By Mitzi Oxford
Nestled in the lush green rolling hills of rural Middle Tennessee lies the small town of Eagleville. Cows and horses graze in the fields painting a Currier and Ives picture. When it was founded in 1832, horses and mules were the driving power in agriculture until the tractor was invented. By the 1940s tractors had pretty much displaced them on the farm.
Since 2019, the town is now home to a business where the past meets the future, Eagleville Implement Company, offering equipment to match any farming need including tractors, both antique and late model, hay balers and rakes, trailers and Bush Hogs.
“We are proud to be the largest single-store dealer in the country for Bush Hog sales, and we service what we sell. We offer competitive shipping coast to coast and have sold equipment in all 50 states,” said manager David Price.
Good to know when prime farmland across the country is also home to prize winning horses.
As enthusiastic as he is about his hardworking team and providing excellent customer service for farm equipment, David is just as passionate about supporting the Tennessee Walking Horse industry and a rodeo for good measure. Through a partnership with Bush Hog, Eagleville Implement has been a proud sponsor of numerous events including:
• 2019–2023 THWNC Sponsor
• 2021 Celebration Fall Classic Sponsor in Two-Year-Old Debut Class
• 2021 Celebration Fall Classic Sponsor in Andy Adkins Memorial Class
• 2021–2023 WHOA International
• 2022 & 2023 Riders’ Cup (Five & Under Show Pleasure)
• 2022 Alabama Jubilee Gold Sponsor
• 2022 NC Championship Show Sponsor
• 2019–2023 Southern TN All-Star Rodeo Gold Sponsor
• Outstanding Woman of the Year award for the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation
David Price, Eagleville Implement owner, Cody Adgent and Bush Hog sales representative, Ashley Wadsworth, have represented the company at many of these shows. It’s a mutual admiration society for trainers, riders and horses, and potential customers they meet along the way. You may have visited with them at their Celebration booth, or at other shows for which they serve as a sponsor.
“I am so lucky that David and his team love the horse business as much as I do. Most of the dealers don’t get involved as much with the owners and trainers, but we love it and it’s just good business for us to support the folks who support us,” explained Ashley.
David fell in love with horses at an early age when he moved to Murfreesboro in 1998 and stopped at Ricky Womack’s Stables. At the time, Ricky had 200 stalls and his barn was standing about 10 World Grand Champions. For David it was a great opportunity to fall in love with walking horses.
“I ended up working for him. I was 13 years old cleaning stalls, getting the horses out in the mornings, saddling them up and washing them down after their workouts. I was in awe of the trainers, the owners and the champion horses including 1990 World Grand Champion The Pushover and 1994 World Grand Champion Gen’s Armed And Dangerous.”
He considers that his first real introduction to the walking horse business and looks back on that involvement as a great opportunity. His experience is part of building the next generation of kids for the love of agriculture and the TWH industry through Eagleville Implement.
“Our company also sponsors the Bedford County Fair Kids Tractor Pull. Everything we can do helps guide our youth in the agriculture industry, helps sustain the Tennessee Walking Horse industry and helps our country for future generations, which is important. We are proud to help support them,” said David.
If you know Eagleville, Tennessee, you know it used to be home to one the country’s oldest and best one night horse shows. It began in 1908 and was almost like the Celebration, only in a small town with a population of less than 900 which grew by leaps and bounds during those annual shows, at least for one night.
For some perspective, the TWHNC began 31 years later in Wartrace about 30 miles from Eagleville. A few years later it moved to Shelbyville, now known as the Walking Horse Capital of the World. It began with a parade depicting the evolution of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed from its original use as a plow and utility horse, to its present use as a show horse.
Now Eagleville Implement is working alongside that history with farm equipment and support for the future. Through David, Cody and Ashley’s long-time involvement in the horse business, the company is laying a foundation for young farmers and riders in supporting the next generation.
“We love the looks on children's faces when they walk into our showroom with their parents and get starry-eyed over all the toys and pedal tractors we have to offer. I remember the pride of riding and showing. If we don’t invest and nourish our young riders now, we won’t be supporting the future of owners, riders and trainers,” David said.
Like many, David also loves the Celebration. Reconnecting with the folks he’s met along the way, and sharing a donut and conversation, are special bonds. Then there is the “drag.”
When the tractor comes into the Celebration oval to smooth out the track on the first Saturday night in September, the anticipation level is high. You know what’s about to happen next. Once again, tractors are a part of the world’s greatest walking horse extravaganza, if only for a few minutes.
“The drag leads up to the biggest night in the walking horse world. There is nothing else like it.” David looks forward to leading his own next generation of walking horse enthusiasts.
“My son Grant is 10 years old. He went to his first Celebration last year and enjoyed it. I look forward to getting him in the saddle because I think he would love it just like I did.”
Once again, the horses, the tractors and those who love and depend on both, come full circle.