by Amanda E. West | Aug 13, 2024 | Stories
ANTICIPATION FILLS the air like the smell of donuts, onion rings, and smoked brisket. As the gate opens, a hush falls over the crowd. A snow-white Tennessee walking horse carrying a rider adorned in a navy blue suit coat and trousers enters the arena. The American...
by Amanda E. West | Aug 13, 2024 | Stories
JOHN ALLAN Callaway is the only trainer in the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration (TWHNC) history to win the World Grand Championship four years in a row. In fact, the name “Callaway” has been synonymous with World Grand Champions since John Allan’s dad,...
by Amanda E. West | Aug 13, 2024 | Stories
TEN-YEAR-OLD J. French Brantley IV scooted to the edge of the seat and gazed toward the organist in the center of the arena. The melodies flowing from Larry Bright’s fingers carried J. to an imaginary arena where he was surrounded by hundreds — no, thousands — of...
by Amanda E. West | Nov 11, 2023 | Stories
BETH NICOLAY dedicated 31 years to raising her five children. Originally from Ohio, Nicolay dined at the Barrelhouse BBQ in Lynchburg while visiting her oldest daughter and grandchildren five years ago. That’s where she met the owner, Chuck Baker, and their lives...
by Amanda E. West | Aug 12, 2023 | Cover
IT WAS a Friday evening in early June, and varsity baseball player Jaxon Sheffield had recently graduated from Cascade High School (CHS). Most young men his age might be out on the town celebrating with friends, but not Sheffield. Instead, he reminisced about why his...
