They Don't Call It "Sweet Home Alabama" for Nothin'
A Report from the Trail    :: By Julie Dillon

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Always charming and delightful, Del Shields, Best of America By Horseback's resident cowboy singer, songwriter and poet took the lead to give us his Kansas-style songs and poetry depicting slices of life in and out of the saddle. His beautiful western ballads and light hearted stories are not to be missed.  Visiting guest singer Dawn Anita added a female touch to the evening with her country-western tunes.

Saturday morning brought a light rain. Not to be deterred, a dedicated group saddled up and headed out to enjoy the forest in its misting glory. Later, as the rain cleared, Ricky and Janet Whittemore, owners of Faye Whittemore Farm, were our guides as we traveled past striking rock formations, ferns and flowering mountain laurel, then through a spring fed creek. This was pleasure riding at its best as the cool breeze kept the sunlit day the perfect temperature for horse and rider alike.

Watching over us and bringing' up the rear were several members of the Outcast Riding Club. This fun-loving bunch had spent hundreds of volunteer hours grooming the trails just for this occasion. They were mounted on beautiful Paint Horses and looked like a picture postcard. Susie Hartley came riding her mare while her weanling foal followed along. Just weeks old, he was already learning the basics of becoming a seasoned trail mount and proving himself to be perfectly behaved. As we executed the switchbacks on the trail it was joyful for me to see an almost constant line of nodding heads as there were several groups of Tennessee Walking Horses in attendance.

Each rider anticipates the many opportunities to ride before the cameras set up at different locations throughout the ride. Behind the equipment and planning of each scene is Pat Seay, Tom's wife, Co-Producer and Director of the show. Pat keeps him and everyone else involved in focus. Her professional standards and talent has been evident to the film industry at large as Pat has been nominated for a CINE award for her cinematography and editing work on the Best of America By Horseback Show this year. Editor David Londrey also fills the many shoes of site selection, film and sound editing as well as coordinating and moving equipment of all kinds as needed throughout the process of creating each episode.   

"Jim-N-Nicks BBQ" of Jasper, Alabama, a local favorite provided a down-home and delicious meal of brisket and chicken with all the trimmings. During the meal, Del and Dawn Anita entertained everyone. After a dessert of coconut cream pie, tables were tucked away for the "Heaton Brothers Band" to provide us all with a chance to learn the foot-stomping Alabama version of the Electric Slide and Texas Two-Step.

Throughout the evening autographs were signed by Tom, Kerry, Del and the rest of the crew while a constant crowd formed around photographer Linda Caitlin's beautiful display of photographs. Pictures taken by Linda during the ride were made available and serve as lovely keepsakes of the memories made here. So many orders were placed that they kept Linda hopping until late into the evening!

Sunday's ride always begins with Cowboy Church as Del Shields leads worship and thanks for this wonderful weekend (yes, he is even a preacher!). Following the prayer service, Miranda Dobbins and Briana Littrell rode a colorful performance pattern and presented the flag. And to complete the morning ceremonies, David Frye touched us all by doing a beautiful job singing the National Anthem. Keeping the weekend schedule running like clockwork as well as coordinating this and every other detail of the BOABH Program is Michelle Turner. A brilliant and skilled facilitator as well as a strategist at heart, this lady handles every aspect of each event from Planning to Public Relations and Marketing.

Later, as the final hours on the trail quickly passed, it became clear to me that one would be hard-pressed to meet a happier bunch of folks as those at Janet and Ricky Whittemore's horse camping facility. Their staff was friendly and helpful, devoting hours of time and energy toward making this event a visit to be remembered by all. The riders come from all types of arenas and backgrounds for fellowship and camaraderie. Sharing their experiences, knowledge and love of horses creates a bond among trail riders that is enviable among other more competitive disciplines.

Regardless of how you spend your time with your horse, everyone should experience this relaxing and beautiful world of camping and riding. Tom Seay and the crew at Best of America By Horseback Television Show have truly been a blessing to our Tennessee Walking Horses as they have shared their growing spotlight and popularity with TWHBEA. As a proud owner of Tennessee Walking Horses, a member and Certified Instructor with TWHBEA, I am thrilled and proud to be a part of this wonderful show. As a breed organization, TWHBEA is truly fortunate to have the support of this top rated television show on RFD-TV. Please watch Tom Seay and his cast as they present to viewers from all over our great nation (now telecast in Europe as well) the beautiful country trails and culture of rural America.

In June, Tom and the crew will be at Midwest Trial Ride in Norman, Indiana where I will report on adventures as they occur. I'll look for you . . . perhaps you will be there!