Showing the American Quarter Horse is so much more difficult than it appears on the television and movie screens. It is not a montage of one major down, a month of intense practice leading the individual to major victory. The journey the exhibitor embarks on is similar to driving through the Smokey Mountains, it is compiled of winding, unexpected turns, massive inclines and major tunnels. Yet one aspect that the movie screens portray accurately is that the horse showing career is so much more than winning shining trophies and colorful ribbons. It is the small achievements along the way, the real prize is not the materials but rather that the relentless hard work finally paid off. Every exhibitor in the AQHA has a story about their journey, including myself. Through my journey, I realized that I would be honored to represent the Tennessee Quarter Horse Association at the Quarter Horse Congress Queens pageant.
My name is Whitney Teeter. When I began my American Quarter Horse showing journey, it began by watching the Hillbilly Classic. I remember sitting there enthralled watching all the competitors, I dreamed that one day that could be me draped in rhinestones and sparkles showing my American Quarter horse. After that show I was hooked all I wanted was to make my AQHA show debut and was prepared to embark on this daunting journey. My first show horse, HKS Cool Sonny, would not be considered a typical show horse and my grand father gave 1,000 dollars for him. He was stunning to say the least since he was a muscular sorrel covered in chrome. I remember grinning ear to ear upon seeing him. Sonny truly took care of me while navigating the arena filled with competitors and he taught me a multitude of lessons. Sonny taught me grit and how to fight. He taught me how to trust in him and was always by my side no matter occurrence. The greatest lesson though was to appreciate the small victories as much as the major ones because you are always better than when you started. My first debut was rough to say the least, if I was not last place then it was a great day. Its comical now as I reflect, the first time applying a fake tail was at an AQHA show and we were too embarrassed to ask for help. That poor tail was wrapped in so much electrical tape, I am not sure if a tornado could have removed it. Yet one of the reasons, I did not quit my journey is due to the friendly faces at the Tennessee and Kentucky Quarter horse shows. They constantly encouraged me seemingly knowing the rider that I would soon become. The journey from the bottom was tough but then I met my current horse trainer Amber Darnell. She believed in me when no one else did and she enabled me to reach the potential that everyone else saw. She introduced me to Clifford and made a horse and rider duo that no one believed in to a force to be reckoned with. Yet even as my scores and abilities improved the members of the Tennessee Quarter Horse Association were genuinely happy for me.
My humble beginnings in the show horse world provided me with an experience like no other. Hard work and dedication pays off. To achieve my goals, I would practice in my front yard with my porch lights allowing me to ride in the dark. I would ride until my legs were blistered so that I could get that skill or nail my pattern. I would read every article and watch videos so I could have the best knowledge. Also starting at the bottom, made the small and large victories mean more because you remember the difficult journey that you made. I remember winning my first circuit championship and I cried I was so proud. I could not believe that I finally did it that I was at this point in my journey. My dreams were finally coming true. This journey developed my horsemanship skills. I learned a lot of the mechanics behind creating an amazing horse and how to correct problems in the arena. These problem solving skills have enhanced my adult life because it made me very quick on my feet.