I grew up with Quarter Horses - my parents raised a gorgeous mare who had several ROMs - she could do anything. I had a little bay mare that I showed both 4-H and open with, she was very versatile.
Then I left home and got my dream horses - Arabians. Rode those for several years, got to be a huge fan of the breed in general, but then our finances tanked and we sold them in order to feed our kids.
Now I ride my inlaws' Tennesee Walkers, and one, Bourbon, I'll actually be buying from them, if I can convince my MIL to sell, LOL. He's a big bay, and he will do anything in the world I ask of him. I am entered in an Extreme Cowboy Race on September 16 - 17, and plan on doing a lot of competitive trail and maybe even endurance, now that my kids are off to school and I have time to train. Here's me on Bourbon, I was roping my kids. This is the first time he had been 'roped' off of... and he stood like a rock... he's expression is priceless...
And here he is with my son and my niece, who are apparently going to try out for the circus...
Anyway, Bourbon is my boy, and now I am hooked on the Walkers. I haven't met one yet that didn't have a stellar personality and truly enjoy being worked, they really like to please their people and of course, they are smooooth! Important for us fat chicks, LOL!