“It’s About Time!”

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

“It's about time!” could be heard from the stands as Caitlin Harrison's name was called, announcing her and her horse as first place winners of the 55th Annual State Horse Show 2021 at the Georgia Federation of Saddle Clubs Event last week. The sentiment belonged to her grandfather, Paul Shepard, and there could be no mistaking the pride and delight in Caitlin's smile as she collected her trophy.
Harrison is no stranger to winning shows, having been involved in showing horses since she was just three years old. When she was 10 years old, she qualified for a show called “Ima Hi Tech Cowgirl” and was invited to the youth AQHA World Championship Show held in Dallas, Texas. She held the title of District 4H Champion for Halter mares for several years before eventually taking a break from showing to finish high school and attend college.
Upon completion of college, she returned once again to her passion of showing horses and dogs, something that she enjoys doing with her grandparents. “These are some of the best memories and time spent that I will never get back with my grandparents, and I am enjoying every second of it!” Harrison said. Her grandparents, Paul and Kathy Shepard, both currently live in Monticello, and helped to facilitate her passion for horses and shows by sharing their own love for both. “My grandpa just turned 78 and still rides almost every night!”
There are 10 different clubs from around the state of Georgia that together make up the Georgia Federation of Saddle Clubs. Each year, the GFSC holds a championship show in Perry, Ga. on Labor Day weekend. Each individual club can send up to six entries in each approved class that the club holds throughout the year, allowing for a total of 60 horses in each class. Harrison and her equine companion, Viktoria Secret, entered in the Adult Mare Halter competition, where they won first place!
Viktoria Secret is a five year old registered quarter horse that Harrison has competed with in the past. Last year, at the same show, she and Viktoria Secret entered for the first time and won second place at the state show. Horses that are entered in Halter class are judged based on their conformation. Conformation refers to the correctness of bone, musculature and proportions. This is often referred to as “form to function,” and directly relates to the horse's ability to preform specific tasks.
“When I won, I was honestly so happy and proud! All the nights I worked with her and everything I had learned from my grandfather finally paid off after two years!” Harrison exclaimed, recounting the moment of the announcement of her big win, “right when they called my name and Viktoria Secret's name, all I heard was my grandfather in the stands say, 'it's about time!' That made me laugh and smile even more! It really was an amazing day for me overall.”
When she isn't showing horses, Harrison focuses on her English Cocker Spaniel dogs, which she trains for dog sports as a hobby. A long time resident of Monticello, you may recognize her as having been Watermelon Queen for a few years at the Monticello Watermelon Festival that is held each year. Harrison currently works for CWR Contracting in Tallahassee and is absolutely loving the charm and comforts of living in a small town.