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World Grand Champion in 1939 |
First
Grand Champion Walking Horse of the World, Strolling Jim and his
illustrious career made famous the names of the Tennessee Walking
Horse and the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration
throughout the country. The most rapid growth of the
breed took place during the years when Jim was in his prime.
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Strolling Jim was foaled in 1936 and was bred by Ed Gilliam near
Viola, Tennessee. He was a chestnut gelding with a
near hind sock, a star and a snip. He was a
three-year-old when he won Grand Championship honors at the first
Celebration in 1939. His dam, Allen's Strolling
Jennie, was by Mabrey Allen, and he, by Roan Allen F-38.
Jim's sire was old Wilson's Allen, also by Roan Allen F-38, making
him a double grandson of old Roan Allen. |
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As a
colt, Strolling Jim was much the same as any other young horse of
his time. He was broken at an early age to a wagon and
was taught to help with the general farm chores of the day.
Later sold to Charlie Ramsey of Viola, Strolling Jim was worked
daily to a plow, and several other farm implements, and was often
ridden by Mr. Ramsey over the farm, for it was soon noticed that
Strolling Jim walked with lots of speed and comfort to his rider.
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During this time, Henry Davis, a pioneer breeder and dealer in
walking horses, and Floyd Carothers, top trainer of his day, had a
training barn in Wartrace, and these gentlemen had heard what an
outstanding green-broke colt Mr. Ramsey had there on his farm.
Floyd and Mr. Henry journeyed to Viola to see Strolling Jim and
bought him immediately after seeing him work. This was
on April 30, 1939.
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Floyd
Carothers started working this young prospect daily under saddle
and, before too long, crowds were flocking to the barn to see if
Strolling Jim really was the coming young champion that was being
predicted by other visitors.
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Strolling Jim was sold afterwards to Col. C. H. Bacon, Loudon,
Tennessee but was left with Floyd to further his training and to
be exhibited at the coming shows. Before the first
Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in 1939, Strolling
Jim had been shown over the South to win twelve straight walking
horse sweepstake classes.
Jim was sold next to
L. B. Manning, Rancho Piocha, Santa Barbara, California in 1940 at
a price almost unheard of in that day. In 1940 he won
twelve straight big stakes and, that year, was also crowned Grand
Champion at the Tennessee State Fair Show in Nashville.
(Photo submitted
by
Judy Crunk of Green Valley Farms) |
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Strolling Jim was in great demand by show committee members and
horse show managers, and he was exhibited at many of the local shows
to halter. His last show in competition under saddle was
at the 1948 Celebration when, as a twelve-year-old and out of
training for over a year, he tied fourth in an outstanding class for
lady riders.
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Strolling Jim was welcomed by a host of his fans when he returned to
Wartrace, Tennessee in 1947. He retired to his stable
there behind the famous Walking Horse Hotel.
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Strolling Jim, the
first winner of the famed Celebration returned to Middle Tennessee
on July 22 to participate in festivities at the Wartrace,
Tennessee Horse Show. He was flown from Pennsylvania, his present
home, to Nashville, Tennessee in a C-47. |
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Shown at left as he
was about to be transferred from the plane to a van at Berry
Field, Nashville, he is pictured with Mrs. Eleanor Graham (left)
of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, his present owner, and Mrs. Floyd
Carothers of Wartrace, Tennessee, wife of the late Floyd
Carothers, first trainer of Strolling Jim. |
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Today
Strolling Jim rests beneath the bluegrass sod just behind the
historic old hotel in Wartrace, Tennessee that he helped make
famous. The courageous old champion, twenty-one years of
age that year, died on April 23, 1957 and his passing marks the end
of one of horsedom's most fabulous eras.
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Strolling
Jim, the famous gelding which made Walking Horse history when he
was crowned World's Champion at the first Tennessee Walking Horse
National Celebration at Shelbyville, Tennessee in 1939, has come
back to Wartrace, Tennessee to spend his remaining days at his old
home. As a matter of fact, "Jim" is now living
in the same stables from which he went to capture the coveted
title in 1939. The late Floyd Carothers of Wartrace,
renowned breeder and trainer of fine Tennessee Walking Horses,
trained and showed Strolling Jim. Strolling Jim is now
the property of Mrs. Olive Carothers, widow of the late Floyd
Carothers. |
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Mrs.
Carothers was presented the famous gelding by Mrs. Eleanor Graham
of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and Florida. Mrs. Graham had owned and
successfully shown Jim on the Eastern and Florida Horse Show
circuits. She gave the horse to Mrs. Carothers earlier this
spring, with the understanding that the gelding was not to be
shown competitively any more. Since receiving the horse however,
Mrs. Carothers had no end of enjoyment exhibiting "Jim" in a few
Middle Tennessee shows.. just as a special attraction and not for
competition. Pictured here is Mrs. Carothers with
Strolling Jim, the day the gelding was given a grand "homecoming"
welcome at Wartrace. |
Several
score of Middle Tennessee horsemen were on hand to see Strolling
Jim and to congratulate Mrs. Carothers on receiving the handsome
gift. During the brief welcoming ceremony which was under the
direction of Gilbert M. Orr of Columbia, numerous gifts were
bestowed on Strolling Jim and Mrs. Carothers by some of their many
friends. Gifts included a saddle, bridle, blanket, and even some
feed for the horse, and an attractive riding habit for Mrs.
Carothers.
'Most any day now, you can find "Miss Olive" riding Strolling Jim
somewhere along the beautiful bridle paths around Wartrace. And
you can bet she is enjoying every minute riding and owning one of
the most famous of all Tennessee Walking Horses!.
THE
TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE, July 1947 |
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this pedigree, click
HERE
to load a black and white copy. |
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If you have a story or
photos of Strolling Jim that you would like added to this page,
please forward them to Walkers
West. |
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1940-41 ==> |
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