2018 Horses, Trainers and Judges
Dreamer – 3 year old Pinto Filly
Houston – 3 Year old 14.3 Sorrel Grade Gelding
Foxfire – 5 year old 14.2 Sorrel Grade Gelding
Dallas is very mannerly on the ground.
I’m Tinker Moffitt, seems I’ve been riding and training horses what seems like all my life. Along the way I have had the honor of working with and learning from some of the most knowledgeable horsemen in our industry. Everyday is a new day training a horse a horse might remember yesterdays’ lesson or you might have to go a few steps back. Working with horses is a humbling experience. But at the end of the day it’s all about the horse.
Expectations
I have, since finding out about the GERL Rescue Challenge been asking to be a part of this program. I have trained 2 GERL foster horses. One was Bailey and the other was Lucy. Both horses had their own ways of life. Understanding a horse takes a bit of time but understanding a horse that has come to you with neglect, lack of food and even abuse takes total consistency, quietness and thought. GERL has never sent me the easy horses but at the end their training with me Bailey and Lucy truly found their peace and became the horses that wanted and needed to learn. I know your program has done a lot to help the horses and I would like the opportunity to throw my hat in and help too.
Betsy’s horsemanship journey began when her parents enrolled her in a riding lesson program at a local barn when she was 11. She rode with the Georgia Southern Equestrian Team (GSUET) during college where she served as the Secretary for the first two years and as the President the next two. It was during that time that Betsy started her study of dressage under the direction of the team coach, Christine Manka. She competed successfully for four years at the intermediate level on the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) circuit. As an alumni , / Betsy qualified for Nationals in Western Stock Seat and Reining Pattern where she finished third and fourth respectively in 1998. During college Betsy also trained and competed in Western Pleasure on the Bulloch Horseman’s Association circuit and gained experience working with Stallions. Here she learned about running a stud farm, had an opportunity to work with weanlings and yearlings, and do some colt starting. The first major milestone in Betsy’s horsemanship journey was when she attended a Parelli tour stop in the fall of 2001. In 2005 she relocated to Woodstock GA. and expanded her horsemanship education by spending three months at the Parelli ranch in Ocala, Fl.
My name is Bennett Smith and I am 16 yrs old. I enjoy riding both Western and English. I have been riding for a little over 8 years and compete in Jumpers as well as drill team. I started out by training my own horse and then moved on to helping others with their horses. Creating a bond between horse and rider is my ultimate goal because a relationship built on trust and respect will last a life time.
I started training horses when I was 11. My first horse was a barrel racer that was high strung and had bad experiences with riding. He had separation anxiety and would rear or bolt anytime I rode him without another horse nearby. I used positive reinforcements to get him comfortable with riders and being by himself. I taught him to jump and we compete in jumper shows as well as in drill team competitions. I also did liberty training with him and I now ride him without a bridle. One summer, when I was 15, I trained a foal. I worked with her on ground manners as well as putting her first saddle on her. Recently, I worked with a horse on neck reining for a girl who wanted to compete in western events. I am currently training a pony who is going to be a therapy horse for a 7 year old girl. The pony had never been ridden and had a bucking problem. She now accepts the bit, does flying lead changes, and no longer bucks.
I compete with my horse in SEATS competitive trail rides, drill team competitions, and jumper shows at H-J Fox. Our drill team is State Champion and I recently was High Point champion in Jumpers at H-J Fox.
Josh Peebles started working with horses at the early age of 14 as an apprentice trainer. When Josh was 21 he started training horses on his own for the general public. He has restarted off the track Thoroughbreds, started hundreds of colts, and worked with a variety of dangerous and problem horses. Josh has taught a variety of clinics such as colt starting, problem solving, ranch roping, and mounted shooting.
In 2014 Josh competed in his first Extreme Mustang Makeover Event in Alabama. He won two of the three preliminary classes and placed 4th overall. In 2015 and 2016 Josh competed in his 2nd and 3rd Extreme Mustang Makeover Events, placing 4th and 3rd overall, respectively. He was the 2016 Southern Equine Expo Colt Starting Challenge champion. He was also the 2017 Everything Equine Expo Colt Starting Challenge champion. Josh wrapped up 2017 with an invite to the Mustang Magic in Fort Worth, Tx, Placing 4th overall and taking Reserve Champion at the Alabama Horse Council Colt Starting in Cullman, Al.
Josh prides himself in being an all around horseman, which was the conception behind the naming of his business, “All Purpose Horsemanship”.
Julie Richards has been riding and training horses for 27 years. Starting with a solid foundation, Julie learned dressage and jumping. She attended William Woods University where she completed her B.S degree in Equestrian Science, and expanded to riding Saddle Seat, Western, and even Driving. Continuing her teaching and training skills, she has helped her client’s develop new experiences to build a deeper relationship with their horse. Thus their owners gain confidence and knowledge that will keep them safe and building a long lasting bond. Winning numerous Buckle Series in Extreme Obstacle Challenges, Julie has also expanded her own experience to cow sorting and trick training. Julie recently performed with the Fancy Mount Farm performance act team at Southern Equine Expo and the Hoosier Equine Fair and Expo.
Lisa Henson has been riding horses her whole life but it wasn’t until she was 25 that she owned her 1st horse. Lisa trail rode, did a year of cutting horse training, and then began competing in obstacle challenges in 2014. Since then she has traveled to TN, SC, NC, Al, GA, FL to compete in Obstacle Challenges. She has won several Buckles Series to include local obstacle challenges, several state high points, 2 National Top 5 championships with Equine Trail Sports. She has also attended several judges’ clinics and was a judge for ETS and local obstacle challenges.
Elizabeth Dabney Smith, a 6th generation horsewoman, carries on the family legacy of training with Gentle Horsemanship methods. As the daughter of Ed Dabney, she learned from his instruction and through years of assisting with training and instruction in Ed Dabney’s US Clinics and European Clinic Tours. Elizabeth is the founder and senior instructor of Dabney Riding Academy and the Diamond D Cowgirls drill team which consist of six different teams ranging from ages 6-35 years. Her communication and leadership skills with horses and humans have contributed to the achievement of multiple State and Regional Championship titles. The Diamond D Cowgirls Professional team won the 2015 National Championship in mounted drill competition. Elizabeth teaches Adult, beginner to advanced lessons, and Advanced Youth riding lessons. Elizabeth’s ability to give clear, specific and patient instruction allows her students to gain confidence as they progress in the development of refined horsemanship skills. Elizabeth is also the senior trainer and manager of Dabney Gentle Horsemanship. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild, Elizabeth has worked in the film industry as a stunt rider, horse trainer and wrangler for two full seasons of Fox TV’s popular drama series, Sleepy Hollow as well as other film industry work.
