Bailey Momb – Shelbyville, Tennessee
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING HORSES PROFESSIONALLY?
I got my trainers license when I was 19 years old, so 10 years!
TELL US SOME FAMILY HISTORY OF RAISING AND SHOWING WALKING HORSES.
I’m the first in my family to train and show Tennessee Walking Horses. Now my mom is pretty involved and recently began showing again. Last year she won her first Tennessee blue ribbon at Columbia aboard Confederate Darling!
OF ALL THE HORSES YOU HAVE TRAINED, OPEN AND AMATEUR, DO YOU HAVE A HORSE YOU FEEL MADE YOU INTO THE TRAINER YOU ARE TODAY? WHAT HORSE WAS THAT AND WHY DO FEEL THAT WAY?
Probably Nite Night, Nite's Destiny and my personal youth horse Cascade's Kamielle! In Oregon we didn’t have hundreds of colts to choose from every year, I had to bring out the very best of every horse I was asked to train and I learned a lot from each one. As far as my career myself in the show ring, I think I began getting noticed when I first showed and won on Habenero Picante in the Two Year-Old Trail Pleasure class at Christmas In July 2018!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG ASPIRING TRAINERS?
Watch! If you see a trainer riding horses that you like the way they are trained, watch them. Learn from as many people and trainers and you can to form your own style. I learned so much watching trainers like Diane Gueck, Laurie Toone, Hannah Myatt, Allison Smart and many others to become the trainer I am today. I encourage you to ride other breeds and learn the basics of horsemanship as well. That will lay the foundation for any horse. Don’t forget to learn from the horses. A talented horse will teach you so many things!
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN THE PERFECT YEARLING?
I’m very picky, you can ask Joe Lester! For a flatshod prospect I want to see them slink walk around with a crooked back leg, I’d rather see them a tad on the pacy side myself since I’m better at squaring a horse than swinging one. We look at bloodlines too but that’s not everything. We really like Jose’ Jose’ and Gen’s Black Gin.
HOW ARE YOU MANAGING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK? IS YOUR BARN ON LOCKDOWN? ARE YOU STILL HOLDING YOUR REGULAR CLIENT APPOINTMENTS? HOW HAS THIS AFFECTED YOUR TRAINING?
We aren’t encouraging large gatherings at the barn but we are still taking appointments. We are trying our best to be careful. If we get sick then no one will get to ride! We are still here everyday keeping horses ridden so they will be ready to go when shows resume!
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST WORLD GRAND CHAMPION AND WHY?
Gen A’Mighty! Why? Have you seen his back leg! I remember Taylor Walters saying how good Jimmy had him the morning before and then he sure proved it that night in the ring! I’m very impressed with my colt sired by Gen A’ Mighty I think he will be a great sire.
IF THERE WAS ONE AREA OF THE INDUSTRY YOU COULD CHANGE OR RAMP UP, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
I want to see people stop bashing naturally talented horses. I also would like to see everyone be more supportive and encouraging to each other.
IF YOU WERE NOT AT THE BARN OR A HORSE SHOW, WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME?
Going to the gym or hanging out around the pool with all of our friends! Lately we have been doing a lot of DIY projects. I also spend some of my free time crocheting projects for friends and family.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TV SHOWS, MOVIES OR NETFLIX FEATURES HAVE YOU BEEN BINGE WATCHING DURING THE PANDEMIC?
Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Tiger King, and Law and Order SVU
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER THUS FAR?
Winning two back-to-back world championships in the Two-Year-Old Trail Pleasure division on horses bred,
raised and trained here at Christmas Creek Farms! The horses were Habenero Picante and Scandalous!
WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM CAN YOU GIVE TO THE HORSE INDUSTRY ON THE PANDEMIC?
We are all in this together, just hang in there and wash your hands! If you’re older, sick or more susceptible to the disease, stay home. Horse shows will always be there, we just need to be patient.