June 2023 Digital Edition

June 2023

Cover Story: The Germantown Charity Horse Show’s Economic Impact

HORSE HEALTH

THERE IS A CRISIS SILENTLY BREWING IN THE EQUINE VETERINARY WORLD

P. 8

BEHIND THE BUSINESS

TAYLORMADE ARENAS

P. 14

PEOPLE & HORSE DURRELL SMITH, OWNER & FOUNDER OF THE SPORTING LIFE NOTEBOOK

P. 15

YOUNG RIDERS

JULIA WHITEHEAD TAKING EVERY OPPORTUNITY

P. 18

Watch trainers from across the country put their horsemanship skills to the ultimate test as they show what they have accomplished with an untouched wild horse in just 100 days.

One the Cover:

Brittany Kasprack and Sarabi were the winners of the 2022 $25,000 Grand Prix of Germantown. The 2023 Germantown Charity Horse Show will take place on June 6-10 this year. Tuesday night is free to the public and Tickets are $5.00 for Wednesday- Saturday. Children under three are free. Visit www.GCHS.org for more information on schedules and history of the show.

Photo By Shawn McMillen Photography

MTSU Stock Horse Team Picture

Photo by Cait Russell Photography Urban Harvest Raised Beds

Let’s Clear the Air.

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Publisher’s Note

A Reflection Over the Last Year

June 2023

Volume 33 | Number 10

Publisher & Owner

Lauren Pigford Abbott labbott@mshorsereview.com 901- 279- 4634

Office & Accounts Manager

Andrea Winfrey andrea@mshorsereview.com

Editorial Coordinator & Writer: Alicia Johnson Alicia@mshorsereview.com

Advertising & Marketing

Intern: Kayla Benson info@mshorsereview.com

Contributing

Writers & Photographers

Grace Netter

Juliana Chapman

Gary Cox

Paul Nolte Mailing: P.O. Box 594 Arlington, TN 38002 901-867-1755

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We cannot guarantee publication or return of manuscripts or artwork. reproduction of editorial content, photographs or advertising is strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher.

Published by Ford Abbott Media, LLC

www.midsouthhorsereview.com

Last June was an exciting period of my life. I was closing one chapter and walking into a new one. My sweet daughter, Joey, started daycare at the beginning of the month, and I was gearing up to go back to work. Although I was not returning to my previous position from maternity leave; I was stepping in as the new Owner and Publisher of the MidSouth Horse Review.

June 15, 2022 was the exact date MSHR changed hands and I began my adventure as a business owner. I had very clear expectations, goals, and an overall vision. I had forecasted all of my financials and prospected every person and business I wanted and needed to build relationships with. I worked on an editorial calendar and researched best ways to engage audiences and readers in a traditional print format. I created a marketing strategy to help introduce the new look of the Horse Review to its existing audience and to a brand new one.

I planned a new website to offer advertising clients the most up to date digital advertising positions and ways digital readers could find timely content on a daily basis. I planned a social media strategy and launched the Horse Review on Instagram. I had to evaluate design and ways to entice new and existing readers and advertisers to a newsprint publication. I found the right financial mentors and advisers to help me with managing accounting and bookkeeping, something I did not have to do in the past as an employee. I planned as much as I could before it all landed in my lap.

This is my 12th issue to publish, and there are still so many things I need to do and goals I have. I believe in this publication, our region and our equine business owners and riders. I have so much to learn as a business owner. I make mistakes daily! And there are so many people I need to meet. There is a lot of trial and error taking place and I am still figuring out how to manage time efficiently and be able to grow this publication’s readership, reach and revenue.

Looking back over the last year I want to share where we have had success and growth take place. First, our readership growth has been exciting to watch as it grows. We have maintained our distribution footprint in the region, along with adding new distribution locations in Jonesboro and Little Rock, Ark., Jackson, Miss, and even in Ocala and Wellington, Fla. We have over 300 locations where our print

publication is distributed and shipped every month. My goal, as publisher, is to saturate all of the major Southeastern cities with the Horse Review and it become a household name to equestrians in all southern cities.

The most exciting part about our readership is how our digital readership has increased by 40% over the last 12 months. The top ten cities our digital readers live in are 1. Memphis, Tenn., 2. Atlanta, Ga., 3. Chicago, Ill., 4. Nashville, Tenn., 5. Little Rock, Ark., 6. Dallas, Tx., 7. Ashburn, Va., 8. Jackson, Miss. 9. Hernando, Miss. and 10. Jonesboro, Ark.

Our loyal readers go directly to our website every month and read on average two articles per visit. New readers read on average 1.3 articles on their first visit to our website, and readers who come to our website through google search read 1.5 articles once they click to an article page. Our overall organic search has increased by 17% too. Thanks to Google Analytics we can analyze detailed reports on our digital readership at any time. This has helped us plan engaging content and give you, our readers, more articles like the ones you read the most.

Our reach is something I am always tracking. Reach is the number of eyeballs that see the Horse Review brand and content. It is a driving force for increasing our readership. By pulling social media analytic reports through Meta Business we see our social media pages have reached 383,202 eyeballs starting on June 15, 2022 to May 19, 2023, a month shy of a full year. The previous year we reached 57,562 eyeballs through social media. With our consistent social media plan we have reached a total of 325,640 additional eyeballs in the last 11 months than the previous 12 months. The amount of engagement we have had with new readership and reach on our website and through social media has been astounding and exciting. It has connected us with a new digital audience and that is hurrling us into the future with great momentum to build upon.

Revenue growth is always a business owner’s biggest focus and stressor. I knew walking into this role I had to put a large amount of energy into our editorial strategy to grow our readership and our reach. Direct sales are what makes a business operate, but content is king and the readership and reach for a publication is what drives the horse and carriage!

Over the last 12 months we focused on maintaining the Horse Review’s long standing relationships with loyal advertising clients. We had discussions with our loyal advertisers on the power of digital and social media and how it is the first thing readers see in today’s digitally focused world. We recommended new and different ways to help create a return on their advertising investments, and we listened to their feedback and why they love the Horse Review.

With that we have maintained 98% of our business with longtime advertisers, and I want to thank every single advertiser for sticking with us throughout the last 12 months! Without you we could not publish the Horse Review and write about our equestrians, horses, and our regional horse community.

We did bring on new advertising clients and I am grateful for the new relationships we have built with Kentucky Equine Research, our From the Experts Sponsor, Gateway Tire, our Gold Sponsor, Cornerstone Equine Veterinary Services, our Horse Health section sponsor, and Meadowthorpe Farm, our Young Riders sponsor. We have great, new campaign advertising clients such as Taylor Select Bedding, Solectrac, Tennessee Horse Cremation, Kindred Spirit Photography, Boondocks Western Store, Sterling Elite Sporthorses, Life Signs, and more!

We have become affiliate partners of EQL by Kerrits,

Tractor Supply Company, Rocky Boots Company, and Innovet. Because of the existing advertising clients who continue to support the Horse Review and the new advertisers, sponsors and affiliate partners, we have managed to grow our revenue by 15.9% over the previous 12 months. That is a number I want to always see go up as a business owner, but I am incredibly grateful for the trust our advertisers had in our suggestions, recommendations and most of all our readership and reach.

Who are the real champions over the last 12 months? That would be Andrea Winfrey, the Horse Review’s Office and Accounts Manager. She talks with every single client we have, every single month. She manages advertising clients and sells advertising campaigns. She has made sure the company’s account receivables are in good standing and she has done that for the last 15 years. She is my sounding board and who I always rely on to give candid and honest feedback during brainstorming sessions. She is my right hand woman and I’d be lost without her!

Alicia Johnson, the Horse Review’s Editorial Coordinator and Writer, is such a positive spirit in my day-to-day life. She is always eager to try new things, connect with sources, write anything I suggest and even organize content that needs to be uploaded to the website. No matter what, she is always asking how she can help, and I am grateful for her positive and easy going nature. I constantly receive positive reader feedback on her articles, which reinforces how engaged our readers are with the Horse Review and with her informative and educational articles.

Mandy Bradshaw-Tate, the Horse Review’s Shipping and Distribution Coordinator, came on board to help us with distribution. She has given me so much time back and is happy to help pack and ship over 125 boxes to our out to town distribution locations each month. She then drives all over the mid-south to deliver papers to our local distribution spots. She has been a wonderful teammate, and I am so grateful for her help!

The entire 3090 Marketing team, and specifically, Rachel Ledet. She is my business coach, best friend and fellow woman- owned business owner. She and her team launched our new website, work on monthly designs, production, website and social media management. Rachel and her team have helped us find areas we can improve to better serve and deliver our content to our print and digital readers.

The Horse Review’s Contributing Writers and Photographers from over the last twelve months: Gary Cox, Paul Nolte, Grace Netter, Juliana Chapman, Melanie Sutton and Michele Harn have all contributed beautiful photography and outstanding content and articles. They have all been instrumental throughout the last year, and I cannot thank them enough.

Of course, I would be remiss not to thank Tom and Nancy Brannon. Your devotion and countless hours put into this publication from the time you took it over in 2009 to last June has directly set me up for success. The Mid-South Horse Review name and brand has such a meaningful impact in our equine community, and you instilled that credibility and positivity over your 14 years of leadership and ownership. Thank you for trusting me to take it over and carry the torch. My goal is to only expand on the great works you both accomplished. I hope to always see the readership, reach and revenue grow and to build on the foundation and legacy of you both.

Last (whew this is getting long, especially for me) Chad, my husband, thank you for letting me live this dream career. I stole you away from your charming, midtown Memphis home and relocated you to Mississippi. You went from having one amazing dog to four dogs, a cat, three horses and eight acres that requires an insane amount of upkeep and maintenance. You gave me our daughter, which somehow came out looking identical to you. That’s ok, I love looking at her bright, beautiful and happy face and seeing you as she grows. You never questioned my desire to take over this business, you said, “DO IT!” And you have faith that I will do it well. Thank you for being the best partner and husband. There is no doubt you are the main reason I keep taking steps forward. I love you. Thank you to the Mid-South Horse Review Readers! Please always give me your constructive criticism because I am here for you, to bring you the stories, resources, and knowledge you need to become the best horseman and horsewoman you possibly can be. Here is to the next 12 months!

Lauren Pigford Abbott Publisher & Owner

Equine Veterinary Crisis

Sustaining Emergency and Critical Care Services in an Ever-Changing Landscape

By VIRGINIA-MARYLAND COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE.

into private practice or further their education by seeking an internship, possibly followed by a residency, but can expect to earn much less than their small animal counterparts during the first several years of their careers.

“I want to work with horses but I simply can’t afford it,” said fourth-year veterinary student Olivia Reiff ‘23, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

The diminishing availability of equine practitioners is not restricted just to the US. In the United Kingdom (UK), 9% of veterinary students initially choose to focus on equine, and only 2% of them actually graduate and pursue their chosen careers. A shocking 80% of all veterinary graduates in the UK will quit the profession within five years.

“It is getting progressively more difficult to find and hire equine veterinary specialists,” said Rachel Atherton, partner at Lingfield Equine Veterinarians, in Lingfield, West Sussex, UK.

Work/life balance is another factor impacting the retention of equine veterinarians. The expectation of 24-hour access to emergency care on the farm, 365 days per year, is no longer sustainable for many practices. Small animal practice on the other hand is a very different story with after-hours and emergency care typically provided by specialist emergency clinics.

There is a crisis silently brewing in the equine veterinary world.

The combination of older veterinarians leaving the field, current equine veterinarians leaving for better pay and work/life balance, and fewer numbers of veterinary students choosing equine as their elective field of specialty have seriously affected the availability of primary and emergency care for horses throughout the United States and beyond. And, if nothing is done now, this could be greatly problematic for horse owners who need to seek medical care for their horses in the coming years.

Michael Erskine, director of the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) in Leesburg, Virginia, is part of a national commission looking into the problem. The EMC is one of three animal health care facilities of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

“Equine veterinarians typically provide emergency care for their client’s horses, but emergency coverage can be especially challenging, taking a huge toll on equine practitioners who are often expected to be available 24/7,” said Erskine. “Equine referral hospitals, unlike small animal emergency clinics, are few and far between with horse owners often having to travel substantial distances to seek comprehensive emergency care.”

Research by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) discovered that only a small percentage of veterinary students choose to pursue a career in equine veterinary medicine. Of those 1.3% go straight into private practice after graduation with 4.5% pursuing an equine internship to further their training.

What is most alarming is that within five years, due to the demands of the profession, 50% of these equine-focused

veterinarians will move to small animal practice or decide to leave their aspirations for a career as a veterinarian behind altogether.

One major area of concern for new college graduates is compensation. Pursuing a veterinary degree is an expensive endeavor, with students typically graduating with double-digit six-figure debt.

Graduates who chose to focus on small animals can expect to step into a six-figure salary soon after graduation. In comparison, equine-focused graduates may choose to go

On July 7, 2022, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, announced the formation of the Commission on Equine Veterinary Sustainability – one of the association’s largest-ever initiatives, which has set out to address the equine veterinary crisis.

The commission, led by AAEP-member volunteers, is focusing on strategic areas of concern which need to be addressed to encourage and support equine-focused veterinarians to continue in or enter into the field of equine veterinary medicine.

Erskine ‘84, DVM ‘88, Jean Ellen Shehan Professor and

director of the EMC, has been directly involved by acting as co-chair on a subcommittee of AAEP’s Commission on Equine Veterinary Sustainability, alongside Leann Kuebelbeck, surgeon and practice owner of Brandon Equine Medical Center in Brandon, Florida.

The 13-member strong subcommittee’s mission is to explore the unique challenges of providing emergency services and to consider service models to address the work-life balance, professional fulfillment, and recruitment and retention of equine veterinarians, while also considering how best to educate clients about these challenges.

While Erskine and his fellow committee members explore the issue on a national, big-picture level, improving emergency and critical care is very much a practical daily concern for Erskine at EMC.

Ensuring the future of emergency and critical care services at the EMC has required some out-of-the-box thinking and has been a top priority for Erskine. Careful consideration has been given to EMC clinicians and clinical support staff and their work-life balance, currently available and future outpatient and elective services, and the needs of the equine community with respect to emergency care.

Currently, EMC clinicians cover outpatient, elective, and emergency services. Erskine’s commitment to securing the future availability of top-notch emergency and critical care services at the EMC has prompted him to commit to a new, dynamic emergency service model: A dedicated team of board-certified emergency and critical care specialists is being formed and will be fully supported by the clinicians already on staff at the EMC who are board-certified specialists in surgery and internal medicine.

“This emerging emergency and critical care team model

will be staffed by clinicians who enjoy the challenges of emergency medicine and will dramatically reduce on-call hours currently required of our internal medicine and surgery clinicians. Moreover, this model will allow our highly trained professionals the opportunity to focus on their specialty areas,” said Erskine. “Our goal is to implement this model without increasing costs to our clients”.

A generous anonymous donor – who understands the challenges faced by an equine emergency referral hospital – has committed $1.5M in funding to support the majority of costs associated with the start-up of the new service for the initial three years. It is estimated that by year four, hospital operations will fully support the service.

If this dynamic emergency service model proves successful, it may be implemented by other equine referral hospitals, thereby encouraging equine veterinarians to continue the work they love in their chosen field of expertise.

Meanwhile, Erskine will continue to help lead the exploration of how to solve the problems at a national level.

“The sub-committee is already identifying various emergency coverage models that have emerged and will be providing information to AAEP members about these models and how they may be incorporated into their practices,” Erskine said. “Some models include practice co-ops, dedicated emergency service practices, relief veterinarians, referral hospitals and emergency clinics, telemedicine, etc.”

Erskine said his subcommittee will be examining state licensing requirements and how they affect equine veterinarians in practice. “We also intend to engage national horse associations to seek input, explore potential solutions, and help with horse owner communications regarding emergency coverage and expectations,” Erskine said.

Summary reports and presentations from each sub-committee of the commission are expected to be delivered at the 2023 AAEP Convention in San Diego, Nov 29-Dec 3.

Equine Insect Bite Hypersensitivity

By Alicia Johnson

your horse suffers from IBH you may notice dermatitis and hives in addition to the pruritus and consequent hair loss. If you own or care for Welsh ponies, Icelandic, Shire, or other Northern European breeds, watch out for IBH as these breeds may be genetically predisposed to it.

There are two different types of IBH: type 1 occurs when an immediate reaction to a bite is seen; type 2 involves a delayed reaction. Regardless of which type of IBH your equine has, both cause the same aforementioned symptoms. One of the major risks with IBH is secondary infections. Due to the constant itching, your horse can create abrasive skin damage. Once the skin is opened, your horse is now at risk for infection. The hot, humid weather combined with open skin will only entice more insects to the site, thus exacerbating the condition.

Lichenification, or an area of thickened skin, is also a secondary threat associated with IBH. Chronic rubbing and itching causes irritation which results in additional skin cell growth. The cells combine and pile up to the point of creating a leathery or tree bark-like appearance on the horse’s skin.

Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an allergic dermatitis, or skin inflammation, most commonly caused by the bites of insects belonging to the genus Culicoides, specifically, biting midges, gnats, and flies. Although not life threatening, IBH can be a serious issue for equines that react to these tiny, bloodsuckers. As the heat, and thus insect activity, ramps up in the mid-south, horse owners and caregivers need to be aware of the signs of IBH as well as ways to combat it.

IBH begins with a simple insect bite. The saliva of these insects then causes an allergic reaction at the bite site, and for some horses, extreme hypersensitivity at the site. Pruritus, or intense itching, then follows. You may notice shifting fence posts or round pen panels as your horse tries to satisfy the constant itching. Patches of rubbed off hair may stand out on trees in the pasture. The ears, belly, and topline (especially at the base of the tail) are commonly affected areas. If

Although it may be a struggle to fight IBH this summer, there is hope for those equestrians who own or ride horses suffering from this miserable condition. With your veterinarian’s help, a combative plan can be put into action. First, you may try a high-quality barrier cream. An antihistamine and/or corticosteroid containing topical ointment may provide your horse with some relief.

Another option to fight IBH is the use of mesh fly sheets

and fly boots. These provide a physical barrier to keep biting insects off your equines. A fly sheet sprayed with insect repellant can offer an extra layer of protection. Remember: these options can have drawbacks as well. Some horses may become overheated while wearing a fly sheet in the summer months. Other horses’ skin may become even more irritated due to the rubbing of the fly sheet across sleek skin. If you do use fly sheets or fly boots this summer, be sure to remove them regularly and assess your horse for any areas of irritation these products may cause. Fly boots on the hind legs should be checked daily, as they can catch manure.

You may also consider combating biting insects from the inside out. Research shows equine diets supplemented with plant-based omega-3 fatty acids can decrease the inflammatory response. Feeding flaxseed may be associated with a significant decrease in reactivity to the Culicoides’ saliva as well. Targeted anti-inflammatory supplements are also on the market for horses with specific allergies and IBH.

Top-dressing your horse’s feed with apple cider vinegar (ACV) can also serve as a natural insect deterrent. Depending on the horse’s weight, try feeding ¼-½ cup of ACV daily. Dilute the vinegar with water, 50/50 and add to your horse’s usual feed. You can also drizzle ACV over the hay ration. Daily ingestion of ACV increases the level of thiamine (vitamin B1) excreted through the horse’s skin. In turn, this discourages all types of biting insects, including flies and mosquitoes. As always, check with your veterinarian before making any changes to your horse’s feeding routine.

If you have tried all the suggestions above and suspect

your horse suffers from IBH, Megan Hunt, DVM, of Cornerstone Equine recommends having your horse allergy tested. If extreme hypersensitivity is detected through this testing, a serum can be created by a lab which is then used to treat your horse, via injection, in an attempt to adjust the horse’s immune system to tolerate the problem-causing allergens. The lab Dr. Hunt utilizes, Nextmune, even has regional-specific panels, which can specifically pinpoint which insects here in the mid-south are plaguing your equine.

For about six months a low concentration of the specific immunologic serum is given to your horse at an increased frequency until a maintenance level is reached. Then your horse will receive one injection per month for up to five years, depending on the horse and severity of its allergies. While not curable, Dr. Hunt explains the goal of these injections is to be able to treat equine allergies with “less medication and make the treatment more manageable.”

Joint Health

By Alicia Johnson

Joint health is probably on mid-south equestrians’ minds as we find ourselves in the middle of show season. With all the variables that come into play while preparing for a show, one most horse owners and riders focus on is keeping their equines sound.

Dr. Mark Akin, DVM, advises equestrians to exercise this basic rule of thumb when it comes to joint health: “Know what is normal for your horse.” He states all horses cannot be expected to have the same anatomy. Certain bumps, lumps, and swellings can be normal for some horses- perhaps indications of a previous injury. However, being able to convey your horse’s “normal” to your veterinarian, farrier, or trainer is of utmost importance, according to Dr. Akin. Being proactive in your horse’s care is another way to hopefully keep your horse sound throughout the show season. One way to do this, as Dr. Akin suggests, is schedule a performance exam with your veterinarian every four to six months, “just to stay on top of any existing issues and get in front of any potential issues that may be brewing.” This allows the owner and, if possible, the trainer to discuss any specific issues or concerns with the vet. Past exam findings can be compared with the current, and all the “check engine lights,” as Dr. Akin calls them, can be proactively examined. These include “abnormalities in flexions, palpations, or locomotion,” Dr. Akin states.

Arena footing can also be a concern when it comes to joint health. “Different disciplines require different footings,” Dr. Akin says. “Cutting horses like it deeper. Hunters like it firmer. Reiners and Barrel Horses are somewhere in between,” he explains. However, regardless of what discipline you show in, “footing too deep or too muddy can lead to a number of soft tissue issues,” according to Dr. Akin.

What warrants a call to the veterinarian this show season? Lameness that does not go away with rest after two to three days, according to Dr. Akin, while “non-weight bearing lameness is an emergency.” If an issue arises at a show, Dr. Akin advises you to speak with the show vet if needed, however, keep in mind “a thorough performance exam is best done at home, not the show.”

As far as supplements for general soundness throughout show season goes, Dr. Akin typically does not recommend a lot; however, if an equine athlete has a specific issue there may be supplements to help. For equines who need a joint supplement, his favorite is Adequan- a seven-dose series every six months. Being a systemic medication, Adequan, and others in this class, “aid in not only protecting cartilage but stimulating new cartilage growth.”

For horses with early onset arthritis, Dr. Akin recommends serial radiographs at 4-6 month intervals to

monitor its progression. He uses multiple preventative measures with a plethora of treatments when it comes to arthritis. An Orthobiologic or Polyacrylamide Gel allows Dr. Akin “to not only ease discomfort in the joint, but to achieve this without the use of steroids, which offer short term relief but can eventually lead to cartilage breakdown when not used appropriately.” Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, play a role in acute joint trauma and, when used properly, can also decrease the acute onset of degenerative arthritis, according to Dr. Akin.

For equine drug tests this show season, different breeds will fall under specific drug rules. Dr. Akin advises you to check with your horse’s breed orga-

nization or contact USEF, FEI, AQHA, etc. A wise equestrian is familiar with equine drug testing rules.

When it comes to keeping your horse’s joints healthy this show season, Dr. Akin urges you to contact your veterinarian “if something just doesn’t feel right.” He suggests videoing the concern if possible and sending it to the vet- he or she “will appreciate being able to see exactly what you are seeing pre-visit,” he states. A watchful eye on your part combined with proactive care from both the veterinarian and farrier can help keep your horse sound throughout show season.

Tom “Chopper” Taylor has had his hands in the dirt for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Tunica, Miss., as the son of a cotton, soybean, and rice farmer, he was always helping around the farm. As he grew older, he learned how to operate tractors, backhoes, and other farm equipment. Chopper went to a small school in the Delta and recalls thinking, “I can’t wait to get out of here.”

Upon graduating high school, Chopper attended Mississippi State University and obtained a degree in Industrial Technology. Carrying on with his background of working in the dirt, he continued to do “farm boy stuff,” such as leveling, terracing, and cleaning out ditches, when home on collage breaks to pay for his expenses.

After college, while holding roles as both a plant manager and production manager, Chopper says, “I never really got away from the dirt moving aspect of my life.” He continued to do side jobs, like spreading gravel and putting in culverts, in addition to working a full-time job in the manufacturing industry.

After the economic collapse in 2008, Chopper landed in Memphis and became the General Manager of a burial vault company for ten years. Danny Phillip of Brantley Phillips Funeral Home in Hernando, Miss., needed a grave digger and Chopper took the job. He bought a mini excavator and trailer and, un-

Behind The Business

TaylorMade Arenas

By Alicia Johnson

knowingly at the time, was subtly starting up Taylor Planting Company.

Taylor Planting Company was built as Chopper continued to work on the side. This side work “very rapidly escalated.” Someone would call and ask for him to cut down trees; someone else might need a retaining wall installed. Pretty soon his phone was ringing all the time with requests for side jobs- while he was at work. As Chopper’s wheels began to turn, he realized it would be nice to work for himself and get away from the negative connotation of working as a gravedigger.

A self-described “outgoing person,” Chopper felt like he could be successful turning all these side jobs into a self-owned business. In early 2019, with the full support of his wife, Courtney, Chopper turned in his notice and officially began Taylor Planting Company.

Kim Clark of Eads, Tenn., founder of Memphis Eventing, needed a pond filled and retaining wall built, so she contacted Taylor Planting Company. Chopper considers Kim “the pivotal person in my career that introduced me to arenas.” Not only did she introduce him, she also helped advise him on what footing different disciplines desire. Many equestrians have varying opinions as to what they consider good footing. Chopper’s solution to this is to “match the customers’ needs and riding style with their opinion of what is

good footing.”

After working with Kim, Chopper was called to revamp Amy Peeler’s arena, and, according to him, “From there it just snowballed.” He and his crew built three show-quality arenas and a full schooling cross country course at Panther Creek Stables in Nesbit, Miss., in 2021. In fact, Chopper’s wife, Courtney, affectionately refers to Kim, Amy, Mylissa Horrocks, and Kirby Floyd as his “horse ladies” who helped Chopper see the need to branch into yet another realm of business.

In keeping with the theme of working with dirt, TaylorMade Arenas was now in business. Chopper’s small crew consists of Dalton Rayman, his foreman who has been with him from day one, and Chase Long, equipment operator. Chopper insists they work so well and quickly together because they’ve known each other for so long. The TaylorMade Arena crew prides itself on “providing the customer with absolutely what they want and need.” They don’t cut corners. They’re efficient. They provide quality work “the old school way.” The crew doesn’t just build or improve arenas and walk away; they will be back for that first ride in it, or to help groom the arena. They always check back in.

Don’t feel like you have to be a commercial farm or barn owner to utilize TaylorMade

Arena’s services. Ninety percenty of Chopper’s business comes from homeowners and hobby farmers who want an arena built or round pen improvement in a tight space. If you have any project on your property you think Chopper and his crew may be able to help you with, you can email him at taylorplantingcompany@yahoo.com.

Chopper and his crew want the customer to experience how easy they can make things. He says, “When they call us, they won’t have to call anyone else. We take care of all groundwork, driveways, barn foundations, irrigation, fencing, etc.” One project always leads to another for the guys at TaylorMade Arenas. He is currently three to six months booked out, and has upcoming projects in Collierville, Eads, Somerville, Nashville, and Nesbit.

Chopper is thrilled his business has “grown exponentially from a chainsaw and mini excavator” to a household name just five years later. He and his crew have currently built 1215 arenas in the mid-south. He says he feels blessed that he always has plenty of work to do and is thankful for the many customers he now calls friends that he has met along the way. In fact, he considers his work fun. Chopper admits, “I always enjoyed working with my hands in the dirt.”

Panther Creek Stables’ Arenas by TaylorMade Arenas

People & Horses

Durrell Smith, Owner and Founder of The Sporting Life Notebook

around, and he actually helped me build my kennels. Those kennels are special to me for that reason. I actually get a meditative peace when I’m cleaning and doing kennel chores.

My wife, Ashley, has also been a great supporter. She allowed me the space to build this and trusted me to do it. My son, Avery, and daughter, August Ann, are very invested kids without even knowing. It was my dream as a parent to see them in this life with the dogs and the horses. It’s cool to see them living it.

4. How do horses fit in your life and business?

I love my dogs. Dogs are my foundation and starting point, but ever since I was a child, I had an alluring connection to horses. That’s just something I always wanted to have, and I’m glad it’s a part of my life. If I could hunt wild birds off horseback with pointers and setters every day, I absolutely would! As athletes, bird dogs really show themselves when there’s a horse involved. The entire experience comes together. Horses opened my eyes to that connection.

The Mid-South Horse Review is pleased to announce its partnership of Hunt & Field with The Sporting Life Notebook.

Durrell Smith, a 33 year old Atlanta, Georgia native, is the owner, founder, and podcast host of The Sporting Life Notebook brand and media company. He is also the co-founder and president of the Minority Outdoor Alliance, a nonprofit organization focused on cultivating inclusivity for a healthier outside. Durrell is also a husband, father, conservationist, artist, brand ambassador, bird dog handler and trainer, horseman, and to say he is an outdoors enthusiast is an understatement.

Q&A:

1. Tell us about your background and what pulled you into the outdoors early on?

When I was just a child, I had a special place I called “The Garden of Eden” in my grandparents’, Annie Jean Smith and Elbert Wells (E.W.) Smith, backyard in Oakland City, Atlanta. There was a forest back there, and I spent a lot of time getting to know the outdoors, just roaming through the trees, building tepees, and stuff like that. My grandad gave me outdoor tools, like shovels and knives, I would use to build things. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, I was connecting with nature on a more spiritual level. I realize now that’s where the wonder came from.

My mom, Chandra Price, grew up in West

End, Atlanta, and she spent a lot of time exposing me and my brother to new things, specifically horseback riding, being in the outdoors, and fine art, that would keep us out of the rough neighborhood she grew up in. These things really stuck with me. My mom passed away when I was only 12, but she set a good foundation for me.

2. Can you briefly describe your businesses? Did you consider any other careers?

I am the owner, founder, and host of The Sporting Life Notebook, a brand and media company that started as a podcast. I’m also the co-founder and President of the Minority Outdoor Alliance. The Sporting Life Notebook’s purpose was founded for the sake of bringing the unlikely to the outdoors. I was an unlikely case myself.

I began in Upland Hunting and Wing Shooting Space and documented my journey along the way, which eventually led to writing for a number of different outdoor magazines. I have since become an Orvis Endorsed Wingshooting Guide and Beretta USA Ambassador.

As far as other careers go, at one point I wanted to be a vet. I was an art teacher for 7 years. Teaching was a revealing experience, a great experience, a noble experience, but not for me long-term. Throughout my time teaching I was building The Gun Dog Notebook that evolved into The Sporting Life Notebook, detailing the lifestyle I’ve built and developed.

3. Who has supported you throughout this journey?

As I mentioned, my mom, Chandra, and my grandparents were huge supporters of all my work. My grandfather, E. W., is still

I have a 15.3hh, 10 year old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding named Bossman. He’s a trail horse; he’s my buddy; he’s a good dude. I greet him every morning and try to find time to ride in the evenings before I pick the kids up. My new Stubben saddle makes me want to ride even more!

5. Can you share why you feel it’s so important to get others outdoors?

First, conservation. We have to take care of this planet. Land, water, and habitat conservation all come together. The more hands on deck, more people outside equals more money, more activity, more engagement to preserve our landscape, improve it, and leave it better than we found it. Getting people outdoors creates, for me, ownership. We can’t really talk about making changes

to the environment if we aren’t connected to it.

Secondly, to create a gateway, an opportunity to not dictate what the outdoors are for someone else, but to let them figure it out for themselves. Once they figure it out for themselves, they’ll become greater and more avid members. It looks different for everyone. My engagement and investment are my dogs and horse; that satisfies the greater purpose for me.

My greatest focus is bringing the unlikely to the outdoors. I want to create gateways for people to recognize how to do it, where to do it, how to do it safely, and to feel comfortable in that experience.

6. Anything else you would like to share? Any advice?

Do your due diligence and inspire. Animals inspire us. We should approach each other with the same type of carefulness and caution we would approach a horse we don’t know: with respect and a certain type of boundary and reverence for who that person is and what they bring to the table.

I want to use my platform not only to expand the Field Trial community, but to get new people in, unlikely participants, and we can do that through Hunt & Field magazine. We can inspire people to not only subscribe to the magazine, but participate and engage in the culture and traditions of the Sporting South. Through Field Trials, bird dogs, and horses, we can get people engaged.

To find out more about Durrell Smith and The Sporting Life Notebook, visit him on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or at TheSportingLifeNotebook.com. You can also see him in person at the Minority Outdoor Alliance Festival in McKinney Roughs Nature Park in Cedar Creek, Texas, October 13-14th. Tickets are on sale now at MinorityOutdoorAlliance.org.

The Germantown Charity Horse Show’s Economic Impact

By Lauren Pigford Abbott, Publisher and Owner

Germantown, Tenn., has long been known as a quaint, small city right outside of Memphis. Anyone who has grown up or lives in the area immediately associates Germantown with horses, especially during the month of June. For 74 years horses have made their way to the heart of Germantown, following the painted horse shoes on Poplar Avenue that lead to the Germantown Charity Show Grounds. Upwards of 700 horses attend the multi-breed show each year. Along with the horses come trainers, riders, grooms, feeders and a slew of barn friends, family members and a huge crowd of spectators from the surrounding community.

The Germantown Charity Horse Show is one of the largest multi-breed shows in the nation. It earned its designation as a US Equestrian Federation Heritage Competition, one of only 31 Shows across the nation to earn the designation. According to the US Equestrian Federation’s website, “the designation of a USEF Heritage Competition is reserved for competitions that have been established for a long period of time and have made substantial contributions toward the development and promotion of the sport, both within the broader community, by achieving, maintaining and promoting the equestrian ideals of sportsmanship and competition.”

GCHS was established by a group of longtime horse friends from the Germantown community who were WWII Veterans. Horses have been at the heart of the show since the beginning and what became a way for friends to gather and celebrate their horses turned into a nationally recognized competition for a variety of breeds and disciplines where Equestrian Olympians such as Melanie Smith Taylor, Mac Cone, Laura Kraut, and Margie Engle either

competed in their first classes on their ponies, or came to compete in The $25,000 Grand Prix of Germantown.

Every year GCHS celebrates the horse with divisions for Hunter/Jumpers, Carriage Driving horses and ponies, Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, American Saddlebreds, Gypsy Vanners, Paso Finos and more. As exhibitors and competitors come together during a week of competition for a diversity of breeds and disciplines, the economic impact the show has on the community helps fuel Germantown’s economy and charitable contributions to Non-Profit Organizations.

Kindred Place has been the charity GCHS has supported and sponsored for the last 23 years. Kindred Place began in 1984 to help prevent child abuse, and its mission is to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect by replacing abusive and violent behavior with effective parenting skills. Since 1999 GCHS has raised over $700,000 for the charity. Aside from the charitable contributions GCHS focuses on raising for Kindred Place, GCHS brings about $1 million into the city each year.

That revenue directly supports the show grounds year round. However, show managers, ground’s crew men and women, judges, photographers, a variety of vendors from retail clothing and gift stores, restaurants, food trucks, equestrian gear and saddlery products, small businesses and hotels are all positively impacted throughout the week of the show. Exhibitors have come from as many as 27 states for the weeklong competition and spectators fill the arena for six straight nights reserving box seats and nightly tickets. College and professional sports have long been known to have positive impacts on communities’

2022 $25,000 Grand Prix of Germantown Winner, Brittany Kasprack on Sarabi.

Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

economy, but at times, people outside of the horse industry do not understand nor realize how much horses impact the economy.

According to the American Horse Council Foundation’s National Economic Impact Study, “the United States horse industry contributes significantly to the American economy. The horse industry contributes approximately $50 billion in direct economic impact to the U.S. economy, and has a direct employment impact of 988,394 jobs. Additionally, the industry itself contributes $38 billion in direct wages, salaries, and benefits.

From those direct effects, the horse industry’s contribution ripples out into other sectors of the economy. Adding these ripple effects results in an estimate of the total contribution of the horse industry to the U.S. economy of $122 billion and a total employment impact of 1.7 million jobs.”

There are an estimated 7.2 million horses in the U.S. Their breakdown of use ranges from 3.1 M for recreation, 1.2 M for performance and show, 1.2 M for racing, and 537K for working. Aside from the direct expenses tied to the care of horses like nu-

trition, health care, and overall maintenance needs, where to house horses is a huge factor for the U.S. economy. The American Horse Council Foundation estimates that 32 million acres of land are owned specifically for horses and another 49 million acres are leased for horse-related use generating a large economic impact of real estate activity.

The state of Kentucky has maximized the equine industry’s economic impact better than any state in the nation. Known as the “Horse Capital of the World,” Kentucky’s tourism efforts are directly tied to the horse and specifically Thoroughbred Racing. The Horse is branded on all Kentucky Tourism marketing efforts and it has embraced it as driving its economic development.

The City of Germantown also focuses on driving spectators to GCHS each year. Flags, horse statues, art, and digital social media all promote the show year round, and as it gets closer to June the announcement is made that “The Horses are Coming.” Whether it is a first time exhibitor traveling from out of state, a third or fourth generation GCHS member who has never missed a show, a resident who lives next door and can hear the PC each night, or a first time spectator, GCHS leaves a lasting impression on every horse and person it touches.

The view of tents rising in front of the show grounds, the music played while the Tennessee Walking Horses show at a Running Walk, the flashing sign that displays “Rack On” as the Racking Horses race around the arena, the smell of funnel cakes and cotton candy filling the air, and the eruption from the crowd as a Grand Prix horse and rider go clear and beat its competitor by less than a second are imprinted in hearts. These memories keep exhibitors and spectators returning to Germantown the first full week of June year after year. The Germantown Charity Horse Show gives so much back to the community, to Kindred Spirit, young pony riders, future pony riders, first time Grand Prix riders, and the families and generations who keep it going year after year. The economic impact and legacy it has instilled in Germantown and the neighboring communities will forever be felt in the Mid-South. The Germantown Charity Horse Show will take place June 6-10. Nightly general admission tickets can be purchased at the gate each night. Tuesday is open to the public and Wednesday- Saturday tickets are $5.00 per person and children under 3 are free. More information on GCHS can be found on their website: www.gchs.org.

“the horse industry’s contribution ripples out into other sectors of the economy. Adding these ripple effects results in an estimate of the total contribution of the horse industry to the U.S. economy of $122 billion and a total employment impact of 1.7 million jobs.”

- American Horse Council Foundation

Top Photos L- R: 1. Lead Line Class, 2. Tenn. Walking Horse Flag Carrier during opening ceremonies, 3. Joanna Wilburn driving “Berry”. Photos by Tom & Nancy Brannon

Section Sponsored By:

Young Riders

Julia Whitehead: Taking Every Opportunity

By Alicia Johnson

Seventeen-year-old Junior rider, Julia Whitehead, is no stranger to hard work. In fact, graduating from high school early, taking an off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) to the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover, being a working student at Robyn Miller’s Point Pleasant Farm in Mount Pleasant, Miss., and putting 120 days on an unwanted and untrained rescue horse for the Safe Horse Project’s Heart of the Horse Expo and Trainers Challenge are some of the amazing accomplishments she has achieved so far in her young equestrian career.

Crediting her mother, Suzanne Whitehead, for introducing her to the equine world just four short years ago, along with the support of her father, Rick, and sister, Lilly, Julia has become a prestigious rider and trainer quite quickly. She is an extremely versatile rider who has experience with several breeds, including quarter horses, warmbloods, mules, and mustangs and has ridden and shown in a variety of disciplines, both English and Western. Exposure to a couple of dude ranches led Julia to realize she wanted to pursue riding. Starting with a leased horse, Julia quickly progressed and eventually found a perfect partner in her

mare, Holly.

Julia has trained Holly, a thirteen year old buckskin quarter horse mare, from the basics to where she is now: an outstanding, impeccably trained all-around horse. Actively competing in the Volunteer Ranch Horse Association (VolRHA), in various ranch classes, ranch versatility, cow work, and obstacle competitions, Julia and Holly have received several high-point awards and titles; her bedroom walls are covered with numerous belt buckles, ribbons, and awards. Transforming Holly from a greenbroke pasture pet into a high-point horse while yet a kid herself is, perhaps, one of Julia’s greatest accomplishments thus far.

When asked which award she is most proud of, Julia states, “I am most proud of winning the Volunteer Ranch Horse Association’s year end high-point award in the youth division for 2 years in a row. I really enjoy competing in ranch horse and ranch versatility competitions because I love the working Western style of horsemanship and the tasks of a working ranch horse that these competitions are meant to reflect. I love the ranch versatility events, including trail, reining, cow work, and ranch riding, because of the wide array of skills and the partnership it takes from a horse and rider to be able to compete successfully in a variety of events.”

Going along with the theme of versatility, Julia also enjoys trail riding and has shown in a number of extreme obstacle trail competitions. She says, “I have been successful in several of these, including 2 high-point awards at the Southern Equine Expo this spring in Murfreesboro, TN: one with my mare, Holly, and the other with my yearling mule filly, Indie, in the in-hand trail. I also enjoy dabbling in classical dressage with all of my horses to improve their balance and posture, and I love working at liberty with all of my horses, whether it is on the ground or riding bridleless.”

Julia enjoys working with all kinds of horses, but says she is “especially drawn to the ones who are green, untrained, or labeled as ‘problem’ horses.” This is evidenced by the enormous amount of dedication Julia poured into retraining Lee’s Luck (known as “Leland”), the OTTB she took to the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Make-

over last year. The amount of dedication and motivation it took for Julia to challenge herself “by transitioning a horse straight off the track to a new and quite different career” is praiseworthy in and of itself.

Just last month, the extensiveness of Julia’s equine knowledge was gracefully shown as she competed at the Safe Horse Project’s Heart of the Horse Challenge with Merci, a rescued quarter pony who could barely tolerate being touched at the start of the challenge in January. Over 120 days Julia was able to transform Merci into an impressively trained horse who could even be ridden over obstacles, such as the teeter totter and through water, trail ridden, and easily trailered.

Instilling the confidence required for Merci to achieve the level of greatness she did is no easy feat. Countless hours of riding and groundwork were put in, and her hard work paid off; Merci was one of the highest-receiving bids at the Safe Horse Project’s auction at the conclusion of the challenge. She and Julia swept the entire awards assembly, winning first place in every class possible, including Health and Ground Manners, Horsemanship and Trail, and Freestyle. In fact, Julia and Merci walked away as the Heart of the Horse High Point Champions. Spectators agree watching Julia’s passion for horses combined with her natural horsemanship training techniques was truly a

form of living art.

Clearly naturally talented when it comes to training horses, Julia credits the polishing of her equine education in horsemanship to working with Robyn Miller, Trainer and Owner of Point Pleasant Farm. Robyn combines her background in classical hunter/ jumper training with a natural horsemanship approach. Julia is a working student four days a week, helping with groundwork and riding the horses in training, as well as feeding and barn chores.

When asked about her hobbies outside of horses, Julia states she enjoys “spending time with my family and friends as well as playing the guitar and learning about music.” As far as what the future holds for this talented young lady, Julia plans to start classes at the University of Memphis in the fall. “Another goal I have for the future is to continue to learn and grow in my horsemanship by studying and learning different styles and disciplines of riding,” she explains.

Julia’s advice for other young riders is, “Always remember to have fun with your horses! Whether you are showing at a top level, or just riding in your backyard, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the time with and your relationship with your horse. Never stop learning and be sure to take every opportunity you can to learn and grow.”

Julia Whitehead with “Holly”. Photo by Melanie Sutton, Kindred Spirit Photography

Julia Whitehead competing “Leland” at the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover. Photo By Jamie Wilkins, Capture All Moments Photography

The Shelby County 4-H program is not horsing around this year as the program is expanding into another part of the county. This past May, Agent Kyla Szemplinski, new club leader, Ashlee Pigford, and new club volunteer, Lilien Rostig, met with excited youth and parents at Meadowthorpe Farm, located in Collierville, Tenn., to discuss everything about the farm’s newly established 4-H club: Mid-South 4-H.

Agent Szemplinski explained what 4-H is, the benefits of the educational program with its hands-on learning approaches, projects and competitions youth will be able to pursue, and, of course, the opportunities the Tennessee 4-H Horse Program can bring to horse enthusiast members.

The New Mid-South 4-H Club

Shelby County Extension is excited the program is reaching more parts of Shelby County and so many youth and adult leaders want to bring positive youth development to their neighborhoods and community.

The newly established Mid-South 4-H club has its next meeting scheduled on June 18 at 3 PM at Meadowthorpe Farm. MidSouth 4-H is open to new members, so if you are interested in attending the next meeting or joining contact club leader: Ashlee Pigford at manager@meadowthorpefarm.com or 901-210-5920. If you are interested in learning more about 4-H and the available clubs in the Shelby County area please contact UT TSU Shelby County Extension office at 901-752-1207 for more information.

Besides learning more about horses, members of Meadowthorpe Farm’s MidSouth 4-H club will have opportunities to pursue a multitude of outdoor learning activities, such as gardening, pollinators, photography, wildlife and judging amongst many other projects youth can pursue.

Throughout its first year, Mid-South 4-H club will elect its first officers, meet with adult educational experts in their respective fields, experience hands-on learning opportunities throughout Shelby County, participate in community service projects, expand on their project knowledge and applications of what they learned about their respective projects and compete in contests hosted by Tennessee 4-H program.

Programs on agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development. University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating, UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

Greener Pastures

Urban Harvest: Let’s Grow Together

By Alicia Johnson

got out of it in 2017. He also has a background in carpentry, working with his hands “a lot,” and he has also worked as a general contractor for a roofing company. He has “an artistic eye,” which would come to play a pivotal role in Urban Harvest.

Adam has worked in carpentry as well and home remodeling since he was eighteen years old. In fact, he even owned his own remodeling business. He has also worked in the food industry, retail management, and real estate.

Good friends for over twenty years, Heath and Adam also both became first-time dads around the same time. These new babies further inspired them to want to live healthier lives themselves and help their children lead healthy lives as well. Heath specifically says, “I wanted my daughter to have a healthier way of life and wanted to figure out how to create that for her.”

Both Heath and Adam having similar backgrounds and a “desire to feed their families healthy foods,” got their wheels turning. As Urban Harvest began to conceptualize, they sought out collaborators and sources of inspiration for their business model. They realized, “It is possible to create more self-sustainable systems.”

Urban Harvest is a self-described “Grow-Op.” Based in Memphis,Tenn., and serving all of the Mid-South region, Urban Harvest is focused on helping people grow organic food and networking communities for a sustainable living. The complete chaos of 2020 pushed founder, Heath Harrison, and co-founder, Adam Watson, to want to live a healthier life by becoming aware of where their food orig-

inated. Both Heath and Adam began changing their eating habits, moving away from “toxic processed foods and the big [food] industry” in general. Once they saw and felt how these shifts in eating patterns brought about changes in their bodies and lives, they knew they had to help others make the same changes.

Heath worked in the food industry for twenty years, but

The first step was building raised garden beds together. They tested their ideas for about a year before officially going into business. Adam even created a homestead on his property; he built his own chicken coop and greenhouse and planted rows of vegetables and a few fruit trees as well.

After brewing on the idea for years, Urban Harvest was

officially launched in December of 2022. Adam and Heath brought Lilien Rostig on board with them. Lilien is a photographer, Outreach Specialist, Project Coordinator, and Garden Consultant. She is a Memphis native with a M.A. in Earth Sciences and has “a passion for bringing people closer to nature,” she says. The Urban Harvest crew continues to build their team and is “focused on connecting and finding others who want to grow together.”

Involvement with Urban Harvest begins with a consultation to determine the client’s food growing goals and growing space. This is the part where founder Heath’s artistic eye comes into play. He states he “wants to enhance the aesthetic of [client’s] yards by installing more places to grow food within the space” available. The crew at Urban Harvest can help clients achieve their gardening goals by providing services to those who want to start and maintain their own personal food gardens.

Specifically, these services include determining garden bed sizings, building greenhouse structures or chicken coops, creating impeccable spacing layouts and full installments for clients, providing proprietary soil blends, providing maintenance service packages, and developing food networking systems. Clients can choose what they want to plant, receive Urban Harvest’s expertise on planting recommendations for Zone 7 (the Mid-South’s regional hardiness zone), customize their own edible landscapes, and, perhaps most importantly, learn as they grow.

Urban Harvest utilizes “companion planting techniques

to create healthy, high-yield gardens, focusing on seasonal vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, and native flowering plants.” Organic and heirloom plants are sourced locally from Angel Wings Greenhouse in Byhalia, Miss. Installation time is about four weeks, on average, from the consultation date to actual customized garden design installation, depending on the size of the project.

Heath explains, “We take the hard work away for most beginners who want help building a food garden. We are there along the way and want to develop a network for local food growers and make an impact in the community, especially for the next generation.”

Anyone can get involved with Urban Harvest: homeowners within the city limits and suburbs, property developers, other farmers, restaurants, churches, schools, youth and outreach programs, equine therapy centers, community centers, nursing homes, local governments- literally, anyone. To become an Urban Harvest gardener, all you need to do is grow your own food for your family and be motivated to grow excess food that can then be sourced back into the community through farmer’s markets and charities. To learn more about this the Urban Harvest crew encourages you to contact them through the following: https://urbanharvest.life/ call/text: 901-430-2712

Email: GrowTogether@UrbanHarvest.Life

Urban Harvest is passionate about “spreading awareness of the mental and physical health benefits of gardening,

changing the way people think about food, and helping people sustain successful harvests.” Whether you’re new to gardening or already enjoy it, the crew at Urban Harvest can help you increase your yield this summer.

The Safe Horse Project’s Heart of the Horse 2023 Competition Zone

The Heart of the Horse 2023 Challenge was held in Jackson, Miss., May 19th and 20th. A 120 day competition culminated at the Kirk Fordice Equine Center for this two day event. Over fifteen horses and trainers competed in the Youth, Amateur, and Professional trainers divisions. These trainers, along with their equine partners, competed in three classes: Health & Ground Manners, Horsemanship & Trail, and Freestyle. These classes were judged by Cohn Livingston and Mary Miller-Jordan.

On Saturday, May 20th, the Trainers Challenge Awards were presented, followed by a drawing to win a Polaris Ranger 570. The event concluded with a Safe Horse Auction of all the Challenge horses. Eight of these horses were adopted and found their forever homes.

A tremendous amount of work and hundreds of hours of time went into creating this wonderful event. Thanks to everyone at The Safe Horse Project and Mississippi Horse Rescue for making it all come together.

Congratulations to Madison Brown for being Overall Fan Favorite Champion

Amateur Division - Julia Whitehead and Merci : 1st Health and Ground Manners, 1st Horsemanship Trail, 1st: Freestyle Amateur Overall Champion, & Overall High Point Champion

The Pro Division Champions : Overall - Betsey Munday & Petra | Reserve Champion - Damien De Castro & Dallas | Third Place Champion - Audrey Liddle & Pilgrim

Youth Division - Lexi Sones and Chief: 1st in Health and Ground Manners, 2nd Horsemanship Trail, 2nd Freestyle, & Youth Overall Champion

Youth Division - Christina Figueroa and Rapper

MTSU Stock Horse Team Took Top 5 Overall and a Reserve National Champion Title in Texas

The MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University) Stock Horse Team took six riders to Amarillo, Texas and Sweetwater, Texas to compete in two separate national championship competitions April 17-22nd. In Amarillo the team found success competing against over 150 riders from over 14 different states across the country at the Hughes Trailer National Intercollegiate Ranch & Stock Horse Association National Championship show. The team clenched 5th place overall in the competition after two go-rounds, competing in ranch trail, ranch riding, cow work, and reining. “This is nearly an entirely new team I took this year.” said Andrea Rego, coach of the team. “Most of which have never competed in ranch events prior to MTSU. I am so proud of each of their efforts to rise to the occasion and represent Tennessee so well.” Highlights in Amarillo include senior, JoBeth Scarlett, scoring an 80 in the Limited Ranch Riding, claiming the top spot in the class for go-round 2. Additionally, Scarlett and senior horse science major, Allyssa Kraker, were top 20 overall in their divisions for the event out of 60 riders. After Amarillo, TX the team took a drive southward

to Sweetwater, TX to defend their national championship title in the American Stock Horse Association. This time they claimed a reserve national champion title and took home top honors individually as well. Highlights of the event include: JoBeth Scarlett & Twentyeleventwister were National AllAround Champions in the Non-Pro division, Kara Brown & Citas QT Sweetheart National were National All-Around Champions in the Limited Non-Pro Division, Audrey Ferrie & BC Pennys from Tari were National All-Around Champions in the Novice Division, Allyssa Kraker & Lady in Reeboks were Reserve National All-Around Champions in the Novice Division, Kenlee West & Smarty Got Spooked were 3rd Overall in the Green Horse Division, and Cory Elks was 3rd Overall in the Novice Division. “We could not do this 2,000 mile trip each year without our dedicated students, supportive parents, and amazing sponsors. The future of this team is bright, and we can’t wait for next year.” said Andrea Rego

To learn more about the MTSU Stock Horse Team, email coach Andrea at andrea. rego@mtsu.edu

Team Picture – Taken by Cait Russell Photography

Left to Right (Kara Brown, Audrey Ferrie, JoBeth Scarlett, Cory Elks, Kenlee West, Allyssa Kraker)

JoBeth Scarlett Picture – Taken by Cait Russell Photography JoBeth Scarlett performing a sliding stop on Twentyeleventwister

Ranch Horse

The Volunteer Ranch Horse Association May Salute Our Troops Show

The Volunteer Ranch Horse Association held its “May Salute Our Troops” show on May 19-21 at the Shelby Showplace Arena in Memphis, Tenn. This year they had a special tribute on Sunday which was presented by the Coyote Run Drill Team. VOLRHA has two shows remaining for this year: September 22-24 and November 3-5. Gary Cox was the photographer. You can see more from the VOLRHA competition on his website: https:// www.gcphotoproductions.com/Horse-Shows-2023/519-23-VOLRHA-May-

Photos By Gary Cox

Ranch Horse

Gould Ranch Horse Show Series

Photos and Content By Paul Nolte

Gould Ropin Horses and Arena in Moscow, Tenn., kicked off their Ranch Horse Show Series on Saturday, May 13th. This series of ranch shows have five timed events all focused on the horse and riders ability of working cattle. The five events include fencing, calf doctoring, herding, range sorting and team sorting. Each event has five different divisions based on riders ability ranging from open to novice and youth riders. The event is a family oreinted show that allow cowboys and cowgirls to practice their herding and sorting skills in a friendly competition setting.

Gilliland Farms

Top Qualit y Horse Hay

JLJ Productions Barrel Race held at Roger Bell Memorial Arena in Caraway, Ark.

Photos By Gary Cox

Marketplace Classifieds

BOARDING

Hillside Stables – Desoto Co – Bill and PK Theobald have been professionally caring for horses for 23+ years. Spend time with your horse while full board covers all the daily chores. Horses fed 2x daily, stalls cleaned daily, same sex turn out. $450 per month. Happy, healthy horses – friendly, knowledgeable people. Covered arena, round pen, lighted outdoor riding area and wooded trails! Check us out on Facebook, website: www.HillsideStables.wordpress.com or call 901/857-7500.

Premier Horse Boarding in Fayette county. Full/pasture board. Retired horses are welcome. Private pastures, grained 2x daily w/senior feed & Bermuda hay. All weather outdoor arena w/lights. 50+acres of riding, lots of additional amenities. Look us up on FB. Blues City Warmbloods Dana 901-331-3500

Boarding at beautiful WHITE OAK FARM: Located on 40 acres in northeast Shelby County at 10023 Rosemark Rd. Full Board $400/month. Board includes stall cleaning/shavings and morning/evening feedings.

Numerous amenities include large stalls with windows, stall fans, heated waterers, turnout pastures, lighted outdoor arena or inside barn riding, crosstie area with hot/ cold wash rack, fly spray system, Bermuda hay grown and baled onsite. Gated facility with owners and farm manager living on property. Call Sammy 901833-3075.

Nice friendly barn located in Cordova/ Memphis, TN. Located 15 minutes from Germantown, Bartlett, East Memphis and Shelby Farms.

Owners are on site. Retired or Aged horse’s welcome! High dry barn, trails, and small arena. Call Rob (901) 359-3341

Lakeland 14 stall barn for rent. Wash rack, feed/tack room and hay storage. $1,500/month for the entire barn or $125/month per stall (3 stall minimum). Non public use only.

Nice barn apartment for rent: $700 a month. 901 338 9686.

Lakeland 3 acre pasture with 3 stall barn for rent. 2 horses maximum. $250/month. 901 338 9696

EMPLOYEMENT

White Oak Farm: Full Time job opening for a hard working individual with experience around horses.

Job duties include cleaning stalls, feeding horses, bedding stalls, cutting grass, weed eating, operating farm equipment, stacking hay and everything involved with caring for 25 + horses and 40 acres.

HORSE TRAINING

Training your horse, the correct & gentle way. Desensitizing & teaching respect on the ground; trust without fear. We mostly use the Buck Brannaman training methods. Exc. References. Grained 2 x day w/ Bermuda hay & private pastures. $800 Mo. Michael Garner 901-857-8060 Blues City Warmbloods on FB

SADDLE REPAIR

SADDLE & TACK REPAIR:

Van’s Leather Craft. Custom gun holsters, belts, knife sheaths, photo albums etc. For sale: Used & new saddles and horse health products.

Off Hwy. 309, 1909 Bubba Taylor Rd., Byhalia, MS. (662) 838-6269.

You will be responsible for feeding horses on alternate Sundays. Call 901-833-3075 or 901-458-4314 for details. whiteoakf@ aol.com 10023 Rosemark Rd. Atoka, TN

Horse-drawn carriage drivers needed in Downtown Memphis. We will train. No experience necessary. (901) 496-2128. uptowncarriages.com

Marketplace Business Cards

60 Front St., Suite 3 Rossville , TN 38066

901.401.2208 Of fice Michael@BryanRG.com BryanRG com

MICHAEL BRYAN

BRokER/owNER

901.849.5185 CELL

New Hope Saddles & Tack

750 New Hope Road Ripley, TN 38063 Cell: 731-697-3356

E m a i l : r l a n g l y @ b e l l s o u t h . n e t E m a i l : r l a n g l y @ b e l l s o u t h . n e t Saddles & Tack <> Saddle Repair Custom Leather Work

RALEIGH FEED STORE

FEED * SEED * FERTILIZER * BEDDING 4284 Fayette Rd | Memphis, TN 38128

901-386-0923

Scott Lewis, owner Heather Lewis, mgr find us: We carry

AGRICENTER SHOWPLACE ARENA

http://www.agricenter.org/events/

June 2-4 Lucky Dog Barrel Race

GERMANTOWN CHARITY HORSE SHOW GROUNDS

www.gchs.org (901) 754-0009

June 6-10: Germantown Charity Horse Show

MISSISSIPPI HORSE PARK

Starkville, MS (662)325-0508; (662)325-9350

https://mshorsepark.com/events

June 8-10: District 4-H Horse Show

ROANE STATE EXPO CENTER

http://www.roanestate.edu/?6497-Events-Calendar

June 1-3: Eastern Region 4H

June 9-11: SERHS

June 15-18: TQHA Dogwood Classic

June 24-25: Centerline Western Dressage

June 30- July 2: East TN. Cutting Horse

TENNESSEE MILLER LIVESTOCK CENTER MTSU

Murfreesboro, TN www.mtsu.edu/tmc

June 9-10: BLM Wild Horse & Burro Adoption

TENNESSEE MILLER COLISEUM MTSU

Murfreesboro, TN www.mtsu.edu/tmc

June 1-3: Central Region 4-H Horse Show

June 9-11: TN Pony of Americas Southeast

Regional

June 17: State 4-H Horse Judging Contest

June 23-25: CTDA TN Express & TN Dressage

Horse Show

TRI-STATE EXHIBITION CENTER

Cleveland, TN 423-476-9310

www.tristateexhibitioncenter.org

June 1-3: YEDA Nationals

June 16-18: NBHA

June 23-24: UPHA

June 28-July 1: Cleveland Charity Horse Show

WILLIAMSON COUNTY AG EXPO PARK

Franklin, TN (615) 595-1227

https://www.agexpopark.info/calendar.php

June 22-24: Extreme Mustang Makeover

TENNESSEE HS RODEO ASSOCIATION

(731) 658-5867 http://tnhsra.com

June 9-11: State Finals

June 18-24: NJHFR National Finals

LITTLE BRITCHES RODEO

www.nlbra.com, mslbra.org/schedule

June 3: Brandon, MS

US PONY CLUB

https://www.ponyclub.org/Calendars/Events.

aspx

https://midsouth.ponyclub.org/calendar/ https://deepsouth.ponyclub.org/ https://middletennessee.ponyclub.org/calendar/

June 5-11 Central Championships

June 20-24: Mega Rally

June 23-25: Midsouth Pony Club horse Trials

Calendar of Events

http://extension.msstate.edu/4-h

https://ag.tennessee.edu/AnimalScience/ UTHorse/Pages/Shows.aspx#AnchorTop

June 1-3: Central Region 4-H Horse Show, Murfreesboro, TN

June 8-10: District 4-H Horse Show, Starkville, MS

June 17: State 4-H Horse Judging Contest, Murfreesboro, TN

COWBOY CHURCH

Sarah, MS. 548 Bryant Lane. Bryant Lane Cowboy Church. Info: facebook

Wynne, AR. CR 381. Three Trees Cowboy Church. Info: threetreescowboychurch.com; facebook

Collierville, TN. 1656 N. Col-Arl. Rd. Old West Special Trails. Sunday 10:30 am. Cordova, TN: Houston Levee Cowboy Church: Sundays at 4:30 pm at Houston Levee Community Center, 1801 N. Houston Levee Rd. in Cordova, followed by Open Arena at Circle C Arena next door behind Calvary Church. Visit HoustonLeveeCowboyChurch.com or call 901355-3204 for more information.

HORSE SALES/ADOPTIONS

FIRST SATURDAY: Houston, MS. Triple E Livestock. Tack 10 am. Horses 2 pm. Info: A.J. Ellis 662-401-9760; 662-266-2808

FOURTH SATURDAY: Holly Springs, MS. Marshall County Fairgrounds. Marshall Co. Livestock Exchange. 662-317-9021

FIRST, THIRD, FIFTH FRIDAY: Woodbury Livestock Market, 2403 McMinnville Hwy. Tack 5:30 p.m.; Horses 8 pm. Info: (423) 4478119

FIRST SATURDAY: Hattiesburg, MS. T. Smith Livestock Sales. Tack 10:30 am. Horses 1:30 pm. Info: 601-583-0828

SECOND SATURDAY: Gleason, TN. West TN Auction Barn. 330 Fence Rd. Tack 5:30 pm. Horses 8 pm. Info: Chucky Greenway 731-5718198

SECOND & FOURTH SATURDAY: Carthage, MS. Farmers Livestock Marketing. Tack 1 pm. Horses 5 pm. Info: 601-267-7884; 662-3179021

BARREL RACING

http://www.nbha.com; https://ibra.us/shows/ US-TN-WEST

June 3: MS04 Montgomery County Coliseum, Winona, MS

June 6: Bethel Road Saddle Club, Goodlettsville, TN

June 9: TN04/TN06 Tri-State Exhibition Center, McDonald, TN

June 10: TN02 Southern Middle Tennessee Pavilion, Winchester, TN

June 10: AL06 Carol Hodgson Arena, Bay Minette, AL

June 13: Bethel Road Saddle Club, Goodlettsville, TN

June 16-17: Central KY Ag Center, Liberty, KY

June 17: MS01/02 New Albany, MS

June 24: Circle K Arena and Stables, Summertown, TN

June 24: MS01/02 New Albany, Brandon, MS

June 24: MS07 Lauderdale County Agri Center, Meridian, MS

June 24: AL03 Chambers County Agricultural Center, Lafayette, AL

June 24-25: AR09 Whiskey Ridge, Malvern,

AR

June 27: Bethel Road Saddle Club, Goodlettsville, TN

June 30: MS09 Forrest County Multi-Purpose, Hattiesburg, MS

COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING

www.cmsaevents.com

June 17-18: Smoke Wagon, Williamstown, KY

June 24: Gateway to Summer I, Cookeville, TN

June 25: Gateway to Summer II, Cookeville, TN

CUTTING HORSE

www.nchacutting.com

June 2: NEALCHA Weekend, Rainsville, AL

June 3: Cotton NCHA Days Senior World Tour, Rainsville, AL

June 10: CMCHA Senior World Tour, Lebanon, TN

June 10: Northeast MS CHA June Weekend, Prairie, MS

June 17: 2023 Central MS CHA Show, Forest, MS

June 30: Senior World Tour ETCHA, Harriman, TN

DRESSAGE

www.mid south dressage academy.org, www.TNDressage.com, www.tvdcta.org, kentuckydressageassociation.com, https://sites. google.com/view/greystonedressage/home, https://www.flightlinedressageshows.com

June 3: Symposium with Amelia Newcomb, Fairview, TN

June 10: CTDA Schooling Show, Chapel Hill, TN

June 10- 11: Tom Noone Clinic, MDA Hernando, MS

June 17-18: Summer Solstice Show, MDA Hernando, MS

June 23- 25: CTDA USEF/USDF Recognized Show: The Tennesseean Express, Murfreesboro, TN

EVENTING

http://useventing.com; www.river-glen.com

June 3: Ocala Summer H.T.I, FL

June 3-4: Poplar Place June H.T., GA

June 10-11: River Glen H.T., TN

June 17: Panther Creek Stables ME CT Schooling Show, Nesbit, MS

GAITED HORSES

https://nwha.com, www.sshbea.org, www.walkinghorseowners.com, www.shobaonline.com

June 3-4: WHOA Show Series, Brownsville,KY

June 6-10 Germantown Charity Horse Show, Germantown, TN

June 10: East Tennessee SSH Show, Pikeville, TN

June 16: WHOA Summer Classic, Shelbyville, TN

June 16: Bourbon Co Fair Walking Horse show, Paris, KY

June 17: BPWHA HORSE SHOW, Lebanon, KY

June 17: PWHAT Horse Show, Lewisburg, TN

HUNTER/ JUMPERS

http://wthja.com, www.brownlandfarm.com, www.mthja.com, www.ethja.org www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com

May 31- June 4: Nashville Classic, TN

June 3-4: ETHJA Fox Hollow, Bristol TN

June 3-4: ETHJA Icon Equestrain Center, Friendsville TN

June 10- 11: ETHJA Walnut Grove, Talbot, TN

June 6-10: Germantown Charity Horse Show, Germantown, TN

June 28- July 2: Brownland Farm Summer, Franklin, TN

www.pfha.org, www.tvpfha.com

June 6-10: Germantown Charity Horse Show, Germantown, TN

June 30- July 2: Bluegrass Triple Crown

QUARTER HORSE SHOWS

www.tqha.org, www.mqha.org, www.wtqha. org, www.midsouthquarterhorse.com, facebook Mid-South Breeders

June 3-4: MQHA Summer Shows, Meridian, MS

June 15- 18: TQHA Dogwood Classic, Harriman, TN

www.americanranchhorse.net, www.volrha.com

June 9-11: Southeast Ranch Horse Series, Harriman, TN

June 28- July 8: World Championship Show, Ocala, FL

RODEOS & BULL RIDING

www.ipra-rodeo.com, www.prorodeo.com, www.lonestarrodeocompany.com

June 2-3: NCA/IPRA, Richmond, KY

June 2-3: [A] IPRA/PCA, Shady Dale, GA

June 2-3: NCA/IPRA*, Madisonville, TN

June 9-10: [B] IPRA/NCA* Loudon, TN

June 9-10: NCA/IPRA, Gallatin, TN

June 9-10 LSR/IPRA, Lawrenceburg, TN

June 16-17: [B] IPRA* Senatobia, MS

June 22-24: Rodeo of The Ozarks, Springdale, ARK

ROPING

www.ustrc.com, www.jx2events.com

June 17-18: USTRC North Alabama Championship, Rainsville, AL

Facebook: Ingram Mills Saddle Club. Holly Springs, MS. Marshall Co. Fairgrounds. Cook’s Lake Saddle Club. 4269 N. Watkins,

RANCH HORSE SADDLE CLUB

Memphis, TN. Info: Wes (901) 570-3595. Cookslakesaddleclub.com

Woodstock Cuba Saddle Club. 7211 Woodstock Cuba Rd. Millington, TN. Info: John (901) 4120327. mywcsc.com

TEAM PENNING & RANCH SORTING

www.ustpa.com, www.rsnc.us

Gould Arena. Ranch Sorting. Info: 901-6511145

June 2-3: DJ Cowhorses Show, Forest, MS

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS HERE:

PASO FINO