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Vol 25, No. 7 •November 2025 News You Can Use
DIXON.......PG 8
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Spotlight: Dot Hickman-Rider—A Life Saddled With Love for Horses By Justice Reid under the show ring spotlights. Her love of riding has introduced her to lifelong friends For Dot Hickman-Rider, the rhythm of life has always matched the steady beat and countless shared lessons. One of her favorite memories includes trail rides across of hoofbeats against the ground. Her journey began early—just 18 months old— Land Between the Lakes and Seven Springs, places where the world always felt somewhen she first sat atop a horse. From that moment forward, the spark never what calmer and the trail a little sweeter. faded. Living in the countryside long before screens and technology replaced the Whenever she prepares for a ride, Dot stretches, outdoors, horses became her world. Riding wasn't something she was pushed into; breathes deeply, and bows her head in prayer with a it found her naturally, like destiny saddling up beside her. close friend—asking the Lord for safety and gratiHer very first horse came at age three—a spotted Welsh pony mare with a nototude for another day in the saddle. Riding is more rious attitude. That spirited pony challenged her, taught her grit, and shaped the than a hobby; it’s a relationship, a lifestyle, and in young rider sitting in the saddle. “She made a rider out of me,” Dot recalls, laughmany ways, a calling. ing at memories of her poor mother never knowing what to expect next. It was With nearly six decades of experience, her during those early years that Dot discovered the quiet magic horses carry—their advice for new riders is firm but loving: ability to love without limits and offer peace in a noisy “Green plus green equals black and blue.” world. Horses became her escape, her comfort, and her Simply put—a new rider shouldn't start with a young place to breathe when life grew heavy. horse. Lessons come first; hospital bills are too high to learn Dot has been riding for 57 years, and in that time she the hard way. has had countless horses, but one remains closest to her Patience, she emphasizes, isn't optional—it's survival. A heart—Vigors Mr. VIP, affectionately known as Taco. 1,200-pound animal with its own mind demands respect. Now 26, Taco didn’t start off as a fairytale partner. “He And while some may misunderstand horses as unpredictable honestly tried to kill me a few times,” Dot shares with a or unfeeling, Dot knows better. They have intelligence, heart, smile. But through patience, training, and unshakeable and personality—and when treated right, they give more determination, they built a bond deeper than leather love than many realize. reins or show ribbons. Taco taught her patience, and more Dot also speaks passionately about the realities of importantly, he taught her devotion. horse ownership today. Training barns, she insists, are “Respect, time, and patience,” Dot explains. not the issue—many horses there live better than some “Whipping or yelling only builds fear—not trust.” To children. Instead, she believes irresponsible backyard Dot, horses are a reflection of commitment. Their breeding is a major concern and that breeding should needs come first, because partnership requires sacrirequire knowledge, regulation, and respect for the anifice. Age is never a reason to give up on them. Just as mal. Regarding the opinion that horses should simply be they served faithfully in youth, she believes it’s the "set free," Dot is clear-eyed. Domesticated horses cannot surrider’s responsibility to love and protect them in their vive on their own. Removing shows and responsible training does not later years. save horses—it pushes them into neglect, abandonment, Dot Hickman- Rider photographed riding 3x National Her journey hasn’t been without challenges. In the and kill pens. Responsibility, she believes, protects them. Champion Neron fan e' Piksen late ’90s, a severe injury—breaking her tailbone in When asked to summarize her lifelong bond with horses, two places—shifted her from trotting breeds to gaited horses while she healed. But riders her answer is simple but profound: like Dot don’t give up—they sim“They’ve been my peace, my teachers, and my greatest joy.” ply adjust their reins. Dot also credits her husband, Terry, for his encouragement and support throughout her Return Address: P.O. Box 1292 Corinth, MS 38835 Recently, she returned to her journey. His love has been as steady as the horses she rides, and with a warm smile she original style of riding, findadds, “With a husband's love, I think that I can ride into the sunset.” ing joy once again in every Dot Hickman Rider’s life isn’t just connected to horses—it’s woven into every fiber of stride. who she is. And as she continues this journey, saddle in hand and heart full of gratitude, POSTAL PATRON Dot has always enjoyed her story stands as a testament to passion, patience, and the powerful bond between a both worlds—from riding rider and her horse. A life lived in the saddle is a life lived full—and Dot wouldn’t trade fences on the farm to stepping a single mile.