Famous country musician Gene Autry owned a Tennessee Walking Horse named "Champion," as well as other horses that appeared along side him throughout his career that ranged from movies, television, radio and even a comic book series. There was Champion as well as his six other doubles, the original Champion died in 1943 of an apparent heart attack while Gene Autry was off in the service. The second Champion or "Lindy Champion" wasn't famous for appearing on television and radio, but for being the first horse to fly on a plane from Burbank, California to New York. Her name was given to her because she was born on the same day that Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic, traveling from New York City to Paris, France. The rest of the "Champions" made their careers with movies, public appearances, and television shows such as "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "Merv Griffin."
The all too well-known King of Rock 'N Roll Elvis Presley had quite the liking for Tennessee Walking Horses; many were kept in his home of Graceland. Soon the population of horses grew too large and he purchased a separate ranch (The Circle G) for all of them. Elvis had many of these horses, and although several were purchased for family and friends. Elvis purchased one especially for his father, Vernon. It was a black Tennessee Walking Horse, which was "Colonel Midnight" in honor of his business manager. Elvis even bought his bodyguard and friend, Red West, a Tennessee Walking Horse of his own. The King had a few favorites. One of them was named "Bear" and another named after the Memphis Mayor at the time (William B. Ingram), Ingram.
William Shatner of the very popular science fiction television series "Star Trek" owns a successful Tennessee Walking Horse breeding farm in Kentucky.
Many Tennessee Walking Horses are used in parades and such, and some specifically in the Indy 500 and the Super Bowl.
Clark Gable, known as quite possibly the best actor of all time, had a great liking for the Tennessee Walking Horse. The Arizona Biltmore Resort was a well-known getaway for celebrities like Clark Gable to enjoy horseback riding, and the Tennessee Walking Horse was his horse of choice at the resort.
The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA) was formed in 1935; somewhere around 300,000 horses are registered with the TWHBEA presently.
The first ever World Grand Champion declared in 1939 went by the name of "Strolling Jim." Later a Tennessee Walking Horse by the name of "Merry Go Boy" was a two time World Grand Champion in the years 1947 and 1948. He had a fruitful career of winnings before passing away in 1969 at the age of 24.
One little thing that the walking horse is famous for is their collected like gallop or "rocking chair" canter. Other horses are capable of doing this same thing but Tennessee Walking Horses have developed a somewhat less stressful way of doing it.
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