For sisters Ashley and Jessie Hadlock, horses have been in their blood since birth. “Our parents showed against each other when they were in youth, so it was only natural for Ashley and me to show,” says Jessie.
Ashley started in 4-H and novice classes and younger sister, Jessie began walk trot in 2001. Soon, their love of horses and being on the road together as a family grew. Their youth years were filled with their very supportive parents, Mom (Donna), Dad (Greg), and the two girls driving across the country from horse show to horse show. They had special horses such as Zipped N Bar Teddy, Handee Rap, Aint I Conclusive, and Structurally Correct. The sisters won numerous Top-10 awards at the Congress and World Show.
After a four-year hiatus, Jessie is returning back to horse showing and looking forward to competing side-by-side at the Congress with her sister, Ashley.
“Showing at the Congress with Ashley will just feel like the norm. We showed at every Congress to
gether for a decade straight, so I’m looking forward to getting back into the tradition,” she says.
During those youth years, Ashley and Jessie primarily kept their horses at home in Goodlettsville, Tennessee where they did much of the work themselves. However, they are quick to acknowledge the help the have received through the years, namely from Mike and Charlene Carter, Vicky Holt, Kendra and Blake Weis, John and Jill Briggs and now, Ryan Cottingim and Mandi Gately.
At the Congress this year, Jessie will be teaming up with her horse, Safe Havens Version, also known as “Jasper” and Ashley will show Touched N Moonlite, also known as “Regis”.
While Ashley and Regis have been a competitive duo since 2014, Jessie and Jasper have just teamed up earlier this year and look forward to their first Congress together.
Last year, Jessie traveled to Ohio to support her sister at the Congress and that is when she found Jasper. They made their show debut earlier in 2016 and will make their Congress debut in the Amateur Horsemanship, Showmanship, and Equitation.
Ashley, who won two NSBA World Championships in Tulsa this year, will be competing in the Amateur Horsemanship and Showmanship at the Congress. “A lot of people ask what it’s like to show together and if it is hard. I actually think it’s a lot of fun. We are both competitive but we are also each other’s biggest supporters,” says Ashley.
Jessie agrees, “Being in the show pen with my sister gives me a sense of comfort. We have always shown together in the same classes since the start, so it only feels right to see her in the show pen with me,” she says.
While having a sister that shows can be competitive at times, they can also be there to lend you a helping hand when you need it most. “It’s nice always having someone there to help you zip your chaps, borrow lipstick and review the patterns at the last minute,” says Ashley.
Jessie also states that she and her sister practice together at home and having someone there to share the emotions of horse showing can be a big help. “Plus, it’s nice to always have someone in the warm up pen to steal a bobby pin from at the last minute,” says Jess.
Growing up in the show pen together, it is no wonder that these two sisters have some horse-show related things in common as well. “I’m not as superstitious as Ashley, but we definitely share some rituals,” Jessie says.
What are some of those pre-horse show rituals you might ask? “Before each show, we both always have to have a cookie from Subway – it is the only time where it is okay to cheat on a diet. Also, we do not pack anything green. Green clothing, green tennis shoes or even green horse-related items,’” Ashley says.
The girls like having the opportunity to choose their own back numbers. “We both have numbers that we consider to be lucky. For me, it’s 23 and for Jessie, it’s 24. We will both always choose numbers that end in 23 and 24,” Ashley says.
Another lucky token that the Hadlock’s enjoy this time of year is special to the Congress itself. “We both have lucky Buckeyes from the tree in Columbus by the Coliseum,” says Jessie.
Making memories like these are what motivate the girls to keep showing with one another, even though they are both adults and have their own separate lives. “Being adults in the working world makes it difficult to find time to spend together. Horse shows give us a break from the real world and allow us to share time together with a common interest,” says Jessie.
Be sure to watch for Ashley and Touched N Moonlite in the Amateur Showmanship, Horsemanship and Trail at the Congress and with Ryan Cottingim in the Senior Trail.
Also look for Jessica and Safe Havens Version in the Amateur Showmanship, Horsemanship, and Equitation. These two are under the guidance of Ryan Cottingim and Amanda Gately.
Best of luck girls!
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Photos courtesy of the Hadlock family, KC Montgomery, Impulse Photography, Jeff Kirkbride
