ridecamp@endurance.net: AERC Hall of Fame

AERC Hall of Fame

Truman Prevatt (truman.prevatt@netsrq.com)
Tue, 4 Mar 1997 11:54:59 -0400

I want to take the time to congratulate Lawton Johnson on his induction in
to the Hall of Fame. I met Lawton Johnson at my very first Limited
Distance ride and am proud to say I know the man. I was standing in line
to vet in with this big gangly walking horse mare bouncing off the trees.
Lawton walked up in line behind me leading this stallion - the best behaved
horse I have ever seen - and said "nice walking horse". Lawton is a true
horseman. He has done in on many different horses of different breeds..
He has ridden Arabs, half Arabs and Mohawk was half walking horse/half
standardbred. He has ridden mares, gelding and stallions.

I have ridden in with Lawton in the back of the pack and I have raced
Lawton for first place. In either situation Lawton never changes - he is a
true sportsman and gentleman.
On my first try at the Old Dominion, Lawton told me that the last mile
could be tricky and the last turn was easy to miss - especially when I
would most likely be finishing the ride. He then took me out and showed me
the turn so I would not get lost. How many other people would do that for
another rider? Several years ago on the South Carolina ride, I finished
about 45 minutes behind Lawton. When Lawton heard I was not too far behind
him, he stayed up to "congratulate me on doing a good job with my walking
horse".

Lawton's record speaks for itself.. Lawton has over 1000 Old Dominion
miles, 7 ROC buckles and over 12,000 miles over all. Over 5000 of Lawton's
total miles are in one day 100 mile rides. Every step of the way Lawton's
wife and partner Francis was there pit crewing for and helping him. If
ever you wanted to know the definition of a gracious southern lady, Francis
Johnson was that. Lawton and Francis celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary at the '95 Granitville "Golden" Gallop. The Granitville Gallop
was a ride that Lawton and Francis ran for years. Not only did Lawton
ride, he also paid back the sport he loved by managing a ride. Lawton's
induction into the Hall of Fame is also very much a recognition of the
support of Francis Johnson during the many years and many miles.

I my opinion - and I am sure I speak for most Southeast riders (and anyone
else that knows him) - Lawton Johnson epitomizes the best of the sport of
endurance riding and his induction into the AERC Hall of Fame is well
deserved.

Truman

Truman Prevatt
Sarasota, FL

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