WHOA Academy / Schooling Show March 6 , 2021 • Shelbyville , Tennessee
March 6th kicked off the Walking Horse Owners ’ Association 2021 show season . The kick was a long distance field goal equal to a Super Bowl winning score ! The day combined one exciting element after another to make our first horse show one to remember .
Hosted on the beautiful Pleasant Valley Farm , Kaitlyn Rippy had everything in tip top shape from the arena , the designated warm up area , sound system , to the parking area , all were prefect . Mother Nature cooperated with an absolutely gorgeous day which brought the horses out in droves . Actually 190 entries made their way into the show ring to be expertly judged by Jason Backert of Missouri . Thank you Jason for your expertise ! Another cherry to the terrific day were the youth turnout ! WHOA is understandably proud of our youth riders as they continue to fill all the youth classes to capacity . The WHOA Academy classes were phenomenal ! I personally , want to extend a heartfelt
thanks to the instructors who brought their riders to the show . The kids were primed and ready ! ALL did an excellent job . I must mention young Ally Jo Jacobs who guided Mr . Deeds to a blue ribbon in her first solo ride . Later in the day Ally Jo proved she could stick tight when Mr . Deeds decided to canter , Ally Jo never moved , never panicked never batted a pretty young eye . She just cantered like a pro until someone told her to stop which she did . In another class ( it may have been the same class ) we had a rodeo contest and both young riders styed the full 8 seconds with their horses in full buck mode . They too never panicked , just managed to stop , regroup and head to the rail without a cry or tear . I am sooo proud that our young riders can RIDE and not panic when the situation deviates from what they are used too . WAY TO GO ACADEMY RIDERS !!!! Instructors you must be very proud of your students who handled the situations without a bobble !
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1 Amanda , Jake , and Allie Jo Jacobs , aboard Mr . Deeds , with Leigh Stewart . 2 WC Josie And The Pussycats with Lynn Womack and her granddaughter . 3 Judge Jason Bachert is flanked by apprentice judges Jeff Heuer , Robert Bowden , Brady Bachert , and Kim Richwine . 4 Mackenzie Morgan with Alainna Sharpe on My Rhinestone Romeo . 5 Tony and Tina Bowling , with Devoted and trainer Kyle Elliott . 6 The Simons family with Ava Simons after her Academy 11 & Under win .
10 • Walking On