Ebony
Masterpiece was sired by Skipper’s Son of Midnight, out of Lady Lee, a
daughter of old Merry Boy. He was bred by and foaled at Solitude Stock
Farm in Goodlettsville, TN. Bud Seaton who was the manager and trainer
at Solitude Stock Farm first started working Masterpiece in the late
winter of 1957-1958. The black stallion was sold that spring to Clay
Simpson of Bowling Green, KY, but remained at Solitude for training and
showing by Bud Seaton. He was shown only two or three times prior to
Celebration Time.
In 1957, Ebony Masterpiece was tied third in the class for Stallions and
Geldings, Two-Year-Olds. He was tied first in the Two-Year-Old
Championship Stake later that week. Troubled by a quarter-crack and a
bowed tendon, Masterpiece was turned out to pasture, following this win,
and it was not until late in the fall of his fourth year, that he was
saddled again and started into training once more.
Bud Seaton took the job as manager and trainer at Okley Hays Stables in
Herrin, IL in 1960, and Masterpiece went with him. Bud continued to show
Masterpiece in the early spring of 1961 in the circuit around Herrin,
across into Missouri and down into Central Kentucky and Middle
Tennessee. His vacation in the pasture had strengthened the horse’s
legs, and he no longer had difficulty with hoof trouble. His wins at
these shows made it apparent that Masterpiece was again a contender for
the roses. Seaton said that Masterpiece made one of the best shows ever
at Murfreesboro in July of 1961. It was at that event that Billy Hale
became interested in the great champion. Sam Paschal, acting as agent
for the Hales, bought Ebony and brought him to Paschal Stables in
Murfreesboro, TN.
Ebony Masterpiece was not shown at the 1961 Celebration, but that fall
following the Celebration, Sam Paschal showed him and he was a
consistent winner then and through the spring and summer of 1962.
Masterpiece was the fourth grandson of Midnight Sun to be declared as a
World Grand Champion. He was also the second World Grand Champion
to be trained and exhibited by Sam Paschal in the Celebration ring, and
both Ebony and Paschal had a tremendous following in the crowd of
spectators that year. He was one of the most popular Grand
Champions ever crowned at the Celebration, and his win that year was
widely acclaimed by lovers of the Tennessee Walking horse everywhere.
Ebony Masterpiece was retired to stud following his 1962 win and went on
to sire many many champion foals. Ebony’s Senator, 1969 World Grand
Champion was from his first crop of foals, but his list of winners is
still being added to today, with the 1998 W. G. Ch. Masquerading to be
the latest to carry the illustrious name of Ebony Masterpiece on his
pedigree.
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Ebony Masterpiece,
with 11 year old rider, Karen Lynne Crunk.
Photo contributed by Judy Crunk of
Green Valley Farm. |
Ebony Masterpiece's headstone at the S. W. Beech Stables |
If you
have a story or photos of Ebony Masterpiece that you would like
added to this page, please forward them to
Walkers West.
<==1961
1963==>
