Training and Showing
The Whittles:
Annette and Mitch Whittle's family love Appaloosa Horses. Annette has had them since she was 9 years old. "I was a package deal" said Annette, "when Mitch married me, he got the horses too." Mitch grew up on a dairy farm. "He became a horseman," Annette added.
The Whittle family lives in Anderson County where Annette is the KEEP County Team Leader. "Just A Whittle Farm" is located on 10 ½ acres, just a few miles South of Lawrenceburg, where they have 14 head of horses. "All but two are Appaloosas," says Annette, " the one Quarter Horse mare is just such a good trail riding mare I had to keep her, even though she doesn't have spots." Even she was bred to their Appaloosa stallion, Mr. Prospector, and delivered them a beautiful Appaloosa Palomino foal. The other Quarter Horse is a gelding purchased just a year ago, for Annette's youngest daughter, Chelsea, to ride in reining competitions.
This is a family affair for Mitch and Annette and their two girls, Jennifer, 22 and Chelsea, 17 " who see spots, also". Both girls grew up showing their Appaloosa horses at local horse shows and in 4-H Horse Shows, where they have proven themselves with multiple titles and top 5 wins at the State level. But that is not where their love of horses ends. Jennifer has many National 4-H Horse accomplishments; 1st in 2005 for the National 4-H Horse Team Demonstration, 8th High Individual in Hippology in 2004 and on the 3rd place National Horse Bowl Team in 2003. In the past she has assisted with running the Nan Tippin Classic Appaloosa Horse Show in September each year. Jennifer recently graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Agricultural Communications. She is currently working for eXtension Horse Quest, which provides research-based information from Land Grant institutions and places it online for the public. She is also pursuing a Masters degree from UK in Career, Technical, and Leadership Education.
Chelsea is not being upstaged by her big sister. She has a few trophies of her own. During her 4-H career she has earned the title of High Point Individual at her District 4-H Horse Show and has placed in the top 10 several times at the State 4-H Horse Show. In 2008, Chelsea was Reserve National champion in public speaking at the Eastern Nationals 4-H Roundup. In 2009, she continued her success and represented Kentucky with her 4-H Horse demonstration about colic at National 4-H competitions. She placed 4th individually at the national competition and was champion at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Chelsea has three more years of eligibility in 4-H in which she plans to continue competing and representing the State.
Mitch and Annette don't just sit by and "have" horses…they "live" horses. Annette and Mitch are both active members in two Kentucky Appaloosa clubs, the Bluegrass State Appaloosa Club and the Kentucky Appaloosa Owners Association, a group they helped form in 2006 to utilize the KY Breeders Incentive Funds. Along with this they are both active members of their home church, Salvisa Baptist Church. In their spare time they are active supporters and members of KEEP.
Mitch and Annette also carry their connection with the horse industry into their careers as well. Mitch is the FSA Farm Loan Program Chief in Kentucky. He manages the USDA's Farm Loan Program in the state, which offers financial assistance for family-sized operations as "the lender of first opportunity". Annette is an employee for Farm Credit Services in Shelbyville, KY. Through their jobs, both Mitch and Annette are able assist individuals with their farm credit needs, which may be equine related.
When asked why they thought Appaloosa horses were so special, Annette did not hesitate to answer. "Because, there are no two alike." The girls, Jennifer and Chelsea, just love having horses in their lives.
Jennifer enjoys the relationship aspect of owning horses. "When I have had a really tough day, I know I can always go to the barn and my horse will be there, just waiting," she said.
"Horses teach you about responsibility," shared Chelsea. "Owning and caring for horses has helped me to learn how to balance my responsibilities between home and school, and has helped me to excel."
For the Whittle family, Appaloosa horses are more than just the horses they happen to own. They take pride in every aspect of the Appaloosa horse industry in Kentucky. If you would like more information about the Appaloosa or the affiliated clubs in Kentucky, you can contact the Whittles by email: justapps@gmail.com. They always have time to talk about the breed.