Chloe Castell stands with her 17-year-old pony, Central Park — though everyone calls him Sweep.
Ticket to Ride
Story by
Heather Mullinix
Editor
Casteel featured on Celebration ticket
Chloe Casteel had her first taste of
showing horses when she was two —
in a lead-line class where she and her
horse were led around the ring.
She’s been hooked ever since.
The Stone Memorial High School
freshman competed in August at the
82nd annual Tennessee Walking Horse
National Celebration held in Shelbyville,
TN.
While she was hoping to come home
with a ribbon — the publication deadline
for this was prior to the event —
she and her family had a nice surprise
when they saw the tickets for this year’s
event.
The ticket for the first night of the
10-night event features a photo of
Chloe from last year’s show.
“It was a total surprise,” said Robbie
Castell, Chloe’s mom. “A lady posted
the ticket on Facebook and my brother
Bear zoomed in and saw it.
“We couldn’t wait to get our tickets
in the mail.”
In the photo by Celebration photographer
Shane Shiflet, Chloe is coming
down the entry shoot and is in the process
of urging the horse on. Uncle Brad
is beside her, running beside horse and
rider until they’re in the ring.
Chloe comes from a walking horse
family. Her grandparents, Bob and
Linda Bottoms, have been active in the
Tennessee Walking Horse Association
since the 1970s. Robbie and her brothers,
Brad and Bear, also show on the
walking horse circuit.
“She’s been able to use her grandparents’
barn and practice ring,” said
Robbie.
Dad Heath and grandparents Ronnie
and Peggy Casteel are big supporters of
the young equestrian, as well.
Chloe showed a pleasure horse when
she was seven, making her solo debut at
Cumberland Now • September 2020 | 9