Merry Boy # 350189

(Reprinted from The Heritage Tennessee Walking Horses Website)

Merry Boy was sired by Roan Allen F-38, and was out of the great mare, Merry Legs F-4. Merry Boy was a 3/4 brother to Wilson's Allen. He was foaled at the farm of Albert Dement in Wartrace, Tennessee in 1925.

As a sire, Merry Boy did not receive the attention that his 3/4 brother, Wilson's Allen did. Mr. Dement told the neighbor boys if they could break the young horse and show him that night, they could keep anything they won with him. They really tried. They bucked the horse out all day long and got thrown many, many times for their efforts, but by nightfall, he was rideable enough to carry young Ray Tenpenny to the show. Merry Boy was just tired enough to behave himself and he performed flawlessly. Witnesses said that few horses that ever lived could perform a more perfect running walk that he exhibited that night.

Merry Boy came to New Hermon, TN in 1928. His reputation for meanness was well known. While at the barn of Ed Ward, he was sometimes ridden by Carl Ingle, one of the few men ever to stay on the horse's back. On one occassion, they met a lady in a buggy driving a mare who was in heat. To the embarrassment of the lady, and the disgust of Ingle, Merry Boy took care of things on the spot.

Regardless of his slow start, Merry Boy did sire some outstanding performers under saddle. The fact that Wilson's Allen completely dominated the early Celebrations left little for the offspring of other sires. The best that Merry Boy's get could do was compete for what remained after the Wilson's Allen colts left the ring. The only two World Grand Champion horses that were sired by Merry Boy are the black mare, Black Angel who won in 1943, and Merry Go Boy who won in 1947 and 1948.

Merry Boy died in 1958 at the age of thirty-three.

As a side note, Billy Taylor said, " Mr. A.D. Thoton of the Awalt community stood Merry Boy during the middle 30's. I talked to Mr. Rhoton's son in the middle 90's. He stated his dad rode and worked Merry Boy in harness. He said that his dad was riding Merry Boy one day and a horse fly began bothering him. Mr. Rhoton hit Merry Boy in the side with his heels and Merry Boy bucked and threw him."