Article & photos by LaCresha Kolba
West Tennessee Quarter Horse Association (WTQHA) finished their show season in Franklin, TN at the Williamson County Ag Expo with the Hot to Trot show, August 29-30, 2015.
Jeff Honey of Jeff Honey Show Horses in Arkansas was there with several clients and their horses. Jeff notices how kids who ride horses usually grow to be all around good people. “How often can you find kids who grow up wanting to take on their responsibilities? They want to go and feed the horses; they want to groom and help out in the barn. It is all because of horses.” Jeff grew up riding horses, saying he never played ball, but could always be found on the back of a horse. This weekend he rode, Armed and Dangerous who, according to Jeff, has more character than he knows what to do with, and a very gentle and sweet heart. At the WTQHA in Memphis, TN, Armed and Dangerous was Youth Circuit Champion.
Josh Young, of Josh Young Show Horses in Bethel Springs, Tennessee, was also there with his clients and their horses. He was “tweaking” Image of a Sheik and told about his client’s horse. “This horse is consistent all the way through, really good for a novice rider. He has been in our barn with three different clients over the past eight years. He performs well; he helps beginner riders gain the confidence they need; and he can place well in the shows. We also have a Pleasure horse here, Pistol Pete, whom you can expect to see in the Senior Pleasure class this weekend.”
Josh expressed his interest in the relatively new Ranch Riding classes offered by AQHA. “This is great for those who want to try something different and branch out of the Pleasure classes; it is also great for the reiners. Ranch Riding consists of working a pattern, transitioning from the different gaits, lead changes, trotting over poles. It helps those reining horses who tend to get a little hot. It makes them wait on you for a minute and think; it is great to help condition their minds. This class is also perfect for my clients and students who want to expand their class work when they come to these shows.”
Josh has shown all over the U.S., from Florida to Michigan. He loves showing in Tennessee because of the high caliber of horses and competitors. “Quarter Horses are quite competitive here in Tennessee and the West Tennessee Quarter Horse Association always puts on quality shows. It is great to come here, show and do well against your friends and their horses.”
Clayton Jerrell, from Kevil, Kentucky, was also there with six of his clients. Clayton grew up riding horses; his father trains Standardbred horses. Clayton said his experience working for his dad allowed him to truly develop into a horseman. He had a big smile on his face when he proudly announced he was recently approved as an AQHA Professional Horseman. Clayton was pleased that in the Halter classes each of his clients gained points on their horses.
Saturday and Sunday classes consisted of: Pleasure Driving, Halter, Showmanship, Trail, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Equitation, Ranch Riding and Reining. Judges this weekend were Kenny Hall and Laura Gilmer on Saturday, and Don McDuffee, LG Heier on Sunday. For more information about WTQHA, visit website: www.wtqha.org
West Tennessee Quarter Horse Association (WTQHA) finished their show season in Franklin, TN at the Williamson County Ag Expo with the Hot to Trot show, August 29-30, 2015.
Jeff Honey of Jeff Honey Show Horses in Arkansas was there with several clients and their horses. Jeff notices how kids who ride horses usually grow to be all around good people. “How often can you find kids who grow up wanting to take on their responsibilities? They want to go and feed the horses; they want to groom and help out in the barn. It is all because of horses.” Jeff grew up riding horses, saying he never played ball, but could always be found on the back of a horse. This weekend he rode, Armed and Dangerous who, according to Jeff, has more character than he knows what to do with, and a very gentle and sweet heart. At the WTQHA in Memphis, TN, Armed and Dangerous was Youth Circuit Champion.
Josh Young, of Josh Young Show Horses in Bethel Springs, Tennessee, was also there with his clients and their horses. He was “tweaking” Image of a Sheik and told about his client’s horse. “This horse is consistent all the way through, really good for a novice rider. He has been in our barn with three different clients over the past eight years. He performs well; he helps beginner riders gain the confidence they need; and he can place well in the shows. We also have a Pleasure horse here, Pistol Pete, whom you can expect to see in the Senior Pleasure class this weekend.”
Josh expressed his interest in the relatively new Ranch Riding classes offered by AQHA. “This is great for those who want to try something different and branch out of the Pleasure classes; it is also great for the reiners. Ranch Riding consists of working a pattern, transitioning from the different gaits, lead changes, trotting over poles. It helps those reining horses who tend to get a little hot. It makes them wait on you for a minute and think; it is great to help condition their minds. This class is also perfect for my clients and students who want to expand their class work when they come to these shows.”
Josh has shown all over the U.S., from Florida to Michigan. He loves showing in Tennessee because of the high caliber of horses and competitors. “Quarter Horses are quite competitive here in Tennessee and the West Tennessee Quarter Horse Association always puts on quality shows. It is great to come here, show and do well against your friends and their horses.”
Clayton Jerrell, from Kevil, Kentucky, was also there with six of his clients. Clayton grew up riding horses; his father trains Standardbred horses. Clayton said his experience working for his dad allowed him to truly develop into a horseman. He had a big smile on his face when he proudly announced he was recently approved as an AQHA Professional Horseman. Clayton was pleased that in the Halter classes each of his clients gained points on their horses.
Saturday and Sunday classes consisted of: Pleasure Driving, Halter, Showmanship, Trail, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Equitation, Ranch Riding and Reining. Judges this weekend were Kenny Hall and Laura Gilmer on Saturday, and Don McDuffee, LG Heier on Sunday. For more information about WTQHA, visit website: www.wtqha.org
