Eric Lackey – High Point, North Carolina

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN THE TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE INDUSTRY?
My father introduced me to the walking horse industry when I was eight-years-old! So way too long!

WHAT HORSES DO YOU CURRENTLY OWN AND WHO ARE THEY IN TRAINING WITH?
Beacon and I Am Melania-Wright Brothers Stables
Star Of Kash-Baucom Stables

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST WORLD GRAND CHAMPION AND WHY?
I Am José because he is such a natural talent that transcended three years of being tested by some of our industries greats! Not easy to win once much less three times.

IF THERE WAS ONE AREA OF THE INDUSTRY YOU COULD CHANGE OR RAMP UP, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
The image of our breed to the public. Sadly we have been pegged an unnatural breed when the exact opposite is true. We need an aggressive campaign to show all signs of our breed but most importantly the performance horse, as it is the show stopper for the industry. We need to show the advancements in breeding and how it has perfected the performance horse and how that transcends to all aspects of the breed.

IF YOU WERE NOT AT THE BARN OR A HORSE SHOW, WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME?
Probably would be at work, or maybe working out!

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TV SHOWS, MOVIES OR NETFLIX FEATURES HAVE YOU BEEN BINGE WATCHING DURING THE PANDEMIC?
Not much of a binge TV watcher, but did a lot of channel surfing!

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR SHOW CAREER THUS FAR?
Winning that first world championship on San Juan in 2003! For someone who had shown for many decades this was a true milestone!

WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM CAN YOU GIVE TO THE HORSE INDUSTRY ON THE PANDEMIC?
We need to keep focused on expanding our industry through every facet and division. And continue to be proactive in fighting the forces that continue to try to abolish our show horse. So simply we need to PROMOTE our breed!