©Voice, July 2006

TWHBEA^SM members and avid trail riders as well as show ring exhibitors and enthusiasts gathered around with the Best Of America By Horseback TV crew, pictured left to right, Doug Sloan, Best of American By Horseback, Vic Gernt, Pat Seay,Best of American By Horseback, Carolyn Gernt, Kristi Lane, TWHBEA^SM Marketing Director, Tom Seay, Best of American By Horseback, Linda Starnes, Tony Kennedy, Larry Starnes, Sandy Kennedy.

Look out TV here come the Tennessee Walking Horses! Our smooth riding breed will be seen soon on RFD TV, more than likely our segment to air in August. RFD TV is available on Direct and Dish TV but not presentably on cable.Yours truly, along with TWHBEA^SM Executive Director Charles Hulsey and Voice™ Editor, Stan Butt were part of the group that rode walking horses during the filming for RFD features Best of America by Horseback which is hosted by Tom Seay and Doug Sloan with Pat Seay working behind the scene to film, slice and edit!

Deep in the heart of Louisiana at Melder, Louisiana the Best of America By Horseback film crew of Pat and Tom Seay and Doug Sloan gathered at the rustic camp (outfitted with all the necessary amenities us females demand) called the 4 B Ranch. Jerry Thames was our genial host. Great Cajun cooking occurred over the next few days that was the best I have ever tasted. Jambalaya, Cajun shrimp, gumbo, with a great grilled brisket were just a few of the dishes prepared in our honor. Carol and Ruth Benoit did the bulk of the cooking with Dallas Fontenot and Wayne Webber doing the honors at night. Faye Webber served us a to die for banana/strawberry pudding! And you thought we were really roughing it!

A part of the Louisiana riders taking a break

Mr. L. D. Spears, TWHBEA^SM National Director, of Dry Creek, Louisiana brought horses for us to ride on the beautiful scenic trails of the Kisatchie National Forest. The horses were sure footed and smooth gaited with bomb proof, literally, dispositions. As we rode along the trails close to the air force base bombs were dropped at regular intervals! This was a first for me! I have never been bombed (at least from an airplane) on a trail ride but honey they came close this trip! Rocker, named for his easy rocking gait, and owned by Derek Fruge is a pretty gelding by Generator‚s Sundrop that took very good care of me. Thanks, Derek for allowing L.D. to borrow Rocker for me. Mr. Hulsey was aboard a beautiful sorrel gelding named Rerun furnished by Glenn Weeks of Texas and Stan Butt rode a typey black mare, Princess that belonged to Jerry Thames. Ronnie Manning assisted L.D. Spears in his transportation and care of the six nice horses we rode over Kisatchie trails. Neil and Kathy McLean also joined us on the 4B Ranch ride. Kathy is Vice President of the Houston Walking and Racking Horse Association. Greg Burke of Shreveport, Louisiana, a regular at 4 B Ranch kept things hopping and was excited about signing up for the Distance Program. Southern hospitality, complete with music provided by Greg Webber and dancing, following the great evening meals made the trip most enjoyable. We were told we were served a 7 course Cajun meal aka ---boundin and a 6 pack---lagniappe!!!!!

I was on the trail again the next week with the Best of America By Horseback crew of Pat, Tom and Doug to film a different segment for viewing on RFD TV in the beautiful East Fork, Tennessee Park. This time TWHBEA^SM Marketing Director, Kristi Lane accompanied me on the trails. We were joined by Carolyn and Vic Gernt, Tony and Sandy Kennedy and Linda and Larry Starnes. East Fork is just as beautiful as Kisatchie but the scenery and trails are of a different type. Sandy and Tony brought a big, handsome Black Rain gelding for Kristie to ride and I rode Wise Impact that is owned by the Gernt family. Impact was a fantastic ride for which I am most grateful as we rode a while, seeking just the right location for that scenic shot. Over and over the troops rode over hill and dale. Doug Sloan took a short night ride aboard Impact and said “Now I see what you folks are talking about when you say glide ride”. It was a wonderful experience and a chance to spend the day with friends aboard really nice Tennessee Walking Horses while enjoying the beautiful countryside. Tough job but hey, Someone has to do it!

I want to take this opportunity to thank L.D. Spears and Ronny Manning for bringing great horses to the 4 B Ranch in Melder, Louisiana for us to enjoy and to Jerry Thames and all the nice folks we met while in Louisiana.
To the crew at East Fork, the Gernts, the Kennedys and the Starnes we thank you for your hard work, hospitality and for your continued support thru the years and of course for supplying nice walkers in the Tennessee filming. My heartfelt thanks to all for making this filming a great joy and a video that should do our breed proud.

- Sis Osborne