Obituary – Marion “Bit” Hutcheson
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
The bad news continued in the show horse community with the passing of Happy Valley Farm’s Bit Hutcheson on Tuesday evening, December 3rd. Created by her late parents, John L. and Marion Hutcheson, Happy Valley has been an iconic American Saddlebred training and breeding facility for decades.
Over the years, stallions such as Indiana Peavine, Merchant Prince, Harlem’s Friendly Conversation and I’m The Prince have stood at the Rossville, Georgia facility. Hutcheson was a star in the show ring with the likes of CH Lilly Merrill, CH Precious Princess, CH Enlightening, CH In Reality and CH Allege.
In recent times, she focused on an extremely successful breeding program. Merchant Prince was a world’s champion in the harness division and then he sired many world’s champions, including twice world’s grand champion (fine harness and three-gaited) CH A Sweet Treat. Merchant Prince’s son, reserve world’s champion I’m The Prince sired multi-titled world’s grand champion CH Grande Gil. Among others, Harlem’s Friendly Conversation sired the 2019 Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Show Pleasure 14-17 World’s Champion of Champions, CH Graceful Surprise.
In an already declining breeding industry, Hutcheson and her Happy Valley Farm will be greatly missed.
Details on Hutcheson’s arrangements will be updated as they are received.
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