They don't call it "Sweet Home Alabama" for Nothin'
a report from the trail by Julie Dillon, TWHBEA Instructor
By the first of May, the trails at Faye Whittemore Farm in Jasper, Alabama are dripping with the scent of honeysuckle in full bloom.
Friday afternoon after a delicious home-cooked dinner prepared by "Nanny" Dean Aaron complete with "sweet tea", festivities began with the traditional welcome bonfire. Tom Seay, master of ceremonies (and ever popular TV star) welcomed the gathering of over one hundred and forty riders. Tom speaks with a unique blend of genteel hospitality that makes everyone feel like family. We all enjoyed his often self effacing humor as he tells jokes and stories with embellishment to spare. It was in blissful contentment to be sitting under the stars in front of a blazing fire surrounded by individuals and families alike that had journeyed from near and far to swap tales, compare notes and find fellowship with other horse lovers.
Always charming and delightful, Del Shields, Best of America by Horseback's resident Western Musician and Cowboy Poet took the lead to give us his Kansas-style songs and poetry depicting slices of life in and out of the saddle. His beautiful folk ballads and light hearted stories are not to be missed. Visiting guest singer, Dawn Anita added a female touch to the evening with her country-western tunes.
Saturday morning brought a light rain. Not to be deterred, a dedicated group saddled up and headed out to enjoy the forest in its misting glory. Later, as the rain cleared Ricky Whittemore, owner of Faye Whittemore Farms, was our guide as we traveled past striking rock formations, ferns and flowering mountain laurel, then through a spring fed creek. This was pleasure riding at its best as the cool breeze kept the sunlit day the perfect temperature for horse and rider alike.
Watching over us and bringing up the rear were several members of the Outcast Riding Club. This fun-loving bunch had spent hundreds of volunteer hours grooming the trails just for this occasion. They were mounted on beautiful Paint Horses and looked like a picture postcard. Susie Hartley came riding her mare while her weanling foal followed along. Just weeks old, he was already learning the basics of becoming a seasoned trail mount and proving himself to be perfectly behaved. As we executed the switchbacks on the trail it was joyful for me an almost constant line of nodding heads as there were several groups of Tennessee Walking Horses in attendance.
Each rider anticipates the many opportunities to ride before the cameras set up at different locations throughout the ride. Behind the equipment and planning of each scene is Pat Seay, Producer of the show and Tom’s wife. Pat keeps him and everyone else involved in focus. Her professional standards and talent has been evident to the film industry at large as Pat has been nominated by a former Emmy Award Winner for awards in cinematography and editing work on the Best of America by Horseback Show this year. Editor, David Londrey also fills the many shoes of site selection, film and sound editing as well as coordinating and moving equipment of all kinds as needed throughout the process of creating each episode.
Once back at camp, Kerry Kuhn delivered an outstanding presentation of horsemanship and training while working with a horse needing expert handling. Kerry appears at all of the BOABH events and is their official clinician. He is truly a gifted and talented trainer and does amazing work with horses and their grateful owners. Donna Maye West gave a great talk for the crowd concerning safety techniques with and around your horse and barn. Lessons in gaited equitation by yours truly were also presented with the assistance of Sue Stepp of Stepp-N-Out Farm and Sandy Pegram of the Alabama Horse Council on their Tennessee Walking Horses. Each of the ladies demonstrated taking their horses from a two-beat to a four-beat gait showing how seat, leg and hands affect the horses way of going.
"Jim-N-Nicks BBQ" of Jasper, Alabama, a local favorite provided a down-home and delicious meal of brisket and chicken with all the trimmings. During the meal, Del Shileds and Dawn Anita entertained everyone. After a dessert of coconut cream pie, tables were tucked away for the "Hilton Brothers Band" to provide us all with a chance to learn the foot-stomping Alabama version of the Electric Slide and Texas Two-Step.
Throughout the evening autographs were signed by Tom, Kerry, Delbert and the rest of the crew while a constant crowd formed around photographer Linda Catlin's beautiful display of photographs. Pictures taken by Linda during the ride were made available and serve as lovely keepsakes of the memories made here. So many orders were placed that they kept Linda hopping until late into the evening!
Sunday's ride always begins with Cowboy Church as Del Shields leads worship and thanks for this wonderful weekend (yes, he is even a minister!). Following the prayer service, Miranda Dobbins and Brianna Litrell rode a colorful performance pattern and presented the flag. And to complete the morning ceremonies, David Frye touched us all by doing a beautiful job singing our National Anthem. Keeping the weekend schedule running like clockwork as well as coordinating other details of the BOABH Program is Michelle Turner. She is a brilliant and skilled facilitator as well as a strategist at heart. She assists in handling the aspects of the BOABH events from planning to Public Relations and Marketing. Also a devoted member and supporter of TWHBEA, Michelle owns a Spotted Saddlehorse as well as a Tennessee Walking Horse. With her striking red hair, Michelle is a crowd favorite as she juggles her many duties with a professional flair all her own.
Later, as the final hours on the trail quickly passed, it became clear to me that one would be hard-pressed to meet a more happy bunch of folks as those at Janet and Ricky Whittemore's horse camping facility. Their staff and crew was friendly and helpful, devoting hours of time and energy toward making this event a visit to be remembered by all. The riders came from all types of arenas and backgrounds for fellowship and camaraderie. Sharing their experiences, knowledge and love of horses creates a bond among trail riders that is enviable among other more competitive disciplines.
Regardless of how you spend your time with your horse, everyone should experience this relaxing and beautiful world of camping and riding. Tom Seay and the cast and crew at The Best of America by Horseback Show have truly been a blessing to our Tennessee Walking Horses as they have shared their growing spotlight and popularity with TWHBEA. As a proud owner of Tennessee Walking Horses and a member and Certified Instructor with TWHBEA, I am thrilled and proud to be a part of this wonderful show. As a breed organization, TWHBEA is truly fortunate to have the support of what is now the number one television show on RFD-TV. Please watch Tom Seay and his cast as they present to viewers from all over our great nation (and now telecast in Europe as well) the beautiful county trails and culture of rural America.
In June, Tom and the crew will be at Midwest Trail Rides in Norman, Indiana where I will report on adventures as they occur. I'll look for you . . . perhaps you will be there!
|