Hershel Talley
"Mr. Blue Ribbon"
Daddy on "DUKES HANDY MAN Owned by Lee and Jack Gambrill
Mom and Anna Presented a Memorial Challenge Trophy in Daddy's Honor this year at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.
Family photo when Daddy was inducted into the Hall Of Fame
Montgomery, Al. Southern Championship Win........Three of Dads customers are sitting in the background
Lloyd Wood, Wynn Coleman & Billy Randall!
Daddy and I after we won the Amateur Southern Grand Championship On Eagles Ace (Two Time World Champion) Owned by Ocie M. CooK
This photo was taken at The Tuscaloosa Riding Club where Daddy trained for 9 years before building his own stables in Baileyton...
..The horse wearing the roses was one of his most famous mounts, Spurs Clown Owned by Mr Wynn Coleman and W.O. Crawford
Daddy's Last Horse Show.....He was still Smiling!
Daddy was inducted into the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Hall Of Fame
The following is what was Read during the Induction Ceremony.
HERSHEL V. TALLEY
BIRTH DATE/PLACE:
Jan. 17, 1921, Baileyton, Alabama
Childhood:
Only Son (Had five sisters)
Farm Family
Known in the community as "the boy who was good with horses".
Spouse:
Dorothy Smith Talley (Former nurse) Married 53 years
3 children (Priscilla, Van and Nanette)
2 grandchildren (Tyler & Anna)
How inductee got involved in the TWH industry:
Dr. J.M. Crawford of Arab, Alabama owned several horses and had heard about the young man in Baileyton who was said to be so gifted with horses. He hired Hershel and sent him to Shelbyville Tennessee for a period of three months to work as an apprentice with Winston Wiser. It was only two years later that Hershel and his new Wife, Dorothy opened their own training barn in Rainbow City, Alabama. It was only the first of several they operated for the next 55 years.
Achievements/honors within the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry:
Top trainer in the State of Alabama for three decades. Could spend much time naming the horses, riders and World Championships to his credit but equally important is his contribution to the TWH Industry as Good Will Ambassador and promoter!
He was Instrumental in organizing The Alabama Walking Horse Association (Charter member).
He helped organize the first meeting of the TWH Trainers Association.
It was he that was called on in 1957 to help establish the infamous Montgomery Southern Championship Horse Show, as well as over a dozen other past and present Alabama Shows!
His Honesty made him much sought after as a Judge and served in that capacity for every major Show including the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.
He brought showmanship and excitement into the show ring.. He "Entertained" the crowd. Watching Hershel Talley in the show ring made bystanders want to own and show a Tennessee Walking Horse. He taught countless juveniles and amateurs to ride, his influence undoubtedly brought hundreds of new enthusiasts into this business. His customers were loyal friends forever and many are still major players in our industry even today.
Hershel wore the title of Horse Trainer with Integrity. - He asked for no favors in the ring, made no excuses and never misrepresented a horse just to make a sale. When he rode into an auction ring it was common to hear the auctioneer announce that it was "Hershel Talley broke". That meant anyone could ride it if Hershel Talley "Made it"……..what He told you…….was how it was!
He served as "Teacher" to many young aspiring trainers. He gave them a chance when many others wouldn’t. If you loved horses and came to his barn you were treated like royalty no matter if you drove up in a new Cadillac or an old truck. If you couldn’t afford a horse he would let you ride and show anyway, if you had no riding suit he would lend you one of his, If you had no way to the Horse Show, he would make room for you in the truck. The size of your bank account did not determine if your were his friend or customer.
His barn was never the fanciest, show tack never the newest. His horse truck, perhaps not the largest, but when it pulled up to the show grounds you could always bet it was paid for and full of good horses…………and when he rode through the entrance gate (usually in a running walk) there would be many devoted fans (many sitting in the cheap seats) anxiously waiting to cheer him on……………..and to him…….. that……… was the highest honor of all!
Achievements in business:
In addition to his highly successful career as a Horse Trainer, Hershel Talley and wife, Dorothy were equally successful in farming. Starting with nothing, they acquired several hundred acres of farm land, raised beef cattle, hay and operated 6 poultry houses which produced over ½ million broilers every year!
Civic/Community Achievements/ Honors
Attended Lystra Baptist Church where he was a member of the choir and Deacon. Was recently honored by his Community who renamed the Baileyton Horse Show to The Hershel Talley Memorial Horse Show.
Quote
Hershel Talley passed away two years ago. His Family is saddened the he isn’t here to receive this honor in person. It would have been a deserved and fitting conclusion to a lifetime of dedication and love of the Tennessee Walking Horse. In years past, many others have been inducted into the TWHNC Hall of Fame, but no other deserves this honor more than he.
Hershel Talley- a small man in stature- was indeed a huge influence in this Industry.
Thank you TWHNC for making this possible!
Mother Accepted Daddys Hall Of Fame award along with her Grandson Tyler Clark. Tyler is now attending the University Of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Dad and Ocie Cook at Lystra Church
They were first cousins and the best of Friends!
