Walking Horse Trainer Salute: Billy Young
Friday, May 1, 2020

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Billy Young – Shelbyville, Tennessee

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING HORSES PROFESSIONALLY?
I have been training horses for 50 plus years.

TELL US SOME FAMILY HISTORY OF RAISING AND SHOWING WALKING HORSES.
My grandfather and father were both involved in the horse business.

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?
Mark For Me is the horse that will always have a special place in my heart.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG ASPIRING TRAINERS?
Be committed, be honest and remember that people you meet on your way up will be some of the same people you meet on your way down.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN THE PERFECT YEARLING?
I look for breeding, conformation and a willingness to please.

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?
This crisis has reminded us all how fragile life is. We have limited visitors to the barn. If customers want to see their horses just call and we will work their horse with everyone maintaining a safe distance.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST WORLD GRAND CHAMPION AND WHY?
Honors, I had the privilege of being around him some and he is the smartest horse I have ever been around.

IF THERE WAS ONE AREA OF THE INDUSTRY YOU COULD CHANGE OR RAMP UP, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
We must do something to get more people involved with horses.

IF YOU WERE NOT AT THE BARN OR A HORSE SHOW, WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME?
Playing golf

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TV SHOWS, MOVIES OR NETFLIX FEATURES HAVE YOU BEEN BINGE WATCHING DURING THE PANDEMIC?
I am a bit of a news junkie so I don’t do much binge watching TV.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER THUS FAR?
Winning two world championships on the same night with All American Cash and Papa’s Smoking Pusher.

WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM CAN YOU GIVE TO THE HORSE INDUSTRY ON THE PANDEMIC?
Stay safe, respect others opinions and don’t start the show season until it is safe to do so.

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