WHR: Tell me about yourself as though we were meeting for the first time.
Brown: My name is Ashtyn Claire Brown and I am 11 years old and in the 6th grade at Columbia Academy, in Columbia, Tennessee. I live in Culleoka, Tennessee with my mom and dad, Carla and Barrow Brown. We live on our farm, Plainview, with all our horses, cows and my three dogs, Emme, Valley and Sway. I got my first pony when I was 2, her name is Gray and she still lives with us. I like to play softball and swim and the most important thing in my life is GOD.
WHR: How did you get started in the horse business.
Brown: My Mom and Dad bought me a lead line pony and his name was Rattle & Snap and in 2012 I won the Lead Line World Grand Championship, which started my love for showing. After that, I got my first flat shod horse, Shimmer, and I showed her for a few years. We won a Reserve World Championship together in Country Pleasure.
WHR: What do you love most about showing?
Brown: I love the thrill and competitiveness about it.
WHR: Who is your favorite horse of all-time? This can be a horse you’ve shown or simply one that you’ve seen perform and loved.
Brown: Honors because I think he is the greatest horse of all time, but I love my horses, Dixie Rita, Memphis Raines and my trail horse Luke the most.
WHR: Besides actually showing itself, what aspects of the horse show world do you most enjoy?
Brown: I like helping with the horses in the warm up ring and I like watching the show and tying the classes. I’m competing on the 4-H judging team this year at the Celebration.
WHR: Who are your trainers? Tell me a little about them.
Brown: Philip Trimble and Vince Pruitt at Philip Trimble Stables are my trainers. I worked at the barn three days a week this summer and they taught me to be a better rider, how to work with the horses in the cross ties, and to appreciate how hard they work every day. It was fun though!
WHR: What has been your most memorable moment in the show ring?
Brown: My win at the Columbia Spring Jubilee this year on Memphis Raines.
WHR: What do you want to do when you grow up for your career?
Brown: I want to be a Veterinarian and specialize in horses.
WHR: What is something you want to learn more about?
Brown: I like history and want to study about Greek Mythology.
WHR: Who is someone you admire and why?
Brown: I admire my mom because she is a godly Christian and always puts her family first, and she is a hardworking mother and wife.
WHR: What is a motto or philosophy that you try to live by?
Brown: Never give up because you would never know what potential you could have reached. Also, Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths.
WHR: What is one of your goals for the upcoming year?
Brown: To be baptized and become a Christian.
WHR: What is something about you that your horse friends might not know or would be surprised to learn?
Brown: I also ride cutting horses. Mr. Philip is working with me on this.