Amy Nesius -

A Bright Future Indeed

See More Cover Stories

By Sarah Gee
© Voice, June 2007

Known for her elegance and style as a top equitation competitor, 16-year-old Amy Nesius truly embodies that rare combination of hard-work, dedication, and natural talent that defines a genuine all-around horsewoman. She is the only daughter of Rick and Shannon Nesius. She has two older brothers, Zach and Josh, and a nephew, Adrian, that she absolutely adores. Amy just completed her sophomore year at Community High School in Unionville, Tennessee, were she sports a straight A average and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is an avid volleyball player and baseball fan.

Horse crazy at an early age, Amy began riding when she was seven. Her first horse, Jack, was a Quarter Horse gelding trained for hunter jumper competition. From him, Amy learned how to use her hands and how to achieve a balanced seat – two skills that would serve her well down the road. Amy rode Jack in riding lessons and it wasn’t long before her instructor was encouraging Amy to give equitation a try.

Wanting to support and encourage their daughter in every way they could, Rick and Shannon began researching their options. Shannon’s desire to ride had caused the family to purchase a Tennessee Walking Horse and their experience with that horse piqued their interest in the breed. Soon they were looking for a Tennessee Walking Horse for Amy to show.

In 2005, Amy made her first show ring appearance aboard a Tennessee Walking Horse under Faye Lynn Coffey’s direction in the TWHBEA/WHOA Academy program. Amy went on that year to earn a top tie in the Academy 12-14 Flat Shod Specialty Championship. She was ready to set her sights higher.

By the summer of 2005, Amy was a regular in equitation classes with her mare Pusher’s Diamond Dust. That year she made two victory passes, earned two reserve ties at the International, and brought home fourth and fifth place ribbons from the Celebration. She was just warming up.

Amy has excelled in the youth performance division with FDR

2006 was truly a year to remember for the Nesius family. Early in the year, they purchased FDR so Amy could branch out into performance youth competition. Amy rode FDR for the first time on January 17, 2006, her 15th birthday. They made their first show together at the South Alabama Charity Horse Show and won the Youth 12-17 class. At that same show, Amy won the Amateur Two-Year-Old Stallion class with General Kennedy, a horse bred and raised by the Nesius family. A third Alabama blue in the equitation class, and Amy’s year was off to an incredible start. She went on to collect five more blue ribbons before taking the Celebration by storm.

Of the 2006 Celebration, Amy says, “We had the best Celebration ever last year.” Considering her accomplishments during the 11 day period, that may very well be an understatement. Following the 2006 Moneytree Classic, the decision was made for Amy to change equitation mounts. She and instructor Jaclyn Williams decided upon Sarah Smith’s Himself. With limited time together as a team, Amy rode Himself to the Auxiliary Equitation Medal 12-14 World Championship and the Auxiliary Equitation Youth Medal World Grand Championship. She also showed General Kennedy to the Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings Reserve World Championship. Cap all that off with the Best Show Ring Attire-Youth award, and you have one memorable Celebration.

As the 2007 show season gets into full swing, Amy has already made her first blue ribbon ride aboard FDR at the Bedford 4-H Show. No doubt, it was just the first of many.

Even with all the success she’s enjoyed during the past three years, Amy is the first person to say that it isn’t all about the blue ribbons. For Amy it’s all about the horses and competing to the best of her ability. She says, “Wherever I place, if I’ve made a good show then I’m happy. I like getting placed were I deserve and I like giving the audience a good show, after all that’s what they’re there to see.” Discussing her passion for equitation, Amy states, “I love showing equitation. I love the pressure of showing equitation. There is such a sense of personal accomplishment.”

The Nesius’ have high hopes for Commanding Jose.

With her willingness to work hard and her natural talent, it’s no surprise that Amy is a favorite among her trainers. David Landrum, who trains General Kennedy and the Nesius’ two-year-old Commanding Jose, relates, “Amy is a very elegant rider. She’s naturally talented and a lot of fun to work with. She is able to bring out the best in her horses and to show them to the best of their abilities.” Tim and Sarah Smith add, “Amy is one of the sweetest people we have ever met. We feel lucky to know her and to be able to share in her accomplishments.” Tim trains Himself and the Nesius’ other two-year-old Kennedy’s Carlina. When asked about Amy, her riding instructor Jaclyn Williams remarks, “Amy works hard at everything she does, from equitation to school to volleyball to riding FDR, and that’s why she is such a successful young lady. She has the best attitude, even if she does not win every time, she always loves showing her horses and learns from every show.” Jaclyn’s husband Chad trains FDR and wholeheartedly agrees with Jaclyn’s comments.

A horsewoman in every sense of the word, in addition to riding and showing, Amy is fully involved in her family’s breeding program, which includes several broodmares including Amy’s previous equitation mount Pusher’s Diamond Dust. She help’s select stallions and she’s instrumental in naming and halter breaking foals. She’s also been known to muck stalls, feed, and water when needed. In her free time she’s a regular on the trail with her old Quarter Horse Jack.

With young people like Amy Nesius at the reins, how can we doubt the future of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. Intelligent, hard working, naturally talented - there’s no limit to what they can accomplish.