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OUTSTANDING STUDENT: Ashley Gray
2020 graduate of Montverde Academy.
INTERVIEWER: LEIGH NEELY • PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL
When did you start riding horses?
My dad started me riding with him before I could walk. I’ve always been around horses, so, of course, I fell in love. My dad also rides and does competitions. It’s a great family hobby. I began doing shows at a very young age, and I’ve always worked with Tennessee Walking Horses. I’m with Carrie Martin, my trainer, in Lewisburg, Tennessee.
How many championships have you won?
I’ve won four World Championships and one World Grand Championship.
What’s the most important aspect of working with Tennessee Walking Horses?
It’s just about learning your horses and connecting with them. My dad and I ride very differently. You must have the trust, so both you and the horse are comfortable. It’s a team e ort.
Do you have a specific riding outfit?
You can wear western, where you wear a cowboy hat, western-collared shirt, jeans, and your chaps on top. For English, you have the helmet, the button-up shirt, the coat, and the nice slacks. They are quite different. For the horses, the bridle and saddles change depending on how you dress. We ride at-shod horses, which means they don’t have pads on the bottom of their hooves, so we can wear both.
Favorite quote?
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Chrissy Teigen, because she’s very positive and uplifting and seems very funny.
Future plans?
International University in Miami for a degree in marketing and communications.
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