Father-Son Dream Fulfilled

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By Sarah Gee
© Voice, May 2007

The bond between a father and son is unique. The father strives to pass on his knowledge and interests
to the son while the son strives to learn all he can from the father. Raymond Stephens passed on his deep and abiding love for the Tennessee Walking Horse to his
son Donald.

Raymond was a regular on the walking horse scene for more than four decades. He always had a horse in training, first with Preach and then with Joe Fleming as well as with Buddy Hugh. Raymond loved to go to shows, whether one of his horses was showing or not. A knowledgeable breeder that spent countless hours researching the bloodlines of our great breed, he was frequently in the winner’s circle with his halter colts. Under saddle, one of his most successful homebred and raised horses was Bum’s Dark Warrior, who still holds a special place in the hearts of Donald and the Flemings. However, Raymond never had that great show horse capable of competing at the Celebration. That great horse was simply an unfulfilled lifelong dream.

Donald as a boy on one of his dad’s draft horses.

Donald grew up knowing of his father’s dream. As he built his business and his family, that dream continued to occupy a special spot in the back of his mind. Eventually, and with the full support of his wife Gladys, he reached a point both personally and professionally where he was able to devote himself to fulfilling the dream that had been successfully passed from father to son.

The horse that would ultimately make the dream a reality was Push Me Bold. By Bold Design and out of Pusher’s Ebony Lady, Push Me Bold began his career under saddle with Todd Smith in Kentucky. As Preach and Joe Fleming set out to find that perfect horse for Donald, they came upon the talented colt. In an article published in the August 23rd, 2002 edition of the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, Joe relates, “I first saw him at the Trainers’ Show when he was three years old. He didn’t get a ribbon, but I liked him. I just liked the way he moved. He had a lot of show presence about him.” The Flemings followed up on him and Donald purchased him from David Hendricks.

Two days later he sold him to Dr. Robert Canon and two years after that, realizing he may have let THE horse get away, he bought him back. Since that time, Push Me Bold has done nothing but make dreams come true.
Between 2002 and 2005, Push Me Bold amassed 16 first place ties at all the major showcases in our industry including the 2002 Retired Trainers Over 55 World Championship with Preach Fleming. He is also the 2002 Elite Reserve World Grand Champion and the 2003 Elite Gentlemen Reserve World Champion, both with Donald up. Raymond truly would have been proud.

Only 11 years old, Push Me Bold has already proven himself to be a world champion producing stallion. In 2006 his son, Obsession, claimed the Three-Year-Old Gelding World Championship. Another son, Boldacious, strolled to the 2006 SSHBEA Amateur Owned & Trained Two-Year-Old Open Shod World Championship. Other up and coming show ring favorites sired by Push Me Bold include Mission Possible, Not Gold But Bold, and Miss Push Me Bold.

While standing at stud at Running Springs Farm in Shelbyville, Tennessee, Push Me Bold has recently discovered a new talent as a trail and parade horse with manager Tony Edwards. A true tribute to the athleticism, beauty, and willingness of the Tennessee Walking Horse, Push Me Bold is that once in a lifetime, make your dreams come true horse.