Ashlyn Avent – Shelbyville, Tennessee

WHAT HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE ARE YOU GRADUATING FROM?
I will be graduating from Sewanee: The University of the South with my Bachelor’s in Political Science and a minor in Psychology.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOLLOWING GRADUATION?
I will be attending Cumberland Law School in Birmingham, Alabama in the fall to pursue a J.D.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN THE TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE INDUSTRY AND/OR HOW ARE YOU RELATED TO THE INDUSTRY?
I have been involved with the Tennessee Walking Horse industry for as long as I can remember. I showed lead line and then both padded and flat shod for my entire youth career. My mother, Alicia Avent, has an extensive career in the show ring. My father, Clay Avent, was a farrier for many years. My grandmother, Sharon Avent, showed for many years and my grandfather, Terry Avent, was also a farrier! My other grandmother, Lucy Blackmon also showed and my grandfather, Gartrell “G”, helps the Callaways at most shows! Lastly, Allan Callaway is my great-uncle, which makes John Allan and Bill Callaway my second cousins! So, to say that I was surrounded by walking horses growing up would be an understatement! 

DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE HORSES IN TRAINING AND IF SO, WHO ARE THEY AND WHO IS YOUR TRAINER?
I currently do not have any horses in professional training. However, I do have an Amateur Owned & Trained Trail Pleasure partner, WC and 2xRWC The Red Light District (Roxy), who I am so lucky to have the opportunity to own and train.

TELL US ABOUT A SPECIAL HORSE RELATED MEMORY WHETHER IN THE RING, ON THE TRAIL OR AT THE BARN?
My most favorite memory would be winning two reserve world championships at the 2019 Celebration in the Western AOT Trail Pleasure and the English AOT Trail Pleasure on Roxy. When they called my number in the western class, I burst into tears and cried all the way to the fountain! It was such a huge accomplishment, as it was the closest I have been to winning at the Celebration and showed the hours of work that I had put into working with my horse.

HOW HAVE HORSES HELPED YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE?
Horses have taught me that hard work makes dreams happen and attention to detail is so important. Win or lose, keep working hard and it will all be worth it. 

DO YOU HAVE ANY PERSONAL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PASS ALONG TO FELLOW SENIORS DURING THIS TIME?
Don’t stop here. Continue to pursue bigger things and more opportunities. Your only limitation is yourself.