I am a... National Examiner

Deb Willson

I took my first riding lesson at Fort Benning, GA, where my father was stationed. I rode once a week on lesson horses and eventually joined the Benning Pony Club. I spent the next ten years with the BPC and received my A in 1975.

I’ve been a professional in the horse business since I was 18, and with the exception of my freshman year of college, at the University of TN. I’ve taught and trained for a living. Now, although I’m semi-retired from the horse business, I’m still very involved with Pony Club as a National Examiner, clinician and involved with several local Pony Clubs.

Helping to get the Hunter Seat Equitation track started in Pony Club was a career highlight for me. I had a group of students that were Eventing but also a group competing in the hunters, jumpers and equitation and also involved in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA). Once the HSE track was started, it gave them a path through the Club/Center level certifications and then to the upper level Show Jumping track.