Member Spotlight : Jennifer Batts
Horse-crazy from a young age , Jennifer Batts grew up wanting a Tennessee Walking Horse . As a teenager that desire was made a reality and , as an adult , Jennifer has fully pursued her passion . She has bred and raised numerous successful show horses that also went on to produce blue ribbon winning offspring . From rail classes to versatility , Jennifer has excelled . Quick to share her love for the breed , one of her favorite things is to watch a horse she owned bring joy to a new owner .
Where did you grow up ?
Lots of places : Alexandria , Virginia Spotsylvania , Virginia West Point , Virginia Barnwell , South Carolina Tonopah , Arizona Apex , North Carolina
What is your professional background ? I have been a Nurse Anesthetist for 16 years , practiced as a Registered Nurse prior to attending anesthesia school .
What are the names of your immediate family members and are they involved with the horses ? My husband is Gary Batts , he is involved every day in our horses .
When and how were you introduced to the Tennessee Walking Horse ? My first introduction was through the many horse books I read as a child , I do remember saying early on that I wanted a Tennessee Walking Horse . The first Tennessee Walking Horses I saw were field trial horses in the Arizona desert . When I moved to North Carolina as a teenager , I started working for John & Becky Singleton at their walking horse farm and was introduced to show and breeding horses .
When did you get your first Tennessee Walking Horse and what was their name ? My first TWH was a bred mare named Shadow ’ s Duchess , I kept her and her foal until the constraints of adulthood intervened .
8 • Walking On