Courtesy of The News Courier

It has been decades since a walking horse show has been in Athens, but on June 22, the Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives, with the assistance of Ken Wilson of the Southeastern Saddle Club, will have the inaugural Col. Sam Gibbons Memorial Horse Show at the Sheriff’s Arena on Alabama 99 to benefit the museum.

“Mr. Sam,” as Gibbons was known, loved Tennessee walking horses. He was the ringmaster for the World Champion Tennessee Walking Horse Show in Shelbyville for 37 years.

Gibbons bred, raised and showed world champion colts. There is a street named for Gibbons in Shelbyville to honor his dedication and service to the horse industry.

He also is in the Walking Horse Hall of Fame.

Gibbon’s other love was the Veterans Museum. He volunteered at the museum from its beginning in 2002, was on the executive board of directors and served as the museum treasurer until 2009. He died March 22, 2010.

The museum staff felt this event would be an excellent way to pay tribute to Gibbons, bring to Athens a family friendly activity and help to maintain the museum.

The show will feature 32 classes with a lead line and stick horse class, up to the stake class of the professional trainers for aged stallions and geldings.

To participate in the show or sponsor a class, contact museum director Sandy Thompson at 256-771-7578 or sndy6732@aol.com or Ken Wilson at 256-777-4578 or kenwilson923@gmail.com.