Our News Home Page Our News Archives

UT Honors The Tennessee Walking Horse and The 4-H Program
Wednesday, November 7, 2012




The University of Tennessee in Knoxville celebrated its annual homecoming on Saturday, November 3, 2012. Among the many activities, the University honored the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act which established the highly successful 4-H Program for the youth of Tennessee.
 
A Tennessee Walking Horse with an accomplished 4-H rider was to be chosen to circle the football field before the beginning of the game. Dr. Bridgett McIntosh, Extension Equine Specialist for the State of Tennessee, contacted Faye Lynn Coffey to recommend a top 4-H team. Four-H rider Kimbrell Hines and her equine partner, A Daring Affair, were selected for this honor.
 
Kimbrell is the 17-year-old daughter of Kristin and Vaden Hines and is a high-school senior from Winchester, Tenn. She is a talented young horsewoman,  a participant in many pleasure horse shows, and an outstanding competitor in the 4-H program, having advanced through the ranks to claim top honors in halter, rail, and equitation classes. Kimbrell and A Daring Affair have won the Tennessee State 4-H High Point Award and the Reserve High Point Award in the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships. 
 
A Daring Affair, a thirteen-year-old registered TWH is out of Eb’s Champagne Velvet and a granddaughter of world champion two-year old Champagne Lady Diane and by Middle Tennessee State University stallion, Hey Dare. A product of selective breeding, A Daring Affair, affectionately known as Summer, was bred, raised, owned, and loved by Faye Lynn Coffey. A Daring Affair has had a successful show ring career in the lite-shod division, and has won High Point and Reserve High Point Awards on two occasions at the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships. The Southern Regionals are a five-day event, with qualifying riders invited to participate from thirteen states, with approximately 1,000 entries.
 
Faye Lynn Coffey has been Kimbrell’s riding instructor for three years. Coffey said Kimbrell and A Daring Affair had spent numerous hours year-round in the heat and the freezing temperatures to develop a skilled, knowledgeable, and cohesive partnership. The honor and privilege of being chosen to represent the TWH and 4-H at the UT Homecoming was a once in a lifetime experience and a fitting reward for their persistent efforts. A beautiful rider and a beautiful horse on a beautiful day!
 
Coffey, a former Moore County, Tenn. 4-H member in the horse and beef programs, has guided many riders to multiple world grand championship titles in the Equitation division. She serves on the Tennessee State 4-H Horse Advisory Board, is a certified riding instructor, assistant coach with the MTSU Equestrian Team, and a strong supporter of youth programs. Coffey appreciates the investment the University of Tennessee makes in the youth of Tennessee through the 4-H Program and highly recommends it to those who are interested.

More Stories