SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The National Young Farmers Education Association (NYFEA) brought 250 of the nation’s top agriculture students, along with their mentors, to Shelbyville, Tennessee, for an immersive educational visit. The group toured several local stops, including Crossing Creek Farm, Uncle Nearest Distillery, Cooper Steel Arena and The Celebration, gaining firsthand exposure to the region’s agricultural and equine heritage.

A key highlight of the visit was a series of Tennessee Walking Horse demonstrations at Myatt Manor and Sugar Creek. At Myatt Manor, students were introduced to the breed across all shoeing classifications, with presentations by Hannah Pulvers, Miles Irby and Jeff Green showcasing top examples of the Walking Horse. They showcased some of the industry’s top horses, including Doral, owned by Evergreen Walking Horse Farm; World Grand Champion The Tiger Lily, owned by Jennifer Stanley; World Grand Champion Crypto, owned by Andy Rippy and World Champion Luchador, owned by Theresa Williams. David Williams led the discussion and answered questions from a highly engaged audience eager to learn more about the breed.

The experience continued at Sugar Creek, where students observed mares, colts and stallions and learned about the natural gait of Walking Horse weanlings. The demonstration traced how those early characteristics develop into the various show horse styles previously presented. Throughout the visit, students showed strong interest and curiosity, underscoring a promising future for both the Tennessee Walking Horse and the broader agricultural industry.