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1959 World Grand
Champion |
Rodgers’ Perfection #551107
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Rodgers’ Perfection was sired by
Midnight Mack K, out of
Merry Walker, who was
also the dam of Go Boy’s Shadow.
The beautiful black foal was born on Dr. Porter Rodgers’
birthday, May 6th, 1955.
As he developed from a weanling into a big rangy yearling,
his loose way of going, and long sweeping strides continued to
confirm the opinions that he was a truly great prospect for a
champion.
In the winter that Perfection turned three
years old, his natural ability and style was perfected and many who
saw him said that he was the fastest, smoothest walking horse that
was ready for the show ring.
He had plenty of head motion, and kept his legs well up under
him with a fluid like motion to stay in form.
Rodgers’ Perfection won the Junior
Championship at the American Royal Show in Kansas City that year as
well as the Junior Stallion Championship at the Dixie Jubilee Horse
Show in Baton Rouge, and the Stallion Class and Junior Championship
at the Southern Championship Show in Montgomery, Alabama.
As a four-year-old, he won the Stallion Class
and the Championship at Little Rock, Arkansas, and ended his show
ring competition by winning the World Champion Stallion title and
the World Grand Championship at the 1959 Celebration. He was retired from the show ring after the Celebration and
went on to stud. He sired the 1964 World Grand Champion,
GLL’s Carbon Copy.
Perfection was retired from active competition in the show ring
following the 1959 Celebration Horse Show.
The Porter Rodgers farm is the home of numerous champions of the
Walking Horse World for Rodgers' Perfection is the THIRD Grand
Champion Walking Horse of the World to come from there.
First of these was Old Glory's Big Man,
winner of the 1950 Celebration showing with Carl Edwards up for Mr.
and Mrs. J. T. Budd, Jr., of Quincy, Florida, followed in both 1955
and 1956 by Go Boy's Shadow with
Winston Wiser up for Padgett and Wiser.
Winning the Grand Champion Walking Horse of the World is the climax
of a great horse lover's dream! Dr. Rodgers has been
developing and promoting the Tennessee Walking Horse since 1933 and
has done as much for the breed and has probably developed more top
walking horses than any one man to date. Having Rodgers'
Perfection foaled on Dr. Rodgers' own birthday and watching him
develop into the great Grand Champion Walking Horse of the World was
one of the greatest thrills of the doctor's life.
The story of Rodgers' Perfection would not be complete without
mentioning Joe Webb who trained and exhibited Rodgers' Perfection
throughout his show career. From the first nod of
Perfection's head, (and incidentally Joe Webb named him Perfection)
Joe recognized the marks of a champion and set about making him just
that. Joe Webb built a training ring exactly the size of the
big ring on the Celebration grounds. Perfection was in great shape
and physically conditioned for the task at Celebration time. |
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If you wish to print off
this pedigree, click
HERE
to load a black and white copy. |
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2011 10:25
AM
During the sixties I used to go to the
Rogers Farm in Searcy, AR and visit Perfection during
his everyday life there. He was a “gentleman” even with
in-heat mares around. I was raised around Walkers but
Perfection was in a class by himself. Carbon Copy was
great too.
Bud Nelson
Venice, FL
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 10:36 AM
Subject: Re: Rogers Perfection
Yes, it would be fine. We lived in Green Briar,
Arkansas, on a farm, then in the middle 50's my grandparents
moved to Little Rock, my grandmother, Floyce Duncan was a nurse
at the University of Arkansas and my Grandpa worked at the
College as a janitor. I lived with them much of my life.
He had two draft type mares, he plowed with, he had to sell
them, to move to the city. Broke his heart. He sold one of the
mares to a man that rode her, we went to Conway to see her in
the parade, once, after she had been sold, she was a nice
looking, high stepping Belgium type, feathers, white feet, good
mane, their names were Pet and Dolly. Anyway, after his move to
the city, we would go to the Arkansas Livestock show and Watch
the horse shows, he missed that life, but he had a bad back and
couldn't do that work anymore. I named my last child after him,
Marshall is his middle name.
Having a riding horse was unheard of, back then,
he had work horses and mules, from what I remember, they pulled
a plow and plowed, pulled up tree stumps, pulled a wagon,
worked. We were poor. He always liked the Walkers and Fox
trotters, though. He saw a lot of the foundation stock in his
lifetime. We followed Dr. Porter Rogers horses. I think Rogers
Perfection was the best horse I ever saw, then Carbon Copy came
along, that was way back when you used CARBON PAPER to type with
make a copy etc.... people don't know what that is nowadays! I
remember one time, I went to the horse show with him... oh my
gosh.... I think he bought me 10 cones of cotton candy that
day... with strict instructions to "Not tell your Grandma" what
a treat! I use to have a couple of the pictures I've seen on
the internet, they were passed out "Free" . Joe Webb had signed
one... I don't know where they went, when my grandpa died and my
grandmother moved... long time ago... I treasured those black
and whites though.
I even touched Perfection once... through the
stall.... I have VIVID memories of his performance... he brought
tears to your eyes... I watched my grandpa's eyes well up more
than once when he watched him. What a horse!
W
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 12:07 AM
Subject: Rogers Perfection
Hi,
I was there, in Little Rock Arkansas, with my
Grandfather, Marshall C. Duncan, when Rogers Perfection won the
Stallion Class and Championship. I was about ten, I'm 57 now.
I still remember the thrill. The music from an organ, the
spotlight on that black horse, perfect gaits. Took my breath
way. I later, with my Grandfather, saw, as I knew him,
Perfections Carbon Copy, at the fair grounds in Little Rock. I
believe they adjusted his name, later. I watched Joe Webb ride
him, I've never forgotten the day, the names of the horse or the
experience of seeing such a champion.
My Grandpa passed away, a long time ago, but he
would love to know I sent an e-mail about that day.
Wanda Whitten-Cardella
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 10:53 AM
I just found your page and was happy
to see Perfections picture. I was very young I think it was around
1959 to the mid '60s I had the pleasure
of riding Perfection a number of times. Joe was a friend of my
father ( Odell Dorsey ) and we raise gaited horses. During several
of our visits I enjoyed riding and grooming him. He was truly
Perfection!
Ervin Dorsey
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----- Original Message -----
From: Jack Gerke
To:
walkerswest@walkerswest.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 1:14 AM
Subject: Rodgers Perfection
This is not really a story about Rodgers Perfection. When I was
about 14 we bought two horses, mine was a big quarter horse that
pulled a buggy and my Dad's was a Tennessee Walker gelding named
Fraizers Perfection, a grandson of Rodgers. This was in the U.P. of
Michigan. The horse was born around 68 or 69 and we owned him from
74- 76 and had to sell when we moved to Alaska.
We don't know the story but the way we figure this horse was being
trained for show and somehow got a cut on his rear quarter and it
never healed right so he would drag a hoof funny. Probably why he
was gelded and just a riding horse. But talk about a ride. He would
go til he fell over dead. I was young and had a lot of energy too.
Was the only one of us kids that could ride him and I even went
swimming in a pretty deep river. Awesome horse and it still makes my
blood pump thinking about him. We would leave him loose in the yard
as long as the other horses were tied up he wouldn't go no were,
just like a big dog around the house, greeting guests and playing
with the real dogs. Only picture I have is my baby brother in an
oversized sweatshirt standing on a pad of hay with Frazer eating by
his feet.
I've had one Walker since then and hope to find a few to add to our
family soon as some things work out. Thanks
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-----
Original
Message
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From: Joe &
Jenny
Montgomery
To:
walkerswest@walkerswest.com
Sent:
Saturday,
March
14, 2009
6:51 PM
Hi,
About 6
years
ago, I owned
one of
the last
living
sons of
Rodgers
Perfection.
He was a
sorrel
stallion
with
mixed
mane and
tail.
Was one
of the
most
natural
going horses
there
was.
Not to
mention
his
attitude
was
wonderful
for a
stallion. He had
been a
show
horse,
but was
nothing
but a
love for
me.
This was
some
outstanding blood.
What a
shame
there is
little
left. They are
naturals.
Jenny
(Tennessee) |
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If
you have a story or photos of Rodgers' Perfection that you
would like added to this page,
please forward them to
Walkers West. |
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<==1958
1960 ==> |
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Last Updated:
December 07, 2019 |
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