Hinton to lead Horsemen in 2011

[Mike]

Posts on ASB state that Steve Hinton will be leading 'The Horsemen' for next season in place of Jim Beasley, who is standing down from the team for 2011.

http://www.asb.tv/forums/index.php?showtopic=9889&st=60

Thanks for some great shows over the past few years Jim, and I hope to see you back displaying a P-51 soon. I'm sure that Steve will do an excellent job, and here's to another excellent (and safe) season for 'The Horsemen'.

[ZRX61]

Got the same update on FB about an hour ago.

[warbird1]

Wow, that's sad to hear, but I know the Horsemen are in excellent hands with Steve at the helm.

Jim, thanks for your hard work with the Horsemen, it's much appreciated. Is this permanent and why the decision?

[Jim Beasley]

It's permanent; I'm pretty busy with work, family. etc. and frankly Shipley was using the team for one business "adventure" after another which was getting really old and draining, not to mention pretty expensive. I just want to go to airshows, fly hard, have fun, and of course try to keep finding fun warbird projects to work on with Rich. I'm not into the whole airshow business gimmick thing and don't want to do it. Ever. Never mix business with friends because it will always destroy it.

I will miss flying with Dan Friedkin and hanging with Tom F and the crew because they're the best. Hinton will give them the chance to use F86s as well so that's pretty neat and maybe he can work Steveo into it as well.

I'm going to do my solo shows around here and I will finally get to compete in a full season of motocross racing, which I haven't been able to do for a long long time since many of the shows and related demands overlapped with the series I race.

Merry Xmas all -- Jim

Wow, that's sad to hear, but I know the Horsemen are in excellent hands with Steve at the helm.

Jim, thanks for your hard work with the Horsemen, it's much appreciated. Is this permanent and why the decision?

[Craig59]

I had the pleasure of watching their beautiful performance at the Alliance Airshow about six weeks ago. Fantastic!

[Zachary]

Jim,

Thank you for being a part of some of my most memorable airshow experiences over the past few years. The Horsemen performances were everything a good act should be - graceful, powerful, precise, and emotional. Thanks for being a part of that!

Zack

[TAdan]

Jim, I'll echo Zach's sentiment. I really enjoyed seeing you fly with the Horseman in Atlantic City. Thanks for all the hard work you have put into the group.

I look forward to seeing you perform at some airshows in the North-East in 2011. (Reading, PA... fingers crossed...)

[Robbie Stuart]

Jim, I am sorry I have never seen the Horsemen in person, so I hope in the future some day to at least see you do your solo routine. I admire a man that's honest with himself, when it "quits being fun", its time to do something else.
Best Always
Robbie

[Ztex]

Yeah! What Zach Said!

Thanks Jim!



(Did he say "use F-86's" !?!?!? )

Holy cow! That's a hellava idea!
I can't wait to see that come to pass!

[RyanShort1]

Sounds like you're making a good call. Thought it was a good call when you took Jr. in the L-4 as well. Hope you make it down to Texas again sometime. It was really nice meeting y'all at WOH last year. That hat is definitely a keeper.

Ryan

[Chris]

DAM*&&. You guys put on a great performance every time I saw you. I still think the Bearcat display at Chino was one of the best I've ever seen, especially considering your limited time in the plane. But You're absolutely correct in backing out. If you're not into it %110, then it's time to step down. Wise decision.

[ZRX61]

Hinton will give them the chance to use F86s as well

.. or possibly Tigercats.... however, it's possible I may be just a tad biased

Still going to come out West for Chino anyway?

[warbird1]

Thanks for the info and insight Jim. You are a class act and your contributions over the years has not gone unnoticed. That's too bad that things did not work out for you, but it sounds like you are going to still be involved in the warbird movement - fantastic news! Best wishes for whatever role you end up playing in the future! Good luck!

[krlang]

Wow, this is an interesting bit of news.
Thanks for doing it as well as you did Jim, we enjoyed every bit of it. You are a Rockstar!
With all of the shows we have been to I still have not seen the Spit.
I saw three 5 bladers flying together in the UK, I want to hear that again.


Good luck to Steve, he will do well.
Hopefully this does not limit their travel to the east coast.