9. Do you have a favorite
memory from your time in the
breed?
I have many amazing memories from participating in the
various aspects of the TWH
breed over the years. Like everyone else, I will never forget
showing in the big oval at the
Celebration for the first time. I
will always cherish the memory of my first blue ribbon on
my AOT performance horse in
Middle Tennessee. But the very
best memories I have are from
the friendships I have developed
and people I have met while
owning and showing TWHs.
10. What are your horse-related goals for the future?
I intend to continue showing
and participating on the WHOA
circuit, breeding my mares and raising a few colts and
looking forward to seeing them grow up and develop
into talented and useful horses. As opportunities present themselves, I also intend to share my experiences
with this wonderful breed of horse.
11. Why did you decide to develop the Southern
Strides shows? Who else was instrumental in getting
Southern Strides started?
Three years ago, Jack Crowe and I were on the board
of the Georgia Walking Horse Exhibitors Association.
As we watched the decline in our horse show entries,
our membership and the number of horses, owners
and trainers in Georgia, we tried to figure out how
to increase participation at our shows. By talking to
people around the state, we found out that there are
a lot of really nice flat shod TWH horses in Georgia
that were participating in 4-H and saddle club shows
and/or going to other states to show where they could
participate in versatility events. We also found out that
the majority of the people who showed in versatility
attended mostly WHOA-affiliated shows.
Jack and I decided there might be an opportunity to
create a WHOA-affiliated versatility-based show circuit
here in Georgia. We met with other people in Georgia
who had similar interests and as a group we decided
we would give it a try! Once we announced our intentions, quite a few people expressed their interest and
support with membership and sponsorships. Southern
Strides, Inc. was formed to provide the organizational
structure for setting up the shows. We decided to have
four shows the first year and just see what happened.
We also decided to have a clinic in conjunction with
each show to provide educational opportunities for
those who wanted to learn more about versatility. Jack
has done a lot of work behind the scenes to make the
shows possible and several of our members have really
stepped up to help out at the shows and work very
hard to make the shows successful!
12. How many entries did you have last year in the
Southern Strides shows?
Our very first show in May, 2015 had 134 entries.
Each show after that grew in number of entries until
we reached 247 entries at our final show of the year
in November. We have already had our first show for
2016 and started off the year with 177 entries.
13. What are your goals for Southern Strides?
Our goal for Southern Strides has always been to
focus on youth, versatility and providing educational
opportunities for our members. We plan to continue
with our clinics and we are working to get more people
involved in the versatility events. We have been very
fortunate to have a large number of youth participants
at our shows. At every show, at least one of the show
officials comment that they haven’t seen this many kids
at a show in years! For me, that’s what it’s all about!
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