Wanda Goodson – Dawsonville, Georgia
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN THE TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE INDUSTRY?
Daddy bought me my first walking horse in 1961. We took our first show horses to Ray Tenpenny in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. My sister and I spent the summer in 1964 at the Walking Horse Hotel and worked with Mr. Tenpenny starting colts. I was 16 and she was 14. Times were much different then. We bought
a gelding from Mr. Tennpenny, Cheerleader’s Sun. In 1964, I went to my first Celebration and haven’t missed one since. There at the Sale of Show Ring Champions we bought a pure white mare named Sultan’s White Angel, by Silver Sultan. We put her in training with Harold Kennedy at the Davis Brother’s barn in Cartersville, Georgia. We then had horses for years with Coy Claxton in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
WHAT HORSES DO YOU CURRENTLY OWN AND WHO ARE THEY IN TRAINING WITH?
Our horses are with Dickie and Sonny Scrivner in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. One day, Sonny and I were talking and I mentioned Sultan’s White Angel to him and we discovered that he had started that very mare in Mississippi in the early 1960’s!! We have several mares and foals. My heart horse is A Final Call. After the death of my Jefe’ last August, I purchased a new prospect, Gin Buzz. I'm looking forward to showing him when show season starts up!
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST WORLD GRAND CHAMPION AND WHY?
There was never one as exciting to me as Pride’s Secret Threat until Honors came along.
IF THERE WAS ONE AREA OF THE INDUSTRY YOU COULD CHANGE OR RAMP UP, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Making the industry more assessable to small owners like me. When we first got into the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry, everyone had a small barn and a TWH show horse behind their house that they worked themselves. When they went to the shows on Saturday night, they knew they had a chance of getting a ribbon. Now the perception is that it is a rich man’s game and closed to everyone else.
IF YOU WERE NOT AT THE BARN OR A HORSE SHOW, WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME?
At a dog show or agility trial. I breed and show Boston Terrier dogs in Conformation and Agility. One of my dogs won Best of Breed at the Westminster Kennel Club show. I have been an instructor for obedience and agility dogs for many years.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TV SHOWS, MOVIES OR NETFLIX FEATURES HAVE YOU BEEN BINGE WATCHING DURING THE PANDEMIC?
Reign, The Tutors and The Last Kingdom. I like historical dramas.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR SHOW CAREER THUS FAR?
Placing 6th at last year's Celebration in the Show Pleasure class on A Final Call.
WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM CAN YOU GIVE TO THE HORSE INDUSTRY ON THE PANDEMIC?
This is all a bump in the road. Give it to God. Life will go on and with it, HORSE SHOWS!!