Alabama native John Shehee lives in Burleson, Texas, and works as an assistant horse trainer for Clay Arrington. His multiple roles involve saddling, riding, prepping horses for shows, caring for them, and packing for horse shows by organizing tack and feed. He also specializes in western pleasure, trail, and breaking out two-year-olds.
Sheehee started riding horses at eight and had dressage lessons, leading to leasing his first horse, Magic. Later, his parents bought his first horse, Sparky, who introduced him to western all-around events. Shortly after, John began training with Clay Arrington’s parents in the western all-around events.
GHS: HI John! Nice to meet you. Can you tell us when you started showing?
John: I began showing at open shows around age ten and transitioned to AQHA shows when I started training with Ricky and Christie Arrington.
GHS: What do you like about horses and showing them?
John: I love the rewarding process of starting a horse, progressing with it, guiding it to reach its full potential, and seeing the hard work pay off.
GHS: What are some of your favorite accomplishments in the show arena?
John: Some of my career highlights include placing third in the NSBA World Show Limited Open Two-Year-Old Western Pleasure on Lopin Nowhere Fast, earning a top ten finish in a deep L3 Junior Trail class at the Sudden Impulse Show in Ocala on VS Good Machine, and placing fifth at The Premier in the $2,500 Novice Horse Novice Rider class on Ill Be The Only RV during my first show as an assistant.
GHS: What are some of the well-known horses that you have helped train?
John: Wild Cardd, Made For Naturdays, RV For Hire, RV Is Always Lazy.
GHS: Tell us about some of your biggest mentors.
John: My most prominent mentors are Clay and Lexie Arrington for their immense support and guidance, Cleve Wells for his valuable teachings and words of wisdom, and my parents for everything they’ve done to support me throughout the years.
GHS: What advice do you have for other young trainers?
John: Never stop learning, absorb all you can from the pros, stay humble, work hard, and enjoy every moment of the journey.
GHS: How about some of your favorite memories from the industry?
John: My best memories are the lifelong friendships I’ve made and the joy on people’s faces when they achieve what they’ve dreamed of and worked so hard for.
GHS: How did you come about working for Clay? What do you like about working for him?
John: I started training with Christie and Ricky Arrington around age 12 and spent a summer cleaning stalls, lunging, and saddling horses for them. When Clay Arrington had only been out on his own for a few months, he proposed the idea of me working for him, and it’s been a great fit ever since.
I enjoy working for Clay Arrington because of the opportunities to learn, grow, and refine my skills under his guidance. I appreciate his mentorship and the chance to be part of a family-orientated team that values hard work, dedication, and true horsemanship, while helping horses and riders reach their full potential. It’s nice to have bosses who care about my success.
GHS: What is one thing people probably don’t know about you?
John: I feel like I’m an open book.
GHS: What would you like to see improved in the industry?
John: A stronger support system for trainers, assistants, and professionals behind the scenes. As well as more appreciation for all disciplines. For example, pleasure may not be for everyone, but there’s still much to respect about the hard work and time of cultivating a pleasure horse. Instead of taking the time to hate on a discipline you don’t understand, I think it’s better to use that time to learn about it.
GHS: What are some of your future goals?
John: My future goals are to improve in showing western pleasure, refine my skills in the finishing process for show horses, and continue learning as much as I can.
GHS: Thanks, John!
