(Editor’s Note: The following Q&A took place between Walking Horse Report Editorial Director Sadie Fowler and Zane Bullock.)
WHR: Tell me about yourself.
Zane: I am nine years old and am in third grade at Mt. Vernon Elementary. I love horse showing, playing Mind Craft, Pokemon, Nerf, and playing outdoors. I live on a farm with my family in Mount Vernon, Kentucky. I own four horses including Jazz Line, I’m King James, Attaway Jose and Hole In My Pocket. I have a Labrador named war hammer. I never meet a stranger. I like to talk to lots of people.
WHR: Tell me about your journey into the horse business. How did you get started?
Zane: I started riding at less than two in the lead line. I first showed a miniature pony named cupcake before getting a slightly larger pony named I’m Little Richard. That was the first horse I showed at the celebration. I started riding alone on Gigi’s finally Friday at Hankins stables. I rode him the first time when I was three. I showed alone the first time when I was six and won both classes I showed in that night.
WHR: What do you most love about the Tennessee Walking Horse?
Zane: I really love to ride my horses. No matter which one I get to ride, it is always fun. I enjoy most getting to compete at different shows on my horses. I love that walking horses are so gentle that even kids can get to participate.
WHR: Who is your favorite horse and why?
Zane: That is a toss up right now. Of course my favorite has to be one of my boys. I’m King James helped my win a world championship and he is the most fun one I have to ride. However my two-year-old name Hole in My Pocket is so awesome. I look forward to getting to ride him once he is ready.
WHR: Besides the actual “riding” part of horse shows, what other aspects about showing horses do you enjoy?
Zane: I love going to shows and getting to play with friends. I love traveling with my dad and sister Davany. She is definitely one of my best friends. I enjoy eating at the concession stands especially the ice cream stand at celebration. My neighbor Charlie and I eat all the ice cream we can.
WHR: Who are your trainers and what have they taught you?
Zane: I have three trainers. First is the crew at Hankins stables. They have all been good to me and have taught me to ride. Jennifer has made sure I rode the right way. Jamie helped me to learn to ride my first performance horse and was always encouraging. He trained King James when I won the celebration. Claire has helped me to have fun while riding and also been a fan. Ryan Blackburn at cottonwood farms now has I’m King James. He is very patient and cares that I do well. He is always encouraging and always tries to put me in the ring the best he can. Also he has done an awesome job with my two-year-old. Robby Bradley has my other flat shod horse named Attaway José. He is always there for me to ride and makes riding fun.
WHR: What is your favorite memory from the show ring?
Zane: My most special time in the show ring is winning the celebration. It was awesome. I had sold my pony and bought I’m King James. It was so much fun to win a world championship only the second time I had ever showed him.
WHR: What’s do you want to do when you grow up for your career?
Zane: My plans now are to be a horse trainer. I want to learn all I can about riding so I can teach people to ride.
WHR: What’s something new you would like to learn?
Zane: maybe finish learning to canter a horse.
WHR: Who is someone you admire and why?
Zane: My mom because she is awesome. She always loves us no matter and always wants us to be happy.
WHR: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone new to the walking horse industry?
Zane: Start young and stick with it, always try hard and get a good horse.
WHR: What is one of your goals for the upcoming show season?
Zane: I look forward to the Celebration all year long. I am striving to win the next world championship and look forward to showing in a world grand championship class. Outside of horses I hope to upgrade my Nerf arsenal and want to go farther in Mind Craft.