Western Dressage at BreyerFest

Today we introduce a demo group who is bringing back a 2019 fan-favorite portrait horse to BreyerFest: Truly Unsurpassed! Truly Unsurpassed may have aged a little like the rest of us, but she is still looking fantastic and enjoying her work. Known around the barn as "Calico," she competes in Western Dressage and also participates in ranch horse competitions. In 2025 she welcomed a foal, Truly a Baron, affectionately known as "Yona." While Yona is still a bit young to attend BreyerFest this year, Calico enjoyed taking a short break from showing to be a mother. Now she is back to work, staying fit and healthy while continuing the career she loves. Owner Lily Beth Sheriff will be performing a Barbie-inspired freestyle with her at BreyerFest this year.

Another talented member of their barn is Jackzipisverycool, better known as "Buddy." Buddy is well-known for his playful personality and often keeps everyone entertained around the barn, sometimes even opening stall doors to let his friends out when he thinks no one is watching! Buddy was raised and trained by Nancy and Randy Conley at Balanced Ride Stables in Calhoun, Georgia. Over the years he has built an impressive show record, earning multiple WDAA World Championships, numerous high-score awards, and USEF Horse of the Year honors. Lily Beth Sheriff, the Conleys’ granddaughter, has successfully shown Buddy in both Western Dressage and ranch horse competitions. Together they earned a world title in the 2025 WDAA Online International Challenge (Youth Division) as well as WDAGA Youth High Point in Georgia and Overall High Point for 2025. Buddy will be ridden at BreyerFest by Lisa Hewitt performing a steampunk-inspired freestyle.

Also representing the program is Good Hot N Krymsun, known around the barn as "Dylan." Dylan was purchased as a weanling and raised and trained by Nancy Conley, developing into a gentle, family-friendly horse with an impressive list of accomplishments. In 2025 Dylan achieved numerous honors including AQHA Superior Western Dressage, AQHA Reserve High Point Western Dressage, USEF Reserve Horse of the Year (Basic Western Dressage), and WDAA Register of Excellence, along with the WDAA Reserve Year-End Award and many other local high-score awards. He also earned Open High Point for WDAGA. Dylan will continue his training toward Level 1 Western Dressage in 2026. He calls Balanced Ride Stables in Calhoun, Georgia home, where he enjoys spending his downtime relaxing in the pasture with his herd mates. They will be performing a wild west inspired freestyle.

Next to join the lineup is RR Freckles Badger, affectionately known as "Aspen." Aspen and her rider Olivia Tierce have built an impressive partnership in the Western Dressage arena. In 2022, Aspen was honored as the USEF Western Dressage Basic Level Horse of the Year, as well as the AQHA High Point Horse for Western Dressage Basic Level. That same year, the pair also earned the AQHA All-Around Rookie Award for both the state of Georgia and the 30 & Under division, highlighting their success across multiple competitions. Competing in Western Dressage also helped Aspen excel in the Ranch Riding world, racking up several wins. Aspen is known not only for her accomplishments in the show ring but also for her willing attitude and strong work ethic, making her a fun and reliable partner to ride and train. Since their early successes, Aspen and Olivia have continued to grow as a team and have now moved up to Level One in Western Dressage, where they look forward to further developing their skills and advancing through the levels together. When she isn’t competing, Aspen enjoys life at Erwin Hill Farm in Calhoun, Georgia, where she spends her downtime relaxing with the cattle and preparing for her next adventure in the arena.

The Wicked Wolf, known to those who love him as "Timber," is a 15-year-old chestnut Tennessee Walking Horse. Timber and his rider, Tami Steinbrecher, have been a team for 10 years, beginning their show career together in pleasure rail and versatility classes. This dynamic duo has earned many blue ribbons over the years while competing with both the Walking Horse Owners’ Association and the National Walking Horse Association.  Approximately nine years ago, Tami and Timber competed in their first all-breed Western Dressage show in Basic Level classes, and they have been hooked on the sport ever since.

In 2019, the pair attended their first Western Dressage Association of America World Championship Horse Show in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and returned home as champions of their division, earning the first of many championship belt buckles. Tami and Timber continued their journey in Western Dressage, improving each year. In 2022, that dedication paid off when Timber became the first Tennessee Walking Horse in history to be named a SmartPak/USEF Horse of the Year, earning the honor in Western Dressage Level 2. In 2023, the duo returned to the spotlight when Timber was once again named SmartPak/USEF Horse of the Year, this time in Western Dressage Level 3. In 2025, Timber competed at the WDAA World Show in Level 3 and Level 4 and went undefeated, bringing home seven blue ribbons. At the 2025 WDAA annual banquet, Tami was presented with a customized belt buckle on Timber’s behalf after he earned his Supreme Championship title, making him the first Tennessee Walking Horse to achieve this distinction. Of her equine partner, Tami says, “Timber has taught me to dream big and that anything is possible if you are willing to work really hard for it. I couldn’t ask for a better partner to share my Western Dressage journey with. He’s funny and sweet and gives me one hundred percent all the time, well, almost. Timber is a once-in-a-lifetime horse and a great ambassador for his breed. I am very blessed to have him in my life, and I hope he feels the same about me.”

Tami also believes in investing her time and energy into the sport of Western Dressage beyond the show ring. She has served as an officer in her state’s affiliate and currently serves on the WDAA Executive Board as well as several committees. Her belief is simple: we can accomplish great things when everyone contributes a little of their time. These efforts were recognized by the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association, which named Tami its 2025 Pleasure Horse Ambassador of the Year. When Timber is not competing, he enjoys spending his days in the pasture with his herd mates in the mountains of north Georgia.

Our final pair is Marley Hartman and Ole’s Maisey, also known as "Soli." Soli is a purebred Fjord mare who calls Balanced Riding Stables in Calhoun, Georgia home. Known for her kind disposition, steady temperament, and willing attitude, Soli has proven to be a wonderful partner both in and out of the arena. Together, Marley and Soli have found success competing in Western Dressage. Soli was named the Georgia High Point Champion in the Basic Level Amateur division, as well as earning the Overall Amateur High Score Champion title. The pair also received High Score Fjord in the WDAA Online International Challenge. In addition to these accomplishments, Soli has earned multiple championships with the Fjord Horse Breeders Association. Currently competing at Intro Level Western Dressage, Marley and Soli continue to develop their partnership and grow together as a team. As they build confidence and refine their skills, they are preparing to move up to Basic Level in the near future. With their strong partnership and dedication to learning, Marley and Soli look forward to continuing their journey together and achieving even more in the show ring. They will be performing a nod to the BreyerFest 2026 theme, with a Swedish Midsummer-inspired freestyle.