(Editor’s Note: The following Q&A took place between Walking Horse Report Editorial Director Sadie Fowler and Rylee Nichols.)

WHR: Tell me about yourself:

Nichols: My name is Rylee Nichols. I enjoy showing Tennessee Walking Horses and Missouri Foxtrotters. I also enjoy playing softball.

WHR: Tell me about your journey into the horse business. How did you get started?

Nichols: I was born into it and started showing when I was about 18 months old in the lead line class. I am the fourth generation of my family to show.

WHR: What do you love most about the TWH and why?

Nichols: Their personalities and their different markings.

WHR: Who is your favorite horse of all time and why? (This can be a horse you own or simply one you admire)

Nichols: Copy’s Golden Boy. He was the horse I learned to ride on and the first horse that I showed on.

WHR: Besides the actual “riding” part of horse shows, what other aspects about horse shows do you enjoy and why?

Nichols: Hanging out with friends and having Cherry Sundrop that we don’t have in Missouri.

WHR: Who are your trainers and what have they taught you?

Nichols: Edgar Abernathy and Clayton Davis. They both have taught me to “slow down.” My dad and my grandparents also are my trainers and they have taught me to “ride hard” and love my horses.

WHR: What is your favorite memory from the show ring?

Nichols: The year that I won Overall High Point Horse in three different association’s on Copy’s Golden Boy.

WHR: What do you want to do as a career when you grow up?

Nichols: I want to be a veterinarian.

WHR: What is something not related to horses that you would like to learn if you could?

Nichols: I want to learn to do agility courses with my dog.

WHR: Who is someone you admire and why?

Nichols: My dad, Brian, because he taught me to ride, he is funny and a great dad.

WHR: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone new to the walking horse industry and why?

Nichols: To have fun and get a horse you love … Because it’s about having fun.

WHR: What is one of your goals for the year ahead?

Nichols: To do good at the Celebration.

WHR: What is something the horse world would be surprised to learn about you?

Nichols: I have won five garlands showing two Missouri Foxtrotters. They are named April’s Powerstroke N and the other is Hit Me.

WHR: If you could eat dinner with one famous person, who would it be, where would you go and what would you eat? And … why this person?

Nichols: I would want to eat with Miranda Lambert and have Mexican food. I really enjoy her music.