Dear Editor,
How appropriate, considering Putnam’s rich history with horses, that a striking mural of a livery stable graces our town. Once the heart of harness racing in the South, John Manley and his sons Emory and Leon brought fame and fortune to the Briar Patch. (You can read the whole story at the Old School History Museum.)
Today, John’s great-grandson Greg Manley with his annual barrel racing contest, brings in people from all over the South, spending tens of thousands of dollars supporting local businesses. Hardly anything to snort at!
Ed and Marjorie White, who bred Paso Fino horses at their Valee Escondido on South Steel Bridge Road, graced Putnam County with eight Grand National championships. (I say graced because a rider can put a glass of wine on his head and the Paso Fino runs so gracefully, the wine will not spill.)
Peggy Allen, with her indoor Idlewild Equestrian arena, offers lessons and riding opportunities to people of all ages, as well as a training ground for many championship riders. And most recently, Sabrina Carmichael, Future Farmers of America president at Putnam County High School, won Gold placement at the national level for her Supervised Agricultural Experience Project in Equine Entrepreneurship.
I think it makes good horse sense to pay tribute to our equestrian friends and their owners for what they have contributed to the Briar Patch.
Susan Larson, Briar Patch Resident