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Tennessee
Walking Horse OnLine Congratulates
Adult
Supreme Champion
Kathy Beecroft,
Washington
Delight's Red Ida
By Kathy Beecroft
Take a "died in the wool" Quarter Horse person, add a very talented,
versatile and pretty Tennessee Walking Horse mare, constantly mix with
lots of hard work, stir with knowledge and supportive Walking Horse
friends, and add a pinch of luck. Depending on how you season it, you just
may have the recipe for a Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and
Exhibitors' Association National Supreme Champion team. At least it seemed
to work for me and Delight's Ida Red!
I first saw and fell in love with Ida as she was being shown in 1982 by
her previous owner, Hattie Arata, who owns Oakview Stables in Chehalis,
Washington. Hattie and trainer/ manager Armand Mooney, who have been
responsible for many of the wonderful Walking Horses on the West Coast,
had purchased the Sun's Delight D. filly as a yearling from Loyd Coffey in
Petersburg, Tennessee. After bringing her out to Washington State, they
gave her the best of care and training, and she made her show ring debut
as a three-year-old in the Two-Gait Class of the Plantation Division,
winning blues right from the start.
My love for horses had started successfully competing on the West Coast
circuit as a teenager in the early 1970's under the direction of Quarter
Horse trainer, Richard Shrake. When I hit the ripe old age of 19 and the
responsibilities of "adulthood," I no longer could afford horses. After
selling my horses and equipment, I didn't ride for five years. This was
pure agony to a horse crazy person like me. Then to my total surprise and
delight, my husband, Bill with the guidance of his very good friend Arnie
Arnold, gave me a two-year-old Walking Horse colt for Christmas. On my
first ride, I was immediately aware of two things - this Walking Horse
breed really was special and I had better learn what this flat walk/
running walk business was all about!
It may seem simple to those raised around Walkers, but to a walk-jog-lope
person, trying to learn the difference between walk, pace, rack, etc.,
etc., can be frustrating. Luckily, I, too, became good friends with Arnie
and he enabled me to ride and show Open, Park and Plantation horses during
the next few years. I enjoyed and respected all divisions, but felt that
Plantation fit me the best, offering the variety of showing western,
English, driving, and so forth, and giving me the option of showing one
week and going on a trail ride the next. Arnie not only taught me many
things about Walkers, but is also responsible for many others becoming
involved with the breed.
After first seeing Ida, I just couldn't get her out of my mind. Although I
wasn't in the market for another a horse, sometimes you just have to
follow your heart. I purchased Ida in 1983 from Hattie and she has proven
to be the best investment I ever made. We made our debut at the Northwest
Tennessee Walking Horse Jubilee in Gig Harbor, Washington, receiving the
High Point Two-Gait Plantation Horse Award of the show. The Jubilee has
continued to be special as we obtained our final point necessary for the
Supreme Championship there two years later, in July, 1985, in addition to
receiving the High Point Three-Gait Plantation Horse and Hugh Bradford
Memorial Versatility Awards.
In the past two years, I have grown extremely fond of Ida. She is the best
cure I know for a bad day at the office and a wonderful ambassador for our
breed as she is shown lite-shod and is very consistent in the ring. We
show at both Tennessee Walking Horse and all breed shows and find
competing with other breeds the best way to educate people about the
Walking Horse The "un-informed" are the only thing holding us back from
becoming the most popular breed in the nation!
Although Ida was well broke when I purchased her, it still took time and
hard work to become a competitive team. I didn't want to just "get
points," but actually excel in each required event. This is proven by the
fact that in two years, Ida has won over 60 championships and blues in
every event including Western Plantation, English Plantation, Lite Shod,
Trail, E-Z Rider, Model, Driving, and Water Glass. This wasn't easy as
competition in the Pacific Northwest is "tough" to say the least. Not only
does our area boast the 1984 and 1985 Plantation Pleasure World Grand
Champion, Wonder Ladys Delight, but also fellow TWHBEA National Supreme
Champions, Jack's Superstar, Senator's Trywanna, Sun Edens Super Sonic,
and Delight's Harbor Lite, as well as Youth Superior Champion, Silky Merry
Boy. And these are just the tip of the iceberg of the exceptional
Tennessee Walkers in our area.
Ida and I obtained all of our points together, however many of our friends
and fellow exhibitors were invaluable to us. Special thanks not only to
Arnie Arnold, Hattie Arata and Armand Mooney, but also to Dennis and Eddie
Lou Izzi for the hours of help they gave, no matter what the weather, in
giving me a better understanding of showing Ida to her full potential.
Also to Chris Stainbrook, P. W. Glover, Linda Arnold, JoAnne Mayberry,
veterinarian David Kirby, and supershoer Skip Bickford for help and
support above and beyond the call of duty!
Since I work full time as a Court Commissioner/Administrator, showing has
also proven to be a fairly demanding hobby involving my family. My
parents, Ed and Vivian Westerdahl have always given their total support
and encouragement and my father, who owns Westerdahl Leather Specialties
in Milwaukee, Oregon, has made almost all of my tack, chaps and equipment.
My five-year-old son, Justin, not only goes to all the shows, but has
spent many hours on the horses with me as this is the easiest way to watch
him and train horses at the same time! This further proves the Walking
Horse has a wonderful disposition since Justin has been riding with me
since he was six months old! My husband Bill not only got me involved with
the Walkers, but also is my head groom, ground person, trailer hauler,
tack repairer, critic, support person and very best friend. Both Bill and
Justin have gotten used to very late dinners and an often preoccupied wife
and mother!
In spite of the hard work and long hours, we all agree that it has been
worth it and we will continue to show and support the Tennessee Walking
Horse breed. Horse showing here is truly a family event and all of the
Walking Horse exhibitors, owners, and trainers are our "family." It
doesn't matter if you're Plantation, Park, or Show, we all help and cheer
each other on, and most importantly, we have fun!
Becoming a Supreme Champion takes not only a special horse, but good
competition, well educated judges, and encouraging and supportive friends
and family. If nothing else, hopefully Ida and I have and will continue to
give people, better understanding and appreciation of our wonderful breed.
Oh, what about the "died in the wool" Quarter Horse person? Well, Quarter
Horses are really nice but let me tell you about this Tennessee Walking
Horse
(Reprinted from Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse
magazine, August, 1986)
Adult Supreme Champions
Youth Superior Champions
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