Walking On Volume 6, Issue 4, April 2019 | Page 16
WHOA Academy and Schooling Show
March 30, 2019 • Murfreesboro, Tennessee
The 2nd WHOA Academy/Schooling Show was held
at MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tennessee March 30th. This
site brought back many memories for some of us who
have been WHOA members for years. The MTSU site
was the official WHOA site until the Miller Colise-
um was built. It was fun to remember the horses, the
friends and the fun time from yesteryear.
Once again the day started with a Judge’s Session, Ten
judges showed up to renew their WHOA license and
bone up on the rules. The All Day Pleasure Division
drew more comments than other divisions and a lively
discussion was held on the subject. It was good to see
the judges as once again they judged the show along
with the capable Gail Zinter of Wisconsin.
All week our weather forecasters had predicted heavy
rains-strong winds- and chances of tornadoes for the
Murfreesboro area. The day was windy and cloudy but
the show made it thru without weather incidents. The
forecast may have caused the numbers to be down a
wee bit or it could have been because it was spring break
time for the area. The youth classes were lighter than
the previous show but the horses were really nice.
In class number nine we had a rare incident. There
were TWO sets of TWINS!!!!! The cute ( I WAS going to
say LITTLE but they are growing up!!!!) Gardner girls,
Cheyenne and Dakota and new to the show circuit, the
handsome Johnson boys, Tanner and Tucker. I tried all
day to round them up for a group photo but it was like
herding chickens.
Cheyenne and Dakota are the children of Misty and Dickie Gardner while Tanner and Tucker are the grand-
children of Susie and Keith Johnson and Gloria and
Mike Hilley. It was the first show for the Johnson boys
who did very well.
It was such a pleasure for me to see Sandra Barnes
back in the show ring. Sandra did a great job on a two
year old and this was her first time to show in over four
years!!!! You go!
It was always good to see the Kentucky trainers and
exhibitors support the WHOA shows in Tennessee. The
Starnes family did not show but both Linda and Larry
assisted as gate openers and ribbon boys Or girls as Dan
finished up his DQP apprenticeship.
My War Eagle buddies, the Headrick family helped
me cheer on our Auburn Tigers.
There were several new owners and exhibitors at this
show which is always a good sign for the future. Wel-
come to all our exhibitors and we hope you will contin-
ue to show with us.
In closing I want to once again urge all trainers, plus
anyone that is interested in our youth, to take advantage
of the Academy Program. It is a great way to obtain
new customers, introduce new riders to the show ring
thata will be competing against exhibitors of their skill
level These new customers just may turn into life long
customers as their skills improve they will buy new
horses. Just a thought! Go to your local school and put a
sign on their bulletin board then be prepared for lots of
calls!!!!!
– Sis Osborne
Watch This Deal making a blue ribbon deal with Kelly Richards to win the
Yearling Amateur class for Jones and Richards. It was a good day for Charlie Howard with A Gun Show and
Mercedes Mercedes Benz in the Country Pleasure division.
16 • Walking On