Walking & Winning -
The Family Way

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By Sarah Gee
© Voice, June 2006

Tennessee Walking Horses are truly a family endeavor for the Hess family of Harrisonburg, Virginia. High school sweethearts C.M. and Connie Hess have been married 15 years. C.M. has worked in law enforcement for 19 years and currently holds the rank of Major or Chief Deputy with the Rockingham County Sheriffs Department. After spending several years as a stock broker with American Express Financial Advisors, Connie is now a partner in and the general manager for Valley Engineering Surveying Planning. Their only child, Lindsay, is currently a straight A student in the fifth grade at Lacey Spring Elementary School where she enjoys volleyball, basketball, and hanging out with her friends. Of Lindsay, Connie remarks, “She is very focused, when she sets her mind to something there’s no stopping her.” Considering the Hess’ success in the walking horse industry it would probably be safe to say that focus is a family trait.

The Hess’ walking horse habit started shortly after Lindsay’s birth when C.M. and Connie visited the farm of one of C.M.’s childhood friends. The friend had been around walking horses his entire life and had no problem selling C.M. and Connie on the breed. Within 60 days of their visit, they had their first horse. In the beginning, the family stuck to trail riding with Lindsay sitting on the saddle in front of Connie. Then, when Lindsay was about seven years old, she began expressing an interest in showing. The family started hitting some local shows and from there, Connie says, it just blossomed.

Connie recalls, “At our first Celebration we saw Margaret Beech win with My Jackie O. I was so impressed. I loved that horse and I loved the way she and Margaret were turned out. I told C.M., ‘I want that to be Lindsay one day.’ Everyone said we wouldn’t be able to do it. I hate when someone tells me I can’t do something. It just makes me that much more determined.”

Mother and daughter looking very dapper in their riding suits.

They Call Me Doc, a gelding raised by Sam Sorrell, was Lindsay’s first performance show horse. He proved to be an excellent teacher, carrying Lindsay to numerous blues at shows such as the Virginia Celebration, Land O Sky, and the Smoky Mountain Classic. He also carried Connie to a blue at the 2002 Smoky Mountain Classic. Retired in 2005, he now keeps the mares company at the Hess’ Zenda Hill Farm.

Lindsay’s next horse was Razzamatazz Jazz. Lindsay directed him to several good finishes in 2004 and enjoyed four blue ribbon rides with him in 2005.

The Hess’ current string of show horses includes She’s Push In Command (a.k.a. Harley), Miss Dumas Ebony, and Chopper, a very promising coming two-year-old full brother to Harley.

In 2003, the Hess’ had their horses in training with Steve Hankins and Lindsay’s very favorite horse at that time was Steve’s open contender Push In Command. Knowing of Lindsay’s admiration for Push In Command, Connie decided to do some research. She made two important discoveries, first that Johnnie and Harriet Abrams had raised Push In Command and second that Mr. & Mrs. Abrams had a yearling full sister to Push In Command named She’s Push In Command. Connie contacted the Abrams and set about trying to set up a time to look at the filly. When she finally got the time set, Connie’s schedule prevented her from making the trip to the Abrams’ farm. Instead, a somewhat skeptical Steve Hankins agreed to go. Steve looked at the filly and was totally impressed calling her the nicest filly he’d ever seen in his life. According to Steve, her only fault was that she was kind of small for her age. Connie bought She’s Push In Command and brought her home to Zenda Hill Farm to let her grow.

She’s Push In Command being a somewhat lengthy name, the Hess’ set about trying to come up with a barn name for their new acquisition. Around this same time, C.M.’s dad, who had recently developed a passion for biking and had bought a Harley Davidson, was diagnosed with cancer. His cancer diagnosis encouraged C.M., Connie, and Lindsay to dub their new filly Harley in his honor. C.M.’s dad passed away 10 months later. Connie relates, “Harley will always be special to us because of that link to C.M.’s dad.”

Small as a yearling and two-year-old, Harley was brought along slowly and not shown until 2005 when she was three years old. The now 17 hand filly proved well worth the wait as trainer Chad Baucom directed her to wins at the South Carolina Ladies’ Auxiliary Spring Show, Stanley County Saddle Club Show, East Tennessee Classic, and the Tazewell County Classic.

Capping the season in fine fashion, Harley carried Connie to a 2005 Owner/Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings World Championship. Discussing that experience, Connie states, “I had only ridden Harley twice prior to winning at the Celebration. I had been having some medical problems last year and the Tuesday before we left for Shelbyville the doctors found a spot on my spinal cord, they were pretty sure I had Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.). When I rode Harley at the Celebration, I could barely feel my feet and I had no feeling in my right hand. She carried me through the class and I am so grateful to her. When I realized we’d won the class I knew it was a big trade off, I knew I had M.S. I knew that God had let me have this awesome experience so I’d know that life could continue, even with M.S. Because of that, Harley will always represent hope for me. Because she is so special, I would love for Lindsay to win a world championship on her as well.”

Miss Dumas Ebony and Lindsay Hess
make their victory lap in Asheville, North Carolina.

The Hess’ purchased Miss Dumas Ebony in the fall of 2004. Connie recalls, “Winky and Sheila Groover brought her to North Carolina State Championships for us. It was a hazy morning and when Lindsay rode her it was like they were riding up out of the shadows. It was like it was meant to be. She and Lindsay seemed to really click.” Click indeed, Lindsay and Miss Dumas Ebony made a blue ribbon winning debut at the 2004 North Carolina State Championships. They followed up with a blue at the East Tennessee Classic. In 2005 they collected eight blues and the 11 & Under Reserve World Grand Championship.

The Hess’ plans for 2006 include having Chad show Chopper in the two-year-old division and having Lindsay show both Miss Dumas Ebony and Harley. Connie remarks, “It’s not really about me or C.M., it’s all about Lindsay. I’ll take whatever’s left over. Lindsay has learned so many of life’s lessons showing horses; how to win, how to lose, how to be gracious, how to be humble, how to dig down deep and give it everything you’ve got, and how to be proud of yourself for who you are!”

Horses truly are a family activity for the Hess’. They’re about loading up the motor home and setting out on the show circuit, they’re about supporting and encouraging each other, and, more than anything, they’re about just being together as a family. No doubt great things await this outstanding walking horse family.