Ebony’s Bold Courier: A Journey to Glory in the Walking Horse World

**Ebony’s Bold Courier: A Journey to Glory in the Walking Horse World**

The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is a stage where legends are born, and in 1983, it was the grand chestnut stallion Ebony’s Bold Courier who captured hearts and claimed the ultimate title of World Grand Champion. His journey to the pinnacle of success was one of determination, resilience, and unwavering belief—a story that continues to inspire horse enthusiasts to this day.

### A Promising Start

Born on June 9, 1975, Ebony’s Bold Courier was destined for greatness from the moment he took his first steps on the pastures of Ronnie Spears’ Stables near Tullahoma, Tennessee. The colt was the offspring of the celebrated sire Ebony Masterpiece, the 1962 World Grand Champion, and Ann’s Merry Gal, a mare purchased by Spears just months before his birth. With his striking chestnut coat and a star marking inherited from his sire, the young colt stood out as a promising prospect.

Initially named Bedford County, the colt’s potential was evident early on. “He was an outstanding colt, a good moving colt,” Spears later recalled. In May 1976, he was sold as a yearling to Dr. and Mrs. Roger Bates of Waycross, Georgia. Renamed Ebony’s Bold Courier, he began his path toward becoming a champion. The Bates family believed in him wholeheartedly. “We never lost sight of the fact that he had all the credentials of a World Grand Champion,” Frances Bates said.

### Trials and Triumphs

The road to the World Grand Championship was not without its trials. Under the guidance of Carl Edwards & Sons Stables in Dawson, Georgia, Bold Courier began to make his mark in the show ring. In 1979, he claimed the Four-Year-Old World Grand Championship at the Celebration, signaling his potential as a future star.

However, the years that followed brought mixed results. In 1980, he placed third in his first appearance in the Celebration Big Stake, followed by a sixth-place finish in 1981. These setbacks tested the resolve of his team but did not diminish their belief in him.

A turning point came at the end of the 1981 season when Bold Courier was moved to Ronal Young Stables in Lewisburg, Tennessee. Yet another shift occurred just days before the 1982 Celebration when he was transferred to Joe and Preach Fleming’s J & P Stables due to scheduling conflicts. Despite limited preparation time, Joe Fleming presented Bold Courier at the Celebration, where they tied for ninth place—a respectable finish under the circumstances.

### The Rise of a Champion

The year following the 1982 Celebration marked a transformation for Ebony’s Bold Courier. The first glimpse of this “new” Bold Courier came at the Montgomery post-Celebration show in October 1982, where he and Fleming were named Reserve Grand Champions. The duo continued to build momentum in 1983, earning another Reserve Grand Championship title at the Trainers’ Show in Atlanta.

By spring, they were a team to watch. At the 1983 Spring Celebration Fun Show, Fleming and Bold Courier delivered a flawless performance despite rainy conditions, securing a blue ribbon and winning over the crowd. Their success continued with a record-breaking $15,000 victory at the Herman A. Hayes Memorial Horse Show in Vienna, Missouri—the highest prize money ever awarded in a Walking Horse class at the time.

A minor setback at the Belfast Horse Show in Tennessee, where they placed third against stiff competition, only seemed to fuel their determination. At the Over 15.2 Stallions preliminary during Celebration ’83, they emerged as World Champions of Division A, setting the stage for their ultimate triumph.

### The Crowning Moment

The final night of Celebration ’83 was electric as Joe Fleming and Ebony’s Bold Courier entered the ring for the Grand Championship Stake. The roar of the crowd followed them throughout their performance, signaling their status as clear favorites. Their flawless presentation captivated both spectators and judges alike. With unanimous first-place votes from all three judges, Bold Courier claimed victory and the coveted title of World Grand Champion.

As Fleming guided him around for his victory pass at the 44th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennessee, it was clear that this was a moment of triumph not just for horse and rider but for everyone who had believed in them along the way.

### A Legacy Beyond the Show Ring

After placing third, sixth, ninth, and finally first in four consecutive years at the Celebration Big Stake, Ebony’s Bold Courier retired from competition as a true champion. His story is one of perseverance and passion—a testament to what can be achieved with dedication and teamwork.

What lay ahead for this remarkable stallion? A promising career at stud awaited him. With his exceptional lineage and proven track record in the show ring, Ebony’s Bold Courier was poised to pass on his legacy to future generations of Tennessee Walking Horses.

In every sense, Ebony’s Bold Courier embodied the spirit of a champion—a horse whose journey from a hopeful colt to World Grand Champion continues to inspire admiration and respect in the Walking Horse community.