reposted from The Shelbyville Times Gazette



Local horse trainer Dickie Gardner has racked up his 10th and 11th Trainer of the Year awards, which -- when combined with Crystal Deputy's Trainer of the Year honor in 2014 -- makes an even dozen for Dickie Gardner Stables.

Gardner was named the Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders Exhibitors Association Trainer of the Year and the National Spotted Saddle Horse Association Trainer of the Year in 2015. Deputy, who joined the Gardner operation three years ago as barn manager and trainer, was the 2014 SSHBEA Trainer of the Year.

The stable shows with six different organizations including SHOW, Walking Horse Owners of America, Pleasure Walking Horse Association of Tennessee, National Walking Horse Association, Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association and the National Spotted Saddle Horse Association.

"It's no doubt that Dickie Gardner Stables has had a very successful year," states a news release. "...We prepared, bathed and entered the ring a total of 640 times, claiming numerous blue ribbons with many World Championships. We have customers from 14 different states and putting their trust in us to do what we do best, our horses and riders carried out 25 sets of roses!"

Twins Cheyenne and Dakoda, taking after their proud father, both won championship divisions this year.

Gardner, whose facility is located on Whitaker Road near Wheel, was inducted into the SSHBEA Hall of Fame in 2010.

His website is dickiegardnerstables.com.