Walking On Volume 5, Issue 4, April 2018 | Page 11

WHOA Academy Schooling Show
Shelbyville, Tennessee • March 17
March 17 was a beautiful day to show your Tennessee
Walking Horse and WHOA capitalized on it. WHOA
hosted a show at the beautiful Pleasant Valley facility in
Shelbyville Tennessee and the turn-out was wonderful
for an early March Show with 123 entries making the
gate call. This number was up from our show here last
year.
The USDA crew arrived during the 2nd class and
were set up to assist, if needed. The USDA was very
complimentary of the horses that were presented for
inspection and also very complimentary of WHOA’s
record keeping. 
Good horses, good judges, good friendly exhibitors
and of course GOOD FOOD make for an excellent
show. Rowdy Ranch provided the food for the event
and it was DEEEELICIOUS!  I think it was THE ABSO-
LUTE BEST PORK TENDERLOIN I have ever eaten.
Horse shows, my advice is to call Tony so he can set up
at your show. Rowdy Ranch offered bar-b-q plates, bar-
b-que sandwiches, potato salad (2 kinds), baked beans,
slaw, etc. All was just really ,really good.
A big thank you on my part to Rex Nance and Rhon-
da Martocci for doing gate duty. You two sure saved me
some steps. Many of you know Rhonda is serving as
WHOA President this year. She gave up showing to do
this for the association which would be a tremendous
sacrifice for most of us. Rhonda jumps right in to assist
wherever she is needed. THANK YOU Rhonda Martoc-
ci!!!
I know you probably think I am just b lowing smoke
up your “way” but the horses exhibited were awfully
nice. You will be seeing these same horses (results in the
back) in the winner’s circle at many shows this season
no matter the affiliation. The youth classes were over-
flowing with excellent youth riders. There were nine
good entries in the flat shod youth class. Their skills are
improving with each show.
Several “new” exhibitors were on hand. It is contin-
ually enjoyable to see new exhibitors especially in the
youth division. Saturday was no exception. Landon Cof-
fey is new to the WHOA circuit but comes from a long
line of horse promoters . Mom, Nicole Kakassy Coffey
has showed all her life (it was wonderful to see her back
in the ring winning ribbons) Father, Chris showed spot-
ted saddle horses back in the day. I just know Berry and
Bruce were grinning
WHOA’s next show in this area will be April 7th at
the historical Harlinsdale Park in Franklin TN. This is
a DRESS SHOW so bring your best look and come on
down. You can visit the graves of Midnight Sun and
Gen’s Major General and have your picture made if you
so desire. Hope to see you April 7th!!!!!
–Sis Osborne
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