Delight Bumin Around was sired
by the famed stallion, Sun’s Delight D., the 1963 World Grand Champion.
His dam was Impala’s Shadowette.
“Bum” was the first horse of this bloodline to win the W. G. Ch.
He was foaled in 1968 and bred by and raised by J. Mac Carter of
Murfreesboro, TN.
As a colt, Bum attracted
the acclaim of many top horsemen, who said he had the makings of a
champion. In 1969, he was purchased by Mary and John C. Miller of
Anchorage, Alaska, who were relatively new to the horse business at that
time. Bum took his training
well, and he began his show ring career under the expert guidance of
trainer, Billy Gray. The
horse was shown sparingly as a two-year-old.
He defeated all comers, and ended the season by winning the Two
Year Old Southern Championship in Montgomery, Alabama.
This was his first step toward other championships here.
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By 1971, Bum had gained
recognition throughout the Walking horse world, attracting
attention everywhere with his size, natural ability and
intelligence. His
owners, the Millers were constantly turning down offers from
interested horsemen who were looking for a potential champion.
He was shown only a few times that year, but did return to the
Southern Championship in Montgomery.
He made the best show of his third year, and won the
Southern title again. Fans applauded the true greatness of this young horse. |
In 1972, Billy Gray and
Delight Bumin Around made their first try for the roses, but had to
settle for Reserve Grand Champion that year.
It was Bum’s only defeat in his four years as a show horse.
As a four-year-old, Bum had reached a level of ability equal to that of
many aged horses.
Throughout the 1972 season, he was shown in Junior events and Stakes
class competition, as he prepared for his return to the Celebration
ring. He made his third
trip to Montgomery, capturing the Championship Stakes to become the 1972
Southern Champion.
After one successful appearance in early 1973, he was injured slightly
and his training was halted for a time, but by August, he was ready to
carry Billy Gray into the Celebration ring once more. They made a
brilliant performance in the Grand Championship Stakes Class, and
Delight Bumin Around was declared the 1973 World Grand Champion. After
the Celebration, the Millers decided that their champion would not be
placed in ring competition again. With appropriate ceremonies, this
great stallion was retired at the Southern Championship Show in
Montgomery, Alabama, and put at stud with S. W. Beech and Sons Stable
near Belfast, Tn.
Delight Bumin Around went into the record books as one of the all time
great walking horse performers. He was shown a total of twenty nine
times during his four year career and was the class winner every time
except one.
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Delight Bumin Around that you would like added to this page, please
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