TNRHA Hall Of Fame

Julia Cowan-Reece

Julia Cowan-Reece has been involved in TNRHA since the inception and was one of the 25 individuals who was part of the original membership required by NRHA for TNRHA to be recognized as an affiliate.

A two-time president of TNRHA and perennial board member, she has assumed the roles of show chairman, show manager and chair of the sponsorship committee.  She served 2 terms on the board of directors for the National Reining Horse Association, creating strong connections for our region.

Julia became a reiner after entering the horse world as a youth. A successful youth career riding and showing gaited horses ended when a bad accident resulted in serious injuries which would have sent a lesser competitor in search of a different challenge. But not the newest member of the TNRHA Hall of Fame. She moved on to western disciplines and enjoyed considerable success in the cutting arena. But once Julia tried a reiner, she knew this was where she was meant to make her mark.

Among her many contributions and projects, she is best known for her leadership of the TNRHA Stallion Auction and Volunteer Breeders Classic an event that drew competitors from over 20 states. Over the years she has personally been directly responsible for raising approximately $300,000.00 in prize money for TNRHA events.

Julia has come to be respected for her level headed, calm approach to problem solving whatever the situation, her willingness to work for the club, and her ever present cheerful, willing attitude. TNRHA is honored to welcome Julia Reece to the TNRHA Hall of Fame.

DoubleKnotYourReeboks

DoubleKnotYourReeboks “Twister” is a 2002 stallion that has won well over $132,000 and produced over $85,000. Affectionately known as “Twister” he is enjoying retirement at Creekside Stables in Georgia and is proudly owned by lifetime TNRHA member, Heather Servies who has competed with TNRHA for almost 20 years.

DoubleKnotYourReeboks has found himself in the winners’ circle numerous times and is known for his memorable freestyle routines with Heather.  As a 9-time Congress Champion, one of his most remarkable accomplishments was winning the Congress Ladies division 6 years in a row. Twister has won classes, aged events, circuit championships, year-end awards, and affiliate regional titles while representing TNRHA including the 2009 NRHA Intermediate Open Reserve World Championship

Not only has DoubleKnotYourReeboks left a lasting impression in the TNRHA arenas, but his offspring are continuing to be shown successfully across all divisions of the association and nationally. Two of his most notable offspring, Knotty After Midnight and Jeans N Reeboks, are common names announced and printed on TNRHA draws and at the top of class results at shows across the Southeast and Midwest.

DoubleKnotYourReeboks progeny have been honored as TNRHA Saddle Series winners, year-end champions, affiliate champions, and NRHA World Champions. This gorgeous and talented stallion has created his own legacy in the reining world, is a model of the multi-talented Quarter Horse that excels in our sport and will continue to impact the industry for generations to come.

It is our pleasure and honor to welcome Double Knot Your Reeboks “Twister” into the TNRHA HALL OF FAME.

Landon Backus

Landon Backus has been a part of the Tennessee Reining Horse Association since the birth of the association. His name was among the 25 charter members who made application to NRHA in 2003 to establish a new affiliate in Tennessee; and his service, contributions, and dedication to the association were just beginning.

He is a lifetime member of TNRHA and has served continuously on the board of directors since the first board was elected. He has excelled in our sport as a breeder, owner and exhibitor

Landon’s contributions to TNRHA are too numerous to itemize. He announces for warm-ups, in the green reiner pen and covers the main arena. He is the keeper of the cones and chairs, the finder of needed equipment like zip ties, duct tape, extension cords, the hanger of banners, the keeper of the gate, the list goes on and on. His attention to detail and the little things help keep TNRHA running smoothly. Landon does so much behind the scenes no one know exactly what all he does.

Landon has served as the NRHA Rep for every one of TNRHA’s shows. His knowledge of NRHA rules and regulations is unmatched. Among his many duties as NRHA rep are such things as answering exhibitor questions, oversight of the warm-up pen, reporting of any irregularities to NRHA and dealing with any “situation” that may develop. Landon is an exceptional representative of our sport and our affiliate, handling any situation with a calm, measured and respectful approach that is appreciated by all; if a “situation” arises, the show manager can turn it over to Landon knowing he will handle it calmly, patiently, and always “by the book”—the NRHA handbook. If you see him standing at the gate, you can bet he isn’t just standing there. He’s probably opening the gate and having something to say to every exhibitor to help calm their ring anxiety…and finding something good to tell them when they come out. His constant good nature makes him everybody’s friend.  TNRHA is honored to induct Landon Backus into the TNRHA Hall of Fame.

Rick Walker

Barbara Brookshire

Barbara Brookshire served as President of our club for four years and stepped up when no one else was willing to take that role.  Barbara worked tirelessly as President and still serves as our Show Chairman. She has supported reining in Tennessee in the role of scribe, being chosen to scribe at premiere NRHA competitions, Regional Director of the East Center Region and member of the NRHA Board, serving on the Affiliate Committee.  She is our go-to person regarding NRHA rules and continues to guide us regarding the guidelines and regulations.  One of the most frequently heard comments at any TNRHA show is “Go ask Barbara”. After an absence from the show pen, Barbara returned with her mare “BH Whizin on a Melody” and she and Mel represented TNRHA this past year at the Regional Affiliate Finals in the Rookie class. Thank you, Barbara, for everything you have done – and continue to do for TNRHA – and congratulations on your induction into the TNRHA Hall of Fame.

Pearl King Whiz

Pearls King Whiz is, quite simply, an incredible show horse. This 1999 gelding is by Paprika Whiz, who is an own son of Top Sail Whiz, and out of a daughter of Easter Gentlemen is royally bred. His NRHA show report goes on for 10 full pages and, as you scan his history in the show pen, it is clear to see that his consistency and longevity are second to none. From Charlie Hutton and Mark Turner in the open to Jerry Montaque in a successful year of Rookie competition, from the beginning this horse never failed to show up, almost always taking home a check. At a clinic in 2011, Marco Formentin suggested that Jenny Lynn Hooper try Whiz, she bought him soon after. They competed together for the first time in NRHA Green classes in October of that year and an once-in-a-lifetime partnership was born. Pearls King Whiz has NRHA life time earnings of more than forty six thousand dollars and his many TNRHA year end titles, AQHA Registers of Merit and NRHA top 5 and top 10 finishes are literally too numerous to mention and they include 2014 NRHA Non Pro Novice Horse Level 2 world champion and 2012 NRHA limited non pro reserve world champion with Jenny Lynn on board. When interviewed for an article in The Reiner, Jenny Lynn said of Whiz, “I’ve never shown a horse with so much try and so much heart.” Congratulations to Pearls King Whiz and owner Jenny Lynn Hooper on his induction into the TNRHA Hall of Fame.

Boggerima

and to owner

David Reece

Boggerima was a 1997 stallion by the great Boggies Flashy Jac and out of Torima De King.  As a sire, “Booger” as he was affectionately known, has sired over $100,000 in NRHA earnings and several of his offspring are still showing.  As a show horse, he won $37,426 in NRHA events including being a finalist in the Open Level 4 NRHA Futurity, American Quarter Horse Congress Futurity, and the NRHA Derby. He also won several open derby championships throughout the east coast.

His impact on TNRHA is evident in not only his offspring that have shown at the Tennessee shows, but the fact that Booger himself, after a successful career in the Open divisions, carried two different TNRHA Green and Rookie riders to wins in the pen.  Lauree Cameron guided Booger to numerous wins in Rookie and they qualified to compete in Oklahoma City in the NAAC Rookie of the Year event.

Over the next 2 years, Booger carried owner David Reece through many successful runs in TNRHA Green Reiner and Rookie classes.  This team qualified to represent TNRHA at the Affiliate Finals.

Plans were taking shape to show Booger in TNRHA Rookie and Non Pro classes when an unfortunate accident ended this great minded, talented stallions’ life.  Condolences on his loss came from as far away as Europe and verified this stallions’ impact on everyone who had the pleasure of coming in contact with him.  Though not big in stature, he was huge in heart!

Tuckers Lil Playboy

and to

Michelle Grantham and Keith Tidmore

Tuckers Lil Playboy

2002 Sorrel

(Elans Playboy x Pocita Senorita)

With a show career that has spanned 10 years, Tuckers Lil Playboy has demonstrated the ability to maintain a very high level of performance at an age that many stallions have already been retired to the breeding barn.  With over $84,000 in total NRHA earnings, he has successfully carried both Open and non Pro riders to a first place finish, repeatedly.  In AQHA competition, “Playboy” has accumulated 53.5 open points and 7 amateur points in very limited showing, earning his ROM.  He is the sire of 10 foals, 2 of which are money earners. Playboy set the standard for derby reining in Tennessee by winning both the inaugural VBC derby and the Smoky Mountain Reins Derby as a 4 year old.  He repeated this feat as a five year old and again as a 6 year old, becoming the only horse to perform this three-peat.