She actually curled her lip and said, “Why? Walkers can’t run.” She then tried to sell me a different horse. I guess she felt sorry for me. I left feeling discouraged.
About six months later, my trainer encouraged me, heck he MADE me enter our first Craig Cameron Extreme Cowboy Race. We ran and did great in the first race! We actually made top five. We then ran the finals and took second place overall! I was so excited and proud of my 'lil guy!
After the race, the host, that very same woman I met six months earlier who left me discouraged, came up to me and congratulated me on our second place win. As she was talking to me I realized she didn’t remember me. So I said to her, “You don’t remember me, do you? I am the one you told a walker wouldn’t do well in this race. Ma’am, that was a Tennessee Walker that took second place!” She apologized and went away a total believer. We competed three more times throughout the season and placed top 5 every time!
My Tennessee Walker is a very versatile horse. There is nothing he won’t or can’t do. My grandchildren ride him, I have pulled a cart with him, he has dragged logs to a fire for me. We've done barrel racing, competitive trail, and extreme cowboy racing. We've chased cows, and spent countless hours on desert trails. We can ride anywhere, including through town to Starbucks, for coffee and biscotti (we share!). I trust him to carry the injured to safety. I trust him to give his all, and he has always come through a hero.
Tennessee Walkers are very versatile, all you have
to do is ask.
Chapo’s greatest accomplishment is becoming a certified Search and Rescue horse. Chapo is THE horse the Pima County Sheriff’s department calls on to haul injured hikers out from steep canyons with huge rocks and steps. He always takes care of the person on his back.