he is affec-
tionately called, dips his head, bends his torso and spins in a
tight circular pattern. At one point, Donny drops the reins
entirely. “Show off!” a visitor
shouts out. Young responds
with a grin.
Called quarter horses
because they are the fastest
breed in the quarter mile,
quarter horses make excel-
lent “reining” and “cutting”
horses. Young originally
thought he would train
Gunny as a cutter. This dis-
cipline suits quarter horses
because their bone structure
and overall conformation, with appropriate training, make
them skilled at herding cattle and performing other ranch
duties. We’ve all seen western movies where the rider and
horse “cut off” cows that have wandered away and return
them to the herd. Those are cutting horses.
As a rule, Young begins training his quarter horses when
they are 3 years old. There are other owner/trainers who, in
order to take advantage of earlier opportunities to show their
quarter horses, begin when the horses are 2 years old. Young
believes that practice leads to broken bones because a two-
year old’s skeletal structure is not yet fully formed. And as he
says, “I’m not in it for the money. I’m in it for the fun.”
A Fateful Decision
In Gunny’s case, the horse underwent a difficult operation to
repair a hernia at the age of 3, then spent two years recover-
ing, so his training was delayed until he was 5. At that time,
Young says, “Something about the horse changed my mind.”
He decided not to train him as a cutter, as he had originally
planned, but instead as a reining horse.
According to Young, “Reining is the epitome of horseman-
ship.” In reining, the horse is guided with as little pressure
from the rider as possible. The discipline includes sliding to
a stop, circling, spinning and rolling back.
As it turned out, Young’s decision was fateful. In 2009 at the
age of 8, Gunny, a horse that had never been shown, became
the first reining horse from Alabama to become a world
champion.
Donny Young
Young had enlisted Rob Huddleston of
Pontotoc, Mississippi, to train Gunny.
Then a brief two months later, he asked
Huddleston to show the horse at the
2009 Dixie Nationals in New Iberia,
Louisiana. Young had planned on rid-
ing Gunny himself, but he sustained a
back injury. With Huddleston in the
saddle, Gunny won his class (Novice
Horse, Open Level 1 Division).
Riding a World Champion
Ridden by Huddleston, Gunny went on
to win every competition in which he
was shown, with the sole exception of
day one at a competition in Murfrees-
boro, Tennessee. That day, he “kicked
out” on Huddleston; but, on day two,
he was back in form. He stepped up to
the Intermediate Open Division and, to
the great surprise of Young, Huddle-
ston and the entire reining horse com-
munity, continued to collect winnings.
With championship rankings based on
earnings, Gunny’s total of $14,763
made him the National Racing Horse
Association Intermediate Open World
Champion.
An amazing achievement? Yes. But
perhaps less so considering Gunny’s
pedigree: His sire was the celebrated
Nu Chex To Cash, World Champion
and American Quarter Horse Associa-
tion (AQHA) High Point Reining and
Working Cow Horse. Moreover, Young
asserts, Gunny’s ancestry, like that of
every other quarter horse today, can be
traced to Peter McCue, and from Peter
McCue to Glencoe.
ED ROBBINS: BLUEWATER
CREEK POLO CLUB
What do you do if you’re Ed Robbins
and you’ve been bitten by the polo bug,
but there’s nowhere to play in the
Shoals? Buy a piece of property on
Bluewater Creek, create both a Polo
field and a race track, build stables, and
construct a two-story pavilion for par-
ties and events.
And what do you do if you want to
interview Robbins? You match your
schedule to his, meet him at Bluewater
Creek, and sit on the second floor of
the pavilion where ceilings fans create a
pleasant breeze on a hot July afternoon.
Along with Robbins, there is a small
entourage: Teena, his daughter and fel-
low polo enthusiast; Sheila, his
personal assistant; and two of Bluewa-
ter Creek’s grooms and trainers.
“I bought the land here in 1980,” Rob-
bins recalls. “It had been used to raise
corn, and I thought it was flat. But it had
28 | No’Ala
WATCHING DONNY YOUNG RIDING HIS CHAMPION QUARTER
HORSE GUNALENA CHEX IS RIVETING. HORSE AND RIDER SEEM
UNITED IN A CHOREOGRAPHED DANCE THEY HAVE PRACTICED
A THOUSAND TIMES.
WE’RE FAMOUS FOR A LOT OF THINGS IN THE SHOALSTHE RIVER, MUSIC, ARTS, HISTORYBUT
WHO KNEW THAT ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF FLORENCE WAS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IMPORTER
OF BRITISH HORSES IN THE 19TH CENTURY AND THAT THE SHOALS WAS THE EPICENTER OF THE
HORSE INDUSTRY UNTIL AFTER THE CIVIL WAR?
Donny Young on
Gunalena Chex
September/October 2011 | 29
Total Joints,
Breaks and
Sports Injuries
Shoals
Orthopedics
has an office
near you!
• 426 West College Street, Florence
• 203 Avalon Avenue, Suite 230, Muscle Shoals
• Physical Therapy: 128 W. Tombigbee St., Florence
256-718-4041
www. shoalsorthopedics.com
Dr. Lee Nichols,
Dr. Rebecca Moul
and Dr. Paul Davis
We know
how to party.
And we have everything you need for yours.
Party Works
5000 Whitesburg Drive S., Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35802
256-881-7780
17 fruits and vegetables
1 convenient capsule
Good health is not an option - it’s a
necessity. It’s also the source of true
beauty! I’m a Juice Plus+ Wellness
Educator, and I would like to give you
information to help you obtain and
maintain that beauty. Ask me about
Juice Plus+, your good health, and
how to sponsor a child for free!
Call Lucy Crosby
Juice Plus+ Wellness Educator
256-577-8106
www.lcrosbyjuiceplus.com
True beauty starts from within.
30 | No’Ala
also been used for hog pens, and there
were cars buried in the ground. The cars
were dug up, but horses would trip in
the holes and break their legs.” The
ground needed more than a facelift; it
needed a complete revamping.
A Vision Realized
But Robbins is a visionary— both in
work and in play. Today, his vision has
been realized. The grounds of Bluewa-
ter Creek Polo Club are a lovely
expanse of manicured grass. Large
fields are enclosed by white fencing
where horses graze lazily when they are
not being trained, ridden, or at play on
the polo field.
It is clear that Robbins loves horses,
has loved them all his life. As a child,
he says, “I had a walking horse with a
natural gait.” When he was old enough,
he progressed to competitive horse
jumping and fox hunting while raising
and training champion hunting dogs.
Then, in 1979, on a visit to Palm Beach,
Florida, he first experienced the lure of
polo. Now, he has been playing for
more than 30 years, and the team is an
official member of the Southeast Cir-
cuit of the United States Polo
Association.
Just watching a polo match is thrilling,
even for someone who knows little
about the game. Two teams of four
horses, their hoofs pounding, race up
and down the field. The players, wear-
ing red and white and wielding mallets,
grip the horses with their thighs as they
lean sideways to shoot the ball down
the field into each other’s goal. The
sights and sounds are like a shot of
adrenalin in the spectator’s heart.
It’s easy to understand when Teena
contributes to the conversation: “Polo
gets in your blood. All you want to do
is play.” And now, she says, “There are
three generations of us,” referring to
Robbins’ grandson, Judson Carlson,
who has joined the team.
Bringing Horse Racing Home
Now Robbins wants to bring horse rac-
ing back to northern Alabama. “We
raced horses here in the 90s,” he said. But
there are obstacles. For one thing, the
club track needs to be refurbished, no
small undertaking given the special mix
of soil and other ingredients that a race
track must have. For another thing, he is
looking to buy new horses. At the time
of the interview, he was considering a 2-
year old in Kentucky and a 4-year old in
Florida. He also is considering expand-
ing the search to Argentina, and Teena is
urging him to make the trip.
Robbins agrees with Donny Young’s
judgment about the age at which a
horse’s training should begin. “Two
years is too young,” Robbins says.
“Today, they go to extremes, and it
hurts the horse. In Argentina, racing
two-year olds is not even permitted.”
Does Robbins agree with Young’s
assertion that the bloodlines of all
ROBBINS IS A VISIONARY—BOTH IN WORK AND IN PLAY. TODAY, HIS VISION HAS BEEN REALIZED. THE GROUNDS
OF BLUEWATER CREEK POLO CLUB ARE A LOVELY EXPANSE OF MANICURED GRASS. LARGE FIELDS ARE ENCLOSED
BY WHITE FENCING WHERE HORSES GRAZE LAZILY WHEN THEY ARE NOT BEING TRAINED, RIDDEN, OR AT PLAY ON
THE POLO FIELD.
Ed Robbins (far right) playing polo at
his Bluewater Creek Polo Club
September/October 2011 | 31
If you talk about rehab,
assisted living or long term
care, sooner or later you’ll talk
about Glenwood.
We’ve been a premiere provider of
healthcare services in the Shoals for
35 years. At Glenwood Healthcare,
we are totally focused on your care.
Come talk to us about it!
Rehab • Assisted Living • Long-Term Care___________________________________
211 Ana Drive, Florence, AL 35630
256-768-2775 • www.glenwoodhc.com
I’m Anne Bernauer and Iwant to be your Realtor®
— for life.
Call 256-740-0706 or 256-757-9008
Email anne@annewillsell.com
Visit www.annewillsell.com
Opportunities like this
happen once in a lifetime.
Mapleton was built in the
1820’s and has been a vital
part of this area — you will
fall in love with its grace and
beauty. Four large bed-
rooms, two full and two half
baths, a formal living and
dining room and a new
kitchen are just
a few of the
reasons to
call for
your
appoint-
ment.
MAPLETON
Own a piece of history!
This is not just a home —
it’s a landmark. 420 S.
Pine Street, Florence -
$389,500
32 | No’Ala
American champion horses can be traced back to Glencoe. “Let me put it this
way,” Robbins says, carefully measuring his words. “Glencoe was influential and
had a great impact on breeding. But all horses?” He shakes his head ruefully.
Robbins concludes the interview with an open invitation to the Polo Club. “Any-
one is welcome to come watch,” he says, “Unless we’re having a special event.” He
wants to spread the news that polo in the Shoals is alive, fun and exciting.
JAMES GRAHAM AND DAVID ADAMO:
QUEST FOR OLYMPIC GOLD
As an award-winning equestrian, trainer, coach and “eventing” judge, Jim Graham
is unquestionably an expert when it comes to appraising the potential of horses.
The first time Graham saw Prince Noah, he immediately knew he was looking at a
champion thoroughbred. An imposing stallion, 17.2 hands high, with a glossy coat
the color of cappuccino, a black mane and tail, and a growing collection of ribbons
and awards, Prince Noah is indeed a majestic horse.
As Graham tells it, Prince Noah is also a survivor. When the flooding from Hurri-
cane Katrina began in Biloxi, Mississippi, Prince Noah’s former owners opened the
stable doors and let all the horses run free. It was, they thought, the horses’ only
chance of survival. As it turned out, they were right, although Prince Noah and
the other horses were carried away by the flood waters and trapped in a circle of
trees for a week before the were rescued. The owners, faced with property devas-
tation in the wake of Katrina, put the horses up for sale.
WITH GRAHAM AS HIS DEDICATED COACH, ADAMO NOW CONCENTRATES MOST OF HIS TIME AND ENERGY
TRAINING PRINCE NOAH AND TWO OTHER UP AND COMING CHAMPION HORSES, RIVER KING AND MARVELES.
Top: David Adamo with his trio of
championship horses; Above: Jim
Graham with Prince Noah
September/October 2011 | 33
Every baby is a beautiful person. We know, because so
many of them are born at The Women’s Pavilion at ECM
Hospital. We’re the Birthplace of the Shoals.
www.ecmhospital.com
Visit www.timesdaily.com and vote for your favorite
beautiful baby in the Oh, Baby! calendar contest
201 Cox Creek Parkway, Florence, at the corner of Florence Blvd. • 256-718-6868
Sushi was introduced to Japan from China in the seventh century, and is the most famous form of Japanese food outside of Japan. Sushi does NOT mean raw fish - that’s called sashimi, and
although sashimi can be used in sushi, it is not always. Sushi is healthy, fresh, and a work of art—and we would love to introduce you to it at UMI Japanese Steakhouse.
For a unique dining experience, come to UMI Japanese Steakhouse. We make your occasions SPECIAL!
Bring this ad and get a Banana Tempura dessert FREE!
(Expires July 31, 2011)
34 | No’Ala
Along with Graham, seven prospective
buyers from Arkansas, Mississippi and
Alabama saw Prince Noah and recog-
nized his potential. Graham
immediately contacted fellow eques-
trian and friend David Adamo, a
California native with impressive cre-
dentials of his own. Graham recalls
saying, “If you think I know anything
about horses, you’ll come.”
Trusting Graham’s instincts, Adamo
hopped on the first flight he could get.
What he saw in Prince Noah, he says,
was “raw talent, athleticism and intelli-
gence.” Although Noah had never been
trained, Adamo says, “He did every-
thing I asked the first the time I rode
him.” The horse so impressed Adamo
that he promptly traveled back to Cali-
fornia to seek financial sponsors. In
2008, he returned to Alabama and pur-
chased Prince Noah. Since then, he has
resided and trained at Meadow Run
Farm, Graham’s horse farm located in
the bucolic countryside just north of
Florence.
Olympic Journey
With Graham as his dedicated coach,
Adamo now concentrates most of his
time and energy training Prince Noah
and two other up and coming cham-
pion horses, River King and Marveles.
His ultimate goal, one shared by Gra-
ham, is a place on the 2012 Olympic
Team in England—a dream that is
coming nearer to realization with every
event in which he competes.
In 2010, Adamo was invited to join an
elite group of eastern equestrians at the
2010 World Cup Qualifying competi-
tion held in Montana. Out of a field of
500 horses, with 30 to 40 in his class,
Adamo and Prince Noah finished third
behind multi-Olympic medalist Karen
O’Connor. As a result, Adamo was
long- listed for the U.S. Equestrian
Team—a significant step in the
Olympic journey.
Adamo and Prince Noah delivered
another spectacular performance at the
2010 Fairhill International Olympic
Qualifier Event in Maryland. With U.S.
Olympic Team scouts watching,
Adamo placed in the top 10. This per-
formance earned Adamo a nomination
to the Olympic Developing Rider’s
list—and Adamo took another leap
toward the Olympics.
Dressage, Cross Country
and Show Jumping
If you ever have an opportunity to
watch Adamo eventing, be prepared
for a breathtaking experience. Eventing
is a series of three challenging tests of
horse and rider aptitude—Dressage,
Cross Country and Show Jumping. The
rules of eventing are defined by the
United States Eventing Association
(USEA), the national organization
governing the sport.
In Dressage, the horse and rider
progress through a series of challeng-
ing movements that the horse must
perform with grace and precision. The
objective is to prove the horse’s skill,
balance, rhythm and obedience while
demonstrating harmony between the
horse and rider. Adamo and Prince
Noah consistently execute the Dressage
phase faultlessly.
From the spectator’s perspective, the
Cross Country phase appears harrow-
ing. It is a timed event on a long circuit
with many obstacles. Proceeding at an
optimal speed, the horse and rider
encounter fences (between 12 and 40,
depending on the level of competition),
stone walls, water features, ditches, and
steeply graded drops and banks. To
complete the circuit successfully, the
horse and rider must be in prime phys-
ical condition and have absolute trust
in each other—attributes that are
clearly evident in Adamo and Prince
Noah.
The third phase, Show Jumping, is also
timed, with a penalty for every second
over the required time. The event tests
the horse and rider’s jumping skills as
they vault over a series of between 12
and 20 fences set up in a circular
pattern. Typically, the fences are
brightly colored with parts that can be
kicked or knocked down by the horse.
Show Jumping particularly tests the
horse’s athleticism and stamina as it
follows the physically demanding Cross
Country phase. In a recent event,
Adamo and Prince Noah performed
with only a single fault—a kicked fence
rail.
Financing the Quest
The cost of maintaining, training and
competing with Olympic-level horses
is enormous. Travel expenses alone are
immense; and with upcoming trips to
England and Australia for World Cup
and Olympic qualifying events,
expenses are multiplying rapidly.
Who pays for all this? Unlike other
countries, the U.S. provides no finan-
cial assistance to Olympic candidates.
Neither Graham nor Adamo is wealthy,
so fundraising is a constant struggle.
They seek sponsorships, serve as certi-
fied trainers at clinics across the
country, and run a time-intensive
training program at Meadow Run
Farm. “Everything we do is to raise
money so we can keep competing,” says
Graham. “We don’t do it for money.
The journey is fun. It’s a way of life.”
Both Graham and Adamo love to
coach beginners, taking them from
“green” riders with no experience and
molding them into championship level
competitors. With their impressive cre-
dentials, they are in high demand as
instructors. Graham was a member of
the 1994 World Equestrian Games,
narrowly missing gold when his horse,
Rosie, was withdrawn from the compe-
tition due to a pulled muscle. He
represented the U.S. in numerous
international competitions and, until
he was compelled to resign because of
his association with Adamo, was a U.S.
Equestrian Team Selector. As a Level 4
instructor certified by the USEA, he
instructs riders through the Advanced
level.
Adamo has been riding since he was 6
and eventing since he was 16. He is a for-
2508 East Avalon Avenue
Muscle Shoals · 256-381-6889
www.jamiehoodonline.com
VISIT US AT OUR
NEW SHOWROOM
If you are buying or selling real
estate, we should talk. At
Alabama Land Services, our
professionals can help you with
title searches, title insurance
and real estate closings from the
convenience of our downtown
Florence location. Our tech-
nology is state-of-the-art, but
our dedication to service is
124 years old.
We make it easy for you!
Chris Bobo, owner
110 South Pine Street
Florence AL 35630
256-764-2141
www.alabamalandservices.com
Proper(ty) Authority
September/October 2011 | 35
36 | No’Ala
mer U.S. Eventing Association Chairman for Area VI (California) and a U.S. Pony Club
traveling instructor. He has trained with an impressive list of former U.S. Equestrian Team
members—all leading up to his determination to participate on the international level
and, ultimately, compete in the 2012 Olympics. He is a Level 3 instructor certified by the
USEA, permitting him to train Novice through Intermediate riders.
Olympic Gold In Sight
For Graham and Adamo, the past four years of training and competing have been chal-
lenging, exhausting at times, yet richly gratifying. And the true reward for their
persistence and hard work—Adamo’s competing for Olympic Gold—is nearly in sight, not
far beyond the rolling hills of Meadow Run Farm. N
A CONVERSATION WITH
RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN
Richard Chamberlain is a senior writer for
the American Quarter Horse Journal. A
brief conversation yields a few enlighten-
ing facts to someone who is a novice in the
world of horses.
Thoroughbred and quarter horses come
from the same bloodlines. Quarter
horses were developed in the 1600s
using thoroughbreds mated with mares
belonging to Native American Chicka-
saws.
Quarter horses have the fastest time in
the quarter mile. They are tough, hardy
and agile.
Thoroughbreds are distance runners,
akin to humans who run in marathons.
The difference between cutting horses
and reining horses is the training and
handling. To complete its tasks on the
ranch, a cutting horse need no guidance.
It knows what it needs to do; the rider
has to simply let the horse run.
Reining horses need guidance to per-
form; however, the less guidance, the
better the horse.
Chamberlain is particularly informative
regarding polo horses:
Polo horses are called ponies although
they are full size. They are carefully
selected for quick bursts of speed, agility
and maneuverability. Temperament is
critical; the pony must remain respon-
sive under pressure and not become
excited or difficult to control.
Polo ponies are trained to be handled
with one hand on the reins and to be
responsive to the rider’s leg and weight
cues for moving forward, turning and
stopping.
Polo ponies are very athletic and have
great stamina to perform well through-
out the 7-minute chucker. (A Polo
match chucker is the equivalent of a
quarter in a football game.)
Chamberlain’s take on the controversy
over whether the lineage of all quarter
horses today can be traced back to Glen-
coe: “Doubtful.”
In addition to the awards noted in this article, we identified the following championship level horses
and their owners from the Shoals. As this list illustrates, there are many unsung champion horses in
the Shoals! If you know of anyone we missed, we would be glad to hear from you.
Easter Parade, Jim Graham
United States Equestrian Team–World Equestrian Game Representative–Multiple Jumping & Cross
Country Championships
Mighty Mite, Debi Crowley
Radnor International Hunt–CCI Championship
Negras Bar Girl, Lazy M Barrel Horses
United Barrel Horse Association–Youth–4-D Championship
Skip A True Nick, Lazy M Barrel Horses
United Barrel Horse Association–Open–4-D Championship
For The Love Of The Game, Jennifer Jubb
American Quarter Horse Youth Association–Halter–World Championship
Ready For The Weekend, Jennifer Jubb
American Quarter Horse Youth Association–Halter–World Championship
Heza Stemwinder, Laura Young Moseley
American Quarter Horse Association–Halter–World Championship
DS Roman Kid Clue, David Stone
American Quarter Horse Association–Halter–Open World Championship
Star Ardical, Jimmy & Sharon Black
American Quarter Horse Association–Halter Palomino–World Championship
Gunalena Chex, Donny & Mary Young
National Reining Horse Association–Intermediate Open–World Championship
Instance, Randy & Nicole Aldridge
National Cutting Horse Association–Multiple Cutting Horse Championships
Smart Lil Badger, Randy & Nicole Aldridge
National Cutting Horse Association–Multiple Cutting Horse Championships
Justanotherwhiteboy, Randy & Nicole Aldridge
National Cutting Horse Association–Futurity Finalist–Multiple Cutting Horse Championships
Fire Marshall Bill, Todd & Beth Weatherford
Arabian English Pleasure–2 Time Reserve–National U.S. Championship & Junior English National
Championship
Rohavamericanelegance, Todd & Beth Weatherford
Arabian–Reserve Halter–National Championship
Magnoms Fire At Will, Todd & Beth Weatherford
Arabian Hunter–Sidesaddle–Multiple Regional Championships
Watch It Now, Jack Littrell
Walking Horse–World Grand Championship
Call Me Ted, Jack Littrell
Walking Horse–World Championship

More Related Content

What's hot

Van Tour 63 Canada 1999
Van Tour 63 Canada 1999Van Tour 63 Canada 1999
Van Tour 63 Canada 1999
How Gregg
 
Quiz
QuizQuiz
Pioneer Ancestors of Erma P Gordon Anderson
Pioneer Ancestors of Erma P Gordon AndersonPioneer Ancestors of Erma P Gordon Anderson
Pioneer Ancestors of Erma P Gordon Anderson
JoeAnd41
 
The chisholm trail
The chisholm trailThe chisholm trail
The chisholm trail
Michelle Martinez
 
Things to do in Pennsylvania
Things to do in PennsylvaniaThings to do in Pennsylvania
Things to do in Pennsylvania
RachelKoesser
 
Clan donald late fall 2013
Clan donald late fall 2013Clan donald late fall 2013
Clan donald late fall 2013
Connie Sanders
 
Emily Ellen Peacock & Thomas Smith
Emily Ellen Peacock & Thomas SmithEmily Ellen Peacock & Thomas Smith
Emily Ellen Peacock & Thomas Smith
JoeAnd41
 
Van Tour 27 Heartland 1996
Van Tour 27 Heartland 1996Van Tour 27 Heartland 1996
Van Tour 27 Heartland 1996
How Gregg
 
James Spann's Favorite Route To The Alabama Beaches
James Spann's Favorite Route To The Alabama BeachesJames Spann's Favorite Route To The Alabama Beaches
James Spann's Favorite Route To The Alabama Beaches
Nathan Young
 
The Harveys Of Harveysburg
The Harveys Of HarveysburgThe Harveys Of Harveysburg
The Harveys Of Harveysburg
karencampbell46
 
Exploring the History of Edson and Area
Exploring the History of Edson and AreaExploring the History of Edson and Area
Exploring the History of Edson and Area
Kierra McKay
 
The Oregon Trail (right one)
The Oregon Trail (right one)The Oregon Trail (right one)
The Oregon Trail (right one)
KCTCS
 
The Oregon Trail
The Oregon TrailThe Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail
cphippen2
 
The Oregon Trail & California
The Oregon Trail & CaliforniaThe Oregon Trail & California
The Oregon Trail & California
Mary Heuer
 
Chapter 1 of Rob Pyne: A Far Northern Life
Chapter 1 of Rob Pyne: A Far Northern LifeChapter 1 of Rob Pyne: A Far Northern Life
Chapter 1 of Rob Pyne: A Far Northern Life
Rob Pyne
 
Mary Ann "Annie" Peacock & Thomas Pilgrim
Mary Ann  "Annie"  Peacock & Thomas PilgrimMary Ann  "Annie"  Peacock & Thomas Pilgrim
Mary Ann "Annie" Peacock & Thomas Pilgrim
JoeAnd41
 
CCC and WPA in the Big Lost River Valley & Mackay Idaho
CCC and WPA in the Big Lost River Valley & Mackay IdahoCCC and WPA in the Big Lost River Valley & Mackay Idaho
CCC and WPA in the Big Lost River Valley & Mackay Idaho
rudi 48
 
GlassboroHistoryBooklet-2016.compressed
GlassboroHistoryBooklet-2016.compressedGlassboroHistoryBooklet-2016.compressed
GlassboroHistoryBooklet-2016.compressed
Mary Lee Donahue
 
Epcc chap2
Epcc chap2Epcc chap2
Epcc chap2
Catherine Cagle
 
September 2006: The Civil War
September 2006: The Civil WarSeptember 2006: The Civil War
September 2006: The Civil War
Westerville Library
 

What's hot (20)

Van Tour 63 Canada 1999
Van Tour 63 Canada 1999Van Tour 63 Canada 1999
Van Tour 63 Canada 1999
 
Quiz
QuizQuiz
Quiz
 
Pioneer Ancestors of Erma P Gordon Anderson
Pioneer Ancestors of Erma P Gordon AndersonPioneer Ancestors of Erma P Gordon Anderson
Pioneer Ancestors of Erma P Gordon Anderson
 
The chisholm trail
The chisholm trailThe chisholm trail
The chisholm trail
 
Things to do in Pennsylvania
Things to do in PennsylvaniaThings to do in Pennsylvania
Things to do in Pennsylvania
 
Clan donald late fall 2013
Clan donald late fall 2013Clan donald late fall 2013
Clan donald late fall 2013
 
Emily Ellen Peacock & Thomas Smith
Emily Ellen Peacock & Thomas SmithEmily Ellen Peacock & Thomas Smith
Emily Ellen Peacock & Thomas Smith
 
Van Tour 27 Heartland 1996
Van Tour 27 Heartland 1996Van Tour 27 Heartland 1996
Van Tour 27 Heartland 1996
 
James Spann's Favorite Route To The Alabama Beaches
James Spann's Favorite Route To The Alabama BeachesJames Spann's Favorite Route To The Alabama Beaches
James Spann's Favorite Route To The Alabama Beaches
 
The Harveys Of Harveysburg
The Harveys Of HarveysburgThe Harveys Of Harveysburg
The Harveys Of Harveysburg
 
Exploring the History of Edson and Area
Exploring the History of Edson and AreaExploring the History of Edson and Area
Exploring the History of Edson and Area
 
The Oregon Trail (right one)
The Oregon Trail (right one)The Oregon Trail (right one)
The Oregon Trail (right one)
 
The Oregon Trail
The Oregon TrailThe Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail
 
The Oregon Trail & California
The Oregon Trail & CaliforniaThe Oregon Trail & California
The Oregon Trail & California
 
Chapter 1 of Rob Pyne: A Far Northern Life
Chapter 1 of Rob Pyne: A Far Northern LifeChapter 1 of Rob Pyne: A Far Northern Life
Chapter 1 of Rob Pyne: A Far Northern Life
 
Mary Ann "Annie" Peacock & Thomas Pilgrim
Mary Ann  "Annie"  Peacock & Thomas PilgrimMary Ann  "Annie"  Peacock & Thomas Pilgrim
Mary Ann "Annie" Peacock & Thomas Pilgrim
 
CCC and WPA in the Big Lost River Valley & Mackay Idaho
CCC and WPA in the Big Lost River Valley & Mackay IdahoCCC and WPA in the Big Lost River Valley & Mackay Idaho
CCC and WPA in the Big Lost River Valley & Mackay Idaho
 
GlassboroHistoryBooklet-2016.compressed
GlassboroHistoryBooklet-2016.compressedGlassboroHistoryBooklet-2016.compressed
GlassboroHistoryBooklet-2016.compressed
 
Epcc chap2
Epcc chap2Epcc chap2
Epcc chap2
 
September 2006: The Civil War
September 2006: The Civil WarSeptember 2006: The Civil War
September 2006: The Civil War
 

Similar to The Shoals Equine Dynasty

National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Inducts New Horses and Horsemen
National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Inducts New Horses and Horsemen National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Inducts New Horses and Horsemen
National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Inducts New Horses and Horsemen
Haley Weiss
 
Gone Away: Mike Hanagan and Star Power
Gone Away: Mike Hanagan and Star PowerGone Away: Mike Hanagan and Star Power
Gone Away: Mike Hanagan and Star Power
Haley Weiss
 
Gone Away: William Montague Backer, Dr. Max Gahwyler and Ice D'Ancoeur
Gone Away: William Montague Backer, Dr. Max Gahwyler and Ice D'Ancoeur Gone Away: William Montague Backer, Dr. Max Gahwyler and Ice D'Ancoeur
Gone Away: William Montague Backer, Dr. Max Gahwyler and Ice D'Ancoeur
Haley Weiss
 
week 7 (2)
week 7 (2)week 7 (2)
week 7 (2)
Brad Reid
 
The abc’s of north carolina
The abc’s of north carolinaThe abc’s of north carolina
The abc’s of north carolina
claytonan
 
Horse racing
Horse racingHorse racing
Horse racing
fse1216
 
BSF100_Oct13_cropped
BSF100_Oct13_croppedBSF100_Oct13_cropped
BSF100_Oct13_cropped
"LandSpeed" Louise Noeth
 
NYHorseFall15Time&Again22-27
NYHorseFall15Time&Again22-27NYHorseFall15Time&Again22-27
NYHorseFall15Time&Again22-27
L.A. Pomeroy - Equinista
 
Ethan p
Ethan pEthan p
Ethan p
mollya1966
 
A Proposal And Analysis Of Horse And Farm Operations As A Venture Business
A Proposal And Analysis Of Horse And Farm Operations As A Venture BusinessA Proposal And Analysis Of Horse And Farm Operations As A Venture Business
A Proposal And Analysis Of Horse And Farm Operations As A Venture Business
Martin Mongiello
 
My Faves: Hunter Holloway
My Faves: Hunter Holloway My Faves: Hunter Holloway
My Faves: Hunter Holloway
Haley Weiss
 
Gone Away: Robert Kip Altman and Russell Frey
Gone Away: Robert Kip Altman and Russell FreyGone Away: Robert Kip Altman and Russell Frey
Gone Away: Robert Kip Altman and Russell Frey
Haley Weiss
 
Horse powerpoint
Horse powerpointHorse powerpoint
Horse powerpoint
Lis Regula
 
Introduction To The Iditarod
Introduction To The IditarodIntroduction To The Iditarod
Introduction To The Iditarod
George Mayfield
 
Harness racing booklet
Harness racing bookletHarness racing booklet
Brooklyn Race Track Update 2012
Brooklyn Race Track Update 2012Brooklyn Race Track Update 2012
Brooklyn Race Track Update 2012
kennethlavelle
 
Kentucky derby ppt
Kentucky derby pptKentucky derby ppt
Kentucky derby ppt
Melissa Watson
 
Kentucky derby ppt
Kentucky derby pptKentucky derby ppt
Kentucky derby ppt
Melissa Watson
 
Tom Ryan
Tom RyanTom Ryan
Tom Ryan
Jessica Lamb
 
Horses
Horses Horses
Horses
KhalidKaram2
 

Similar to The Shoals Equine Dynasty (20)

National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Inducts New Horses and Horsemen
National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Inducts New Horses and Horsemen National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Inducts New Horses and Horsemen
National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Inducts New Horses and Horsemen
 
Gone Away: Mike Hanagan and Star Power
Gone Away: Mike Hanagan and Star PowerGone Away: Mike Hanagan and Star Power
Gone Away: Mike Hanagan and Star Power
 
Gone Away: William Montague Backer, Dr. Max Gahwyler and Ice D'Ancoeur
Gone Away: William Montague Backer, Dr. Max Gahwyler and Ice D'Ancoeur Gone Away: William Montague Backer, Dr. Max Gahwyler and Ice D'Ancoeur
Gone Away: William Montague Backer, Dr. Max Gahwyler and Ice D'Ancoeur
 
week 7 (2)
week 7 (2)week 7 (2)
week 7 (2)
 
The abc’s of north carolina
The abc’s of north carolinaThe abc’s of north carolina
The abc’s of north carolina
 
Horse racing
Horse racingHorse racing
Horse racing
 
BSF100_Oct13_cropped
BSF100_Oct13_croppedBSF100_Oct13_cropped
BSF100_Oct13_cropped
 
NYHorseFall15Time&Again22-27
NYHorseFall15Time&Again22-27NYHorseFall15Time&Again22-27
NYHorseFall15Time&Again22-27
 
Ethan p
Ethan pEthan p
Ethan p
 
A Proposal And Analysis Of Horse And Farm Operations As A Venture Business
A Proposal And Analysis Of Horse And Farm Operations As A Venture BusinessA Proposal And Analysis Of Horse And Farm Operations As A Venture Business
A Proposal And Analysis Of Horse And Farm Operations As A Venture Business
 
My Faves: Hunter Holloway
My Faves: Hunter Holloway My Faves: Hunter Holloway
My Faves: Hunter Holloway
 
Gone Away: Robert Kip Altman and Russell Frey
Gone Away: Robert Kip Altman and Russell FreyGone Away: Robert Kip Altman and Russell Frey
Gone Away: Robert Kip Altman and Russell Frey
 
Horse powerpoint
Horse powerpointHorse powerpoint
Horse powerpoint
 
Introduction To The Iditarod
Introduction To The IditarodIntroduction To The Iditarod
Introduction To The Iditarod
 
Harness racing booklet
Harness racing bookletHarness racing booklet
Harness racing booklet
 
Brooklyn Race Track Update 2012
Brooklyn Race Track Update 2012Brooklyn Race Track Update 2012
Brooklyn Race Track Update 2012
 
Kentucky derby ppt
Kentucky derby pptKentucky derby ppt
Kentucky derby ppt
 
Kentucky derby ppt
Kentucky derby pptKentucky derby ppt
Kentucky derby ppt
 
Tom Ryan
Tom RyanTom Ryan
Tom Ryan
 
Horses
Horses Horses
Horses
 

Recently uploaded

一比一原版(McGill毕业证书)麦吉尔大学毕业证如何办理
一比一原版(McGill毕业证书)麦吉尔大学毕业证如何办理一比一原版(McGill毕业证书)麦吉尔大学毕业证如何办理
一比一原版(McGill毕业证书)麦吉尔大学毕业证如何办理
lyurzi7r
 
Insanony: Watch Instagram Stories Secretly - A Complete Guide
Insanony: Watch Instagram Stories Secretly - A Complete GuideInsanony: Watch Instagram Stories Secretly - A Complete Guide
Insanony: Watch Instagram Stories Secretly - A Complete Guide
Trending Blogers
 
Analysis and Assessment of Gateway Process – HemiSync(1).PDF
Analysis and Assessment of Gateway Process – HemiSync(1).PDFAnalysis and Assessment of Gateway Process – HemiSync(1).PDF
Analysis and Assessment of Gateway Process – HemiSync(1).PDF
JoshuaDagama1
 
Self-Discipline: The Secret Weapon for Certain Victory
Self-Discipline: The Secret Weapon for Certain VictorySelf-Discipline: The Secret Weapon for Certain Victory
Self-Discipline: The Secret Weapon for Certain Victory
bluetroyvictorVinay
 
thrifthands-thrift store- get the latest trends
thrifthands-thrift store- get the latest trendsthrifthands-thrift store- get the latest trends
thrifthands-thrift store- get the latest trends
amarshifan555
 
The Fascinating World of Bats: Unveiling the Secrets of the Night
The Fascinating World of Bats: Unveiling the Secrets of the NightThe Fascinating World of Bats: Unveiling the Secrets of the Night
The Fascinating World of Bats: Unveiling the Secrets of the Night
thomasard1122
 
MRS PUNE 2024 - WINNER AMRUTHAA UTTAM JAGDHANE
MRS PUNE 2024 - WINNER AMRUTHAA UTTAM JAGDHANEMRS PUNE 2024 - WINNER AMRUTHAA UTTAM JAGDHANE
MRS PUNE 2024 - WINNER AMRUTHAA UTTAM JAGDHANE
DK PAGEANT
 
Biography and career history of Bruno Amezcua
Biography and career history of Bruno AmezcuaBiography and career history of Bruno Amezcua
Biography and career history of Bruno Amezcua
Bruno Amezcua
 
MISS TEEN LUCKNOW 2024 - WINNER ASIYA 2024
MISS TEEN LUCKNOW 2024 - WINNER ASIYA 2024MISS TEEN LUCKNOW 2024 - WINNER ASIYA 2024
MISS TEEN LUCKNOW 2024 - WINNER ASIYA 2024
DK PAGEANT
 
Types of Garage Doors Explained: Energy Efficiency, Style, and More
Types of Garage Doors Explained: Energy Efficiency, Style, and MoreTypes of Garage Doors Explained: Energy Efficiency, Style, and More
Types of Garage Doors Explained: Energy Efficiency, Style, and More
Affordable Garage Door Repair
 
Capsule Wardrobe Women: A document show
Capsule Wardrobe Women:  A document showCapsule Wardrobe Women:  A document show
Capsule Wardrobe Women: A document show
mustaphaadeyemi08
 

Recently uploaded (11)

一比一原版(McGill毕业证书)麦吉尔大学毕业证如何办理
一比一原版(McGill毕业证书)麦吉尔大学毕业证如何办理一比一原版(McGill毕业证书)麦吉尔大学毕业证如何办理
一比一原版(McGill毕业证书)麦吉尔大学毕业证如何办理
 
Insanony: Watch Instagram Stories Secretly - A Complete Guide
Insanony: Watch Instagram Stories Secretly - A Complete GuideInsanony: Watch Instagram Stories Secretly - A Complete Guide
Insanony: Watch Instagram Stories Secretly - A Complete Guide
 
Analysis and Assessment of Gateway Process – HemiSync(1).PDF
Analysis and Assessment of Gateway Process – HemiSync(1).PDFAnalysis and Assessment of Gateway Process – HemiSync(1).PDF
Analysis and Assessment of Gateway Process – HemiSync(1).PDF
 
Self-Discipline: The Secret Weapon for Certain Victory
Self-Discipline: The Secret Weapon for Certain VictorySelf-Discipline: The Secret Weapon for Certain Victory
Self-Discipline: The Secret Weapon for Certain Victory
 
thrifthands-thrift store- get the latest trends
thrifthands-thrift store- get the latest trendsthrifthands-thrift store- get the latest trends
thrifthands-thrift store- get the latest trends
 
The Fascinating World of Bats: Unveiling the Secrets of the Night
The Fascinating World of Bats: Unveiling the Secrets of the NightThe Fascinating World of Bats: Unveiling the Secrets of the Night
The Fascinating World of Bats: Unveiling the Secrets of the Night
 
MRS PUNE 2024 - WINNER AMRUTHAA UTTAM JAGDHANE
MRS PUNE 2024 - WINNER AMRUTHAA UTTAM JAGDHANEMRS PUNE 2024 - WINNER AMRUTHAA UTTAM JAGDHANE
MRS PUNE 2024 - WINNER AMRUTHAA UTTAM JAGDHANE
 
Biography and career history of Bruno Amezcua
Biography and career history of Bruno AmezcuaBiography and career history of Bruno Amezcua
Biography and career history of Bruno Amezcua
 
MISS TEEN LUCKNOW 2024 - WINNER ASIYA 2024
MISS TEEN LUCKNOW 2024 - WINNER ASIYA 2024MISS TEEN LUCKNOW 2024 - WINNER ASIYA 2024
MISS TEEN LUCKNOW 2024 - WINNER ASIYA 2024
 
Types of Garage Doors Explained: Energy Efficiency, Style, and More
Types of Garage Doors Explained: Energy Efficiency, Style, and MoreTypes of Garage Doors Explained: Energy Efficiency, Style, and More
Types of Garage Doors Explained: Energy Efficiency, Style, and More
 
Capsule Wardrobe Women: A document show
Capsule Wardrobe Women:  A document showCapsule Wardrobe Women:  A document show
Capsule Wardrobe Women: A document show
 

The Shoals Equine Dynasty

  • 1. September/October 2011 | 1 SEPT/OCT 2011 $3.95 noalamag.com OURMOSTBEAUTIFULISSUE {INSIDEANDOUT} THESHOALSEQUINEDYNASTY ADESIGNINGCOUPLECOMESHOME
  • 2. 24 | No’Ala A History of Championship Horses TEXT BY CONNIE THWAITE » PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL
  • 3. September/October 2011 | 25 PICTURE THIS. The year is 1836. A somewhat portly gentleman in tradi- tional riding attire sits proudly in the saddle atop a splendid black stallion. The horse is Glencoe, perhaps the most celebrated thoroughbred in racing history. His rider is James Jackson, one of Florence’s founding fathers. Jackson built the Forks of Cypress ante-bellum mansion where he established a breeding farm of truly exceptional horses and became known as the Father of American Horse Racing. Never heard the story of Glencoe and the lasting impact he had—and still has—on the American horse industry? Based on the quizzical expressions that greeted me when I started talking about our local champion horses, you are not alone. We’re famous for a lot of things in the Shoals—the river, music, arts, history—but who knew that one of the founders of Florence was the most suc- cessful importer of British horses in the 19th century and that the Shoals was the epicenter of the horse industry until after the Civil War? Obviously, it is a story that needs to be told.
  • 4. 26 | No’Ala THE BEST AND FASTEST James Jackson earned accolades for importing more thoroughbreds than anyone in the country and for his uncanny ability to select the best and the fastest. His greatest purchase was the legendary Glencoe in 1836. Born in England and brought to America by Jackson, Glencoe was considered a great “filly-getter,” earning the title of leading sire in America eight times. At a stud fee of $100 per mating, Glencoe sired 481 foals from 1837 to 1854. His descendants have won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, the Triple Crown and many other important races. Curtis Flowers, researcher of horse racing in northern Alabama, said of Glencoe, “He’s one of the foundation sires for today’s thoroughbreds. “ Among the other horses Jackson imported were Gallopade, a broodmare, and Leviathan, who was the lead- ing American sire five times. Gallopade had quite a busy breeding career, producing Fandango and Cotillion by Leviathan before breeding exclusively with Glencoe each year until her death. Many of their progeny were in great demand, both on the race track and in the breeding barn. Particularly noteworthy was Glencoe’s daughter Peytona. Bred at the Forks, Peytona won the 1843 Peyton Stakes, earning $62,000, the largest horse racing prize to that date. She also triumphed in the “Great Race between the North and South,” after walking 1,200 miles from Alabama to Long Island, New York. Accord- ing to Florence banker Van Morgan, trading was halted on Wall Street that day, allowing stock traders to attend the race. A Currier and Ives print entitled “Peytona and Fashion” depicted the race. The print can be seen today in Florence’s Pope’s Tavern. Also of special note was Reel, daughter of Glencoe and Galopade. Considered one of the greatest brood- mares in history, Reel produced ten of the era’s fastest racehorses. A thoroughbred racehorse herself, Reel won the prestigious Jockey Club Purse in 1841. JACKSON BUILT THE FORKS OF CYPRESS ANTE-BELLUM MANSION WHERE HE ESTABLISHED A BREEDING FARM OF TRULY EXCEPTIONAL HORSES AND BECAME KNOWN AS THE FATHER OF AMERICAN HORSE RACING. Forks of Cypress
  • 5. September/October 2011 | 27 The most famous—and fastest—of Glencoe’s progeny was the quarter horse Peter McCue, born in 1895. Unusually large at 16 hands and 1430 pounds, Peter McCue’s size did not prevent him from running the fastest quarter mile in his- tory. As a sire, he had great influence on the development of today’s quarter horse and is a member of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. According to author James Hervey in his book Racing in America, Glencoe was “a truly epochal animal such as appears only at rare intervals and with whom only a scatter- ing few others of all time deserve to be ranked.” A plaque placed within view of the Forks of Cypress by the Alabama Tourism Department and Florence/Lauderdale Tourism states in part: “His successful progeny insured such preva- lence of the line that by mid-20th century virtually no thoroughbred in the world could be found who did not descend from Glencoe of the Forks of Cypress.” Glencoe, Gallopede, Leviathan, Peter McCue and a number of their offspring are memorialized in portraits that hang today in the New York Jockey Club. When Glencoe died in 1857 on a Kentucky farm, his death was reported throughout America and Europe. Jackson’s Broader Impact on Alabama History In addition to his success in horse breeding and racing, Jack- son had a lasting impact on northern Alabama. Born in Ireland in 1782, he immigrated to America and lived to the age of 58. Locally, he is renowned as the builder of the Forks of Cypress mansion. Supported by 24 brick columns covered with a mixture of mud, molasses, straw and horse hair, the Forks was the center of life on a plantation consisting of more than 3,000 acres five miles outside of downtown Flo- rence. Along with General John Coffee and Judge John McKinley, Jackson created the Cypress Land Company, which pur- chased the land on which Florence was founded. He also served in both houses of the Alabama Legislature. Along with his plantation, breeding farm and race course, he had successful businesses in Nashville and New Orleans. He was married to Sally Moore (in some accounts she is called Sarah), with whom he raised 11 children at the Forks. On June 6, 1966, the Forks of Cypress was struck by light- ning, igniting the timbers and burning the mansion to the ground. From a long line of cars parked along Jackson Road, many Florence citizens watched the great fire. All that remains today are the brick columns, forming a mysterious spectacle stretching to the sky. In 1997, the site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. DONNY YOUNG: REINING HORSE TRAINER AND RIDER Watching Donny Young riding his champion quarter horse Gunalena Chex is riveting. Horse and rider seem united in a choreographed dance they have practiced a thousand times. With Young lightly touching the reins, Gunny, as he is affec- tionately called, dips his head, bends his torso and spins in a tight circular pattern. At one point, Donny drops the reins entirely. “Show off!” a visitor shouts out. Young responds with a grin. Called quarter horses because they are the fastest breed in the quarter mile, quarter horses make excel- lent “reining” and “cutting” horses. Young originally thought he would train Gunny as a cutter. This dis- cipline suits quarter horses because their bone structure and overall conformation, with appropriate training, make them skilled at herding cattle and performing other ranch duties. We’ve all seen western movies where the rider and horse “cut off” cows that have wandered away and return them to the herd. Those are cutting horses. As a rule, Young begins training his quarter horses when they are 3 years old. There are other owner/trainers who, in order to take advantage of earlier opportunities to show their quarter horses, begin when the horses are 2 years old. Young believes that practice leads to broken bones because a two- year old’s skeletal structure is not yet fully formed. And as he says, “I’m not in it for the money. I’m in it for the fun.” A Fateful Decision In Gunny’s case, the horse underwent a difficult operation to repair a hernia at the age of 3, then spent two years recover- ing, so his training was delayed until he was 5. At that time, Young says, “Something about the horse changed my mind.” He decided not to train him as a cutter, as he had originally planned, but instead as a reining horse. According to Young, “Reining is the epitome of horseman- ship.” In reining, the horse is guided with as little pressure from the rider as possible. The discipline includes sliding to a stop, circling, spinning and rolling back. As it turned out, Young’s decision was fateful. In 2009 at the age of 8, Gunny, a horse that had never been shown, became the first reining horse from Alabama to become a world champion. Donny Young
  • 6. Young had enlisted Rob Huddleston of Pontotoc, Mississippi, to train Gunny. Then a brief two months later, he asked Huddleston to show the horse at the 2009 Dixie Nationals in New Iberia, Louisiana. Young had planned on rid- ing Gunny himself, but he sustained a back injury. With Huddleston in the saddle, Gunny won his class (Novice Horse, Open Level 1 Division). Riding a World Champion Ridden by Huddleston, Gunny went on to win every competition in which he was shown, with the sole exception of day one at a competition in Murfrees- boro, Tennessee. That day, he “kicked out” on Huddleston; but, on day two, he was back in form. He stepped up to the Intermediate Open Division and, to the great surprise of Young, Huddle- ston and the entire reining horse com- munity, continued to collect winnings. With championship rankings based on earnings, Gunny’s total of $14,763 made him the National Racing Horse Association Intermediate Open World Champion. An amazing achievement? Yes. But perhaps less so considering Gunny’s pedigree: His sire was the celebrated Nu Chex To Cash, World Champion and American Quarter Horse Associa- tion (AQHA) High Point Reining and Working Cow Horse. Moreover, Young asserts, Gunny’s ancestry, like that of every other quarter horse today, can be traced to Peter McCue, and from Peter McCue to Glencoe. ED ROBBINS: BLUEWATER CREEK POLO CLUB What do you do if you’re Ed Robbins and you’ve been bitten by the polo bug, but there’s nowhere to play in the Shoals? Buy a piece of property on Bluewater Creek, create both a Polo field and a race track, build stables, and construct a two-story pavilion for par- ties and events. And what do you do if you want to interview Robbins? You match your schedule to his, meet him at Bluewater Creek, and sit on the second floor of the pavilion where ceilings fans create a pleasant breeze on a hot July afternoon. Along with Robbins, there is a small entourage: Teena, his daughter and fel- low polo enthusiast; Sheila, his personal assistant; and two of Bluewa- ter Creek’s grooms and trainers. “I bought the land here in 1980,” Rob- bins recalls. “It had been used to raise corn, and I thought it was flat. But it had 28 | No’Ala WATCHING DONNY YOUNG RIDING HIS CHAMPION QUARTER HORSE GUNALENA CHEX IS RIVETING. HORSE AND RIDER SEEM UNITED IN A CHOREOGRAPHED DANCE THEY HAVE PRACTICED A THOUSAND TIMES. WE’RE FAMOUS FOR A LOT OF THINGS IN THE SHOALSTHE RIVER, MUSIC, ARTS, HISTORYBUT WHO KNEW THAT ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF FLORENCE WAS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IMPORTER OF BRITISH HORSES IN THE 19TH CENTURY AND THAT THE SHOALS WAS THE EPICENTER OF THE HORSE INDUSTRY UNTIL AFTER THE CIVIL WAR? Donny Young on Gunalena Chex
  • 7. September/October 2011 | 29 Total Joints, Breaks and Sports Injuries Shoals Orthopedics has an office near you! • 426 West College Street, Florence • 203 Avalon Avenue, Suite 230, Muscle Shoals • Physical Therapy: 128 W. Tombigbee St., Florence 256-718-4041 www. shoalsorthopedics.com Dr. Lee Nichols, Dr. Rebecca Moul and Dr. Paul Davis We know how to party. And we have everything you need for yours. Party Works 5000 Whitesburg Drive S., Suite 108 Huntsville, AL 35802 256-881-7780 17 fruits and vegetables 1 convenient capsule Good health is not an option - it’s a necessity. It’s also the source of true beauty! I’m a Juice Plus+ Wellness Educator, and I would like to give you information to help you obtain and maintain that beauty. Ask me about Juice Plus+, your good health, and how to sponsor a child for free! Call Lucy Crosby Juice Plus+ Wellness Educator 256-577-8106 www.lcrosbyjuiceplus.com True beauty starts from within.
  • 8. 30 | No’Ala also been used for hog pens, and there were cars buried in the ground. The cars were dug up, but horses would trip in the holes and break their legs.” The ground needed more than a facelift; it needed a complete revamping. A Vision Realized But Robbins is a visionary— both in work and in play. Today, his vision has been realized. The grounds of Bluewa- ter Creek Polo Club are a lovely expanse of manicured grass. Large fields are enclosed by white fencing where horses graze lazily when they are not being trained, ridden, or at play on the polo field. It is clear that Robbins loves horses, has loved them all his life. As a child, he says, “I had a walking horse with a natural gait.” When he was old enough, he progressed to competitive horse jumping and fox hunting while raising and training champion hunting dogs. Then, in 1979, on a visit to Palm Beach, Florida, he first experienced the lure of polo. Now, he has been playing for more than 30 years, and the team is an official member of the Southeast Cir- cuit of the United States Polo Association. Just watching a polo match is thrilling, even for someone who knows little about the game. Two teams of four horses, their hoofs pounding, race up and down the field. The players, wear- ing red and white and wielding mallets, grip the horses with their thighs as they lean sideways to shoot the ball down the field into each other’s goal. The sights and sounds are like a shot of adrenalin in the spectator’s heart. It’s easy to understand when Teena contributes to the conversation: “Polo gets in your blood. All you want to do is play.” And now, she says, “There are three generations of us,” referring to Robbins’ grandson, Judson Carlson, who has joined the team. Bringing Horse Racing Home Now Robbins wants to bring horse rac- ing back to northern Alabama. “We raced horses here in the 90s,” he said. But there are obstacles. For one thing, the club track needs to be refurbished, no small undertaking given the special mix of soil and other ingredients that a race track must have. For another thing, he is looking to buy new horses. At the time of the interview, he was considering a 2- year old in Kentucky and a 4-year old in Florida. He also is considering expand- ing the search to Argentina, and Teena is urging him to make the trip. Robbins agrees with Donny Young’s judgment about the age at which a horse’s training should begin. “Two years is too young,” Robbins says. “Today, they go to extremes, and it hurts the horse. In Argentina, racing two-year olds is not even permitted.” Does Robbins agree with Young’s assertion that the bloodlines of all ROBBINS IS A VISIONARY—BOTH IN WORK AND IN PLAY. TODAY, HIS VISION HAS BEEN REALIZED. THE GROUNDS OF BLUEWATER CREEK POLO CLUB ARE A LOVELY EXPANSE OF MANICURED GRASS. LARGE FIELDS ARE ENCLOSED BY WHITE FENCING WHERE HORSES GRAZE LAZILY WHEN THEY ARE NOT BEING TRAINED, RIDDEN, OR AT PLAY ON THE POLO FIELD. Ed Robbins (far right) playing polo at his Bluewater Creek Polo Club
  • 9. September/October 2011 | 31 If you talk about rehab, assisted living or long term care, sooner or later you’ll talk about Glenwood. We’ve been a premiere provider of healthcare services in the Shoals for 35 years. At Glenwood Healthcare, we are totally focused on your care. Come talk to us about it! Rehab • Assisted Living • Long-Term Care___________________________________ 211 Ana Drive, Florence, AL 35630 256-768-2775 • www.glenwoodhc.com I’m Anne Bernauer and Iwant to be your Realtor® — for life. Call 256-740-0706 or 256-757-9008 Email anne@annewillsell.com Visit www.annewillsell.com Opportunities like this happen once in a lifetime. Mapleton was built in the 1820’s and has been a vital part of this area — you will fall in love with its grace and beauty. Four large bed- rooms, two full and two half baths, a formal living and dining room and a new kitchen are just a few of the reasons to call for your appoint- ment. MAPLETON Own a piece of history! This is not just a home — it’s a landmark. 420 S. Pine Street, Florence - $389,500
  • 10. 32 | No’Ala American champion horses can be traced back to Glencoe. “Let me put it this way,” Robbins says, carefully measuring his words. “Glencoe was influential and had a great impact on breeding. But all horses?” He shakes his head ruefully. Robbins concludes the interview with an open invitation to the Polo Club. “Any- one is welcome to come watch,” he says, “Unless we’re having a special event.” He wants to spread the news that polo in the Shoals is alive, fun and exciting. JAMES GRAHAM AND DAVID ADAMO: QUEST FOR OLYMPIC GOLD As an award-winning equestrian, trainer, coach and “eventing” judge, Jim Graham is unquestionably an expert when it comes to appraising the potential of horses. The first time Graham saw Prince Noah, he immediately knew he was looking at a champion thoroughbred. An imposing stallion, 17.2 hands high, with a glossy coat the color of cappuccino, a black mane and tail, and a growing collection of ribbons and awards, Prince Noah is indeed a majestic horse. As Graham tells it, Prince Noah is also a survivor. When the flooding from Hurri- cane Katrina began in Biloxi, Mississippi, Prince Noah’s former owners opened the stable doors and let all the horses run free. It was, they thought, the horses’ only chance of survival. As it turned out, they were right, although Prince Noah and the other horses were carried away by the flood waters and trapped in a circle of trees for a week before the were rescued. The owners, faced with property devas- tation in the wake of Katrina, put the horses up for sale. WITH GRAHAM AS HIS DEDICATED COACH, ADAMO NOW CONCENTRATES MOST OF HIS TIME AND ENERGY TRAINING PRINCE NOAH AND TWO OTHER UP AND COMING CHAMPION HORSES, RIVER KING AND MARVELES. Top: David Adamo with his trio of championship horses; Above: Jim Graham with Prince Noah
  • 11. September/October 2011 | 33 Every baby is a beautiful person. We know, because so many of them are born at The Women’s Pavilion at ECM Hospital. We’re the Birthplace of the Shoals. www.ecmhospital.com Visit www.timesdaily.com and vote for your favorite beautiful baby in the Oh, Baby! calendar contest 201 Cox Creek Parkway, Florence, at the corner of Florence Blvd. • 256-718-6868 Sushi was introduced to Japan from China in the seventh century, and is the most famous form of Japanese food outside of Japan. Sushi does NOT mean raw fish - that’s called sashimi, and although sashimi can be used in sushi, it is not always. Sushi is healthy, fresh, and a work of art—and we would love to introduce you to it at UMI Japanese Steakhouse. For a unique dining experience, come to UMI Japanese Steakhouse. We make your occasions SPECIAL! Bring this ad and get a Banana Tempura dessert FREE! (Expires July 31, 2011)
  • 12. 34 | No’Ala Along with Graham, seven prospective buyers from Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama saw Prince Noah and recog- nized his potential. Graham immediately contacted fellow eques- trian and friend David Adamo, a California native with impressive cre- dentials of his own. Graham recalls saying, “If you think I know anything about horses, you’ll come.” Trusting Graham’s instincts, Adamo hopped on the first flight he could get. What he saw in Prince Noah, he says, was “raw talent, athleticism and intelli- gence.” Although Noah had never been trained, Adamo says, “He did every- thing I asked the first the time I rode him.” The horse so impressed Adamo that he promptly traveled back to Cali- fornia to seek financial sponsors. In 2008, he returned to Alabama and pur- chased Prince Noah. Since then, he has resided and trained at Meadow Run Farm, Graham’s horse farm located in the bucolic countryside just north of Florence. Olympic Journey With Graham as his dedicated coach, Adamo now concentrates most of his time and energy training Prince Noah and two other up and coming cham- pion horses, River King and Marveles. His ultimate goal, one shared by Gra- ham, is a place on the 2012 Olympic Team in England—a dream that is coming nearer to realization with every event in which he competes. In 2010, Adamo was invited to join an elite group of eastern equestrians at the 2010 World Cup Qualifying competi- tion held in Montana. Out of a field of 500 horses, with 30 to 40 in his class, Adamo and Prince Noah finished third behind multi-Olympic medalist Karen O’Connor. As a result, Adamo was long- listed for the U.S. Equestrian Team—a significant step in the Olympic journey. Adamo and Prince Noah delivered another spectacular performance at the 2010 Fairhill International Olympic Qualifier Event in Maryland. With U.S. Olympic Team scouts watching, Adamo placed in the top 10. This per- formance earned Adamo a nomination to the Olympic Developing Rider’s list—and Adamo took another leap toward the Olympics. Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping If you ever have an opportunity to watch Adamo eventing, be prepared for a breathtaking experience. Eventing is a series of three challenging tests of horse and rider aptitude—Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping. The rules of eventing are defined by the United States Eventing Association (USEA), the national organization governing the sport. In Dressage, the horse and rider progress through a series of challeng- ing movements that the horse must perform with grace and precision. The objective is to prove the horse’s skill, balance, rhythm and obedience while demonstrating harmony between the horse and rider. Adamo and Prince Noah consistently execute the Dressage phase faultlessly. From the spectator’s perspective, the Cross Country phase appears harrow- ing. It is a timed event on a long circuit with many obstacles. Proceeding at an optimal speed, the horse and rider encounter fences (between 12 and 40, depending on the level of competition), stone walls, water features, ditches, and steeply graded drops and banks. To complete the circuit successfully, the horse and rider must be in prime phys- ical condition and have absolute trust in each other—attributes that are clearly evident in Adamo and Prince Noah. The third phase, Show Jumping, is also timed, with a penalty for every second over the required time. The event tests the horse and rider’s jumping skills as they vault over a series of between 12 and 20 fences set up in a circular pattern. Typically, the fences are brightly colored with parts that can be kicked or knocked down by the horse. Show Jumping particularly tests the horse’s athleticism and stamina as it follows the physically demanding Cross Country phase. In a recent event, Adamo and Prince Noah performed with only a single fault—a kicked fence rail. Financing the Quest The cost of maintaining, training and competing with Olympic-level horses is enormous. Travel expenses alone are immense; and with upcoming trips to England and Australia for World Cup and Olympic qualifying events, expenses are multiplying rapidly. Who pays for all this? Unlike other countries, the U.S. provides no finan- cial assistance to Olympic candidates. Neither Graham nor Adamo is wealthy, so fundraising is a constant struggle. They seek sponsorships, serve as certi- fied trainers at clinics across the country, and run a time-intensive training program at Meadow Run Farm. “Everything we do is to raise money so we can keep competing,” says Graham. “We don’t do it for money. The journey is fun. It’s a way of life.” Both Graham and Adamo love to coach beginners, taking them from “green” riders with no experience and molding them into championship level competitors. With their impressive cre- dentials, they are in high demand as instructors. Graham was a member of the 1994 World Equestrian Games, narrowly missing gold when his horse, Rosie, was withdrawn from the compe- tition due to a pulled muscle. He represented the U.S. in numerous international competitions and, until he was compelled to resign because of his association with Adamo, was a U.S. Equestrian Team Selector. As a Level 4 instructor certified by the USEA, he instructs riders through the Advanced level. Adamo has been riding since he was 6 and eventing since he was 16. He is a for-
  • 13. 2508 East Avalon Avenue Muscle Shoals · 256-381-6889 www.jamiehoodonline.com VISIT US AT OUR NEW SHOWROOM If you are buying or selling real estate, we should talk. At Alabama Land Services, our professionals can help you with title searches, title insurance and real estate closings from the convenience of our downtown Florence location. Our tech- nology is state-of-the-art, but our dedication to service is 124 years old. We make it easy for you! Chris Bobo, owner 110 South Pine Street Florence AL 35630 256-764-2141 www.alabamalandservices.com Proper(ty) Authority September/October 2011 | 35
  • 14. 36 | No’Ala mer U.S. Eventing Association Chairman for Area VI (California) and a U.S. Pony Club traveling instructor. He has trained with an impressive list of former U.S. Equestrian Team members—all leading up to his determination to participate on the international level and, ultimately, compete in the 2012 Olympics. He is a Level 3 instructor certified by the USEA, permitting him to train Novice through Intermediate riders. Olympic Gold In Sight For Graham and Adamo, the past four years of training and competing have been chal- lenging, exhausting at times, yet richly gratifying. And the true reward for their persistence and hard work—Adamo’s competing for Olympic Gold—is nearly in sight, not far beyond the rolling hills of Meadow Run Farm. N A CONVERSATION WITH RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN Richard Chamberlain is a senior writer for the American Quarter Horse Journal. A brief conversation yields a few enlighten- ing facts to someone who is a novice in the world of horses. Thoroughbred and quarter horses come from the same bloodlines. Quarter horses were developed in the 1600s using thoroughbreds mated with mares belonging to Native American Chicka- saws. Quarter horses have the fastest time in the quarter mile. They are tough, hardy and agile. Thoroughbreds are distance runners, akin to humans who run in marathons. The difference between cutting horses and reining horses is the training and handling. To complete its tasks on the ranch, a cutting horse need no guidance. It knows what it needs to do; the rider has to simply let the horse run. Reining horses need guidance to per- form; however, the less guidance, the better the horse. Chamberlain is particularly informative regarding polo horses: Polo horses are called ponies although they are full size. They are carefully selected for quick bursts of speed, agility and maneuverability. Temperament is critical; the pony must remain respon- sive under pressure and not become excited or difficult to control. Polo ponies are trained to be handled with one hand on the reins and to be responsive to the rider’s leg and weight cues for moving forward, turning and stopping. Polo ponies are very athletic and have great stamina to perform well through- out the 7-minute chucker. (A Polo match chucker is the equivalent of a quarter in a football game.) Chamberlain’s take on the controversy over whether the lineage of all quarter horses today can be traced back to Glen- coe: “Doubtful.” In addition to the awards noted in this article, we identified the following championship level horses and their owners from the Shoals. As this list illustrates, there are many unsung champion horses in the Shoals! If you know of anyone we missed, we would be glad to hear from you. Easter Parade, Jim Graham United States Equestrian Team–World Equestrian Game Representative–Multiple Jumping & Cross Country Championships Mighty Mite, Debi Crowley Radnor International Hunt–CCI Championship Negras Bar Girl, Lazy M Barrel Horses United Barrel Horse Association–Youth–4-D Championship Skip A True Nick, Lazy M Barrel Horses United Barrel Horse Association–Open–4-D Championship For The Love Of The Game, Jennifer Jubb American Quarter Horse Youth Association–Halter–World Championship Ready For The Weekend, Jennifer Jubb American Quarter Horse Youth Association–Halter–World Championship Heza Stemwinder, Laura Young Moseley American Quarter Horse Association–Halter–World Championship DS Roman Kid Clue, David Stone American Quarter Horse Association–Halter–Open World Championship Star Ardical, Jimmy & Sharon Black American Quarter Horse Association–Halter Palomino–World Championship Gunalena Chex, Donny & Mary Young National Reining Horse Association–Intermediate Open–World Championship Instance, Randy & Nicole Aldridge National Cutting Horse Association–Multiple Cutting Horse Championships Smart Lil Badger, Randy & Nicole Aldridge National Cutting Horse Association–Multiple Cutting Horse Championships Justanotherwhiteboy, Randy & Nicole Aldridge National Cutting Horse Association–Futurity Finalist–Multiple Cutting Horse Championships Fire Marshall Bill, Todd & Beth Weatherford Arabian English Pleasure–2 Time Reserve–National U.S. Championship & Junior English National Championship Rohavamericanelegance, Todd & Beth Weatherford Arabian–Reserve Halter–National Championship Magnoms Fire At Will, Todd & Beth Weatherford Arabian Hunter–Sidesaddle–Multiple Regional Championships Watch It Now, Jack Littrell Walking Horse–World Grand Championship Call Me Ted, Jack Littrell Walking Horse–World Championship