Gavin and Midnight went on to claim the 1999 WHOA Juvenile 11 and Under High Point Award, with a record eight blues and seven reserves at 13 horse shows. My Midnight Caller and Gavin enjoyed a successful 1999 season and subsequently MMC was sold to the Cecil Fielder family.
Plans were made for Gavin to show the family's newest purchase, Impressive Rising Sun in the 2000 Youth 12-17 ranks. However, Gavin and IRS didn't hit it off the way he and MMC had, so the family began their search for another horse. They found just what they were looking for in Pride's Sharp Dressed Man, and grandfather Charles Gavin purchased the mount with plans for he and Gavin to share the reins.
After a bit of an getting to know each other, Celebration 2000 saw Gavin claiming his highest accolade in the horse business to date on Sharp. Gavin and Pride's Sharp Dressed Man earned the Owner/Amateur Novice Youth Riders On Walking Mares and Geldings, Specialty, 17 and Under World Championship title. "There were so many other experienced world champion riders in the 12-14 year old division so we felt Gavin would have a better opportunity to make a good ride in the novice class," says Tamara. She goes on to say the family had no visions of grandeur and were just hoping Gavin and Sharp would have a good, smart, safe ride.The pair seemed to really gel the week prior to the Celebration and this was evident by their world championship ride. Gavin's sense of humor is one of his compensating tools and it can pop up unexpectedly. For instance, when asked about his championship ride, Gavin replied, "You know ... it was N-U-F. You know, FUN!
Tamara is quick to give credit to Gavin's trainer, Mickey McCormick, for his patience with Gavin and the confidence he shows in him. She says of McCormick, "It's a real credit to a horse trainer who is also a horseman trainer as well." McCormick is quick to praise Gavin as a good horseman, "Gavin's really come a long way. Riding horses is something he is really good at and can excel in. There's something about when you set him up on a horse. He can really relate."
Gavin loves all aspects of the horse business. Besides trail riding and showing, he also enjoys the breeding aspect. Grandparents Charles and Carol Ann are breeding and starting to show some of the colts by their stallions Bombay Pusher and Motown's Southern Lights. Gavin really loves watching and waiting for the new foals and would really like to start showing some of these Belle Meadow-bred and -raised offspring. Tamara says Gavin is always looking over the stallion directory and making selections for his grandparents' mares. Tamara says Gavin has the hardest time when the colts are sold. He just doesn't understand why Grandfather can't keep them all.
Another interest of Gavin's is gardening. His mom says he especially loves selecting new varieties. He accompanies his mom and grandmother to the nurseries and always finds something that neither of them have in their gardens. In the summer of 1998, Gavin grew tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, okra, eggplant and, of course, carrots for the horses. Last fall, his grandmother gave him gourd seeds, which he planted and then harvested over 100 gourds. With a little help from mom Tamara, he hollowed some of them out and spray painted them to make birdhouses for holiday gifts for his teachers.
Gavin and Tamara have collaborated on three books showcasing each of Gavin's passions. The first book, On My Grandfather's Farm, was put together about five years ago after Tamara began jotting down some of Gavin's ramblings following a spring break trail ride. The storybook of pictures was written by Gavin and Tamara about a boy trail riding on his grandfather's farm. Two other storybooks followed, both also in the Belle Meadow Farm setting. In My Grandmother's Garden is about a boy wandering through his grandmother's gardens and naming all the different varieties. Mares Are Moms and Foals Are Babies, on sale at World Champion Horse Equipment, is about all the things that make mares moms and foals babies. Gavin and Tamara are currently putting together a fourth book titled On A Summer Saturday Night, which is about going to the horse show. These books are a combined effort of mother and son with Tamara taking the photographs and she and Gavin developing the storyline together.
Gavin has a really loving and supportive family. In addition to his parents and grandparents, he is also close to his siblings, Connor and Gillian. All three children love time spent in Tennessee with their grandparents and the horses, as well as their independent interests. Connor is out-going, fun-loving, excels academically and loves sports. Connor has had his successes with science projects as well. He is presently starring as Joe Stoddard in his middle school's production of Our Town. Sister Gillian is, according to Tamara, a "social butterfly and a sweet, sweet, supportive sister." Gillian also enjoys showing horses, loves music and singing and song writing. She is involved in her high school's musical dance group, Razzle Dazzle, and they are preparing for upcoming competitions in Atlanta this spring.
Gavin Kasser is a special child in more ways than one. Each day involves challenges for Gavin, but with the love and support of his family, particularly his mom Tamara, Gavin continues to maximize his potential to the fullest. The strong bond between mother and son is easy to see when in their presence. It's also evident in their horsemanship skills. Trainer Dick Peebles recently commented, "You can tell whose child that is, even in the saddle."
"It's not hard for me to brag on my special Gav," says Tamara, "but then I'm a typical mom who's proud of each of her children's' independence and accomplishments."
So until Gavin's dreams all come true--dreams that include a move to Tennessee--he says he'll just keep riding and see you at the next horse show ... On a Summer Saturday Night!