Support Ashleys Dream: A World Champion Mustang

From the Wild to the World Show

In October 2023 we lost a great friend, horse lover and all around amazing person to suicide, Ashley Stevenson. In her memory we are working to keep her dream alive: to have a BLM Mustang win a world title. That mustang is named, The Mad Hatter, and the show is the American Ranch Horse Association World Show at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala July 2024. The following is written by Ashley's trainer and friend:

My name is Blake Chesnut. I had the distinct honor to be beat up by various flashy mustangs owned by Ashley Stevenson’s for the past 5 years, and the privilege of calling Ashley friend.

Ashley appreciated a good horse and was very passionate about her mustangs. This passion was infectious. You found yourself wanting to invest in mustangs too after a conversation with her. Ashley had a goal of making a mustang a world champion, and that goal became infectious as well.

When Ashley first contacted me about training this little dun Sulphur filly, I thought, “Oh great, what has she found me now?” So, ever a glutton for punishment, I began to work with this waspy little filly. Little did I know The Mad Hatter would be one of the most successful horses I’ve trained.

I quickly found there was just something I liked about her. She was a quirky little thing. She instantly knew if she liked someone, or didn't, and made she sure you knew too. She didn’t tolerate any incompetence on the riders part. A misplaced cue would land you in the dirt. But she was quick, and she was gritty and she wanted to be a cow horse.

Ashley believed that this flashy little filly was the horse that was going to accomplish her world champion goal, and I was the trainer that was going to get Hattie there. I didn’t think her faith was well founded, but come July Hattie showed up and showed out.

Hattie took the arena totally unfazed by the fact that she was half the size of most of the blooded horses, and had been domesticated half the time that the others had been in training. Once a cow entered the arena, everyone forgot about the brand on her neck. Hattie finished that show Reserve World Champion in the Cow Catching, Sixth overall in the Working Ranch Horse, and was Reserve World Champion in the America’s Top Ranch Hand event. She went from the cute little mustang everyone talked about to the mare that was a threat to the title everytime she stepped in the pen.

As you may know, Ashley passed away this past October. In her short time here on earth she touched many horses and many people. I read that she has placed over 500 mustangs in homes across 35 states and two countries. She would be there at the drop of a hat if she heard a horse was in trouble. Her last month here she took Hattie and her mustang, Downtown, on a trail ride across BLM land in four different states and truly got to enjoy her passion.

In memory of Ashley, and to keep good on my promise to her, I will be showing Hattie again at this year’s ARHA World Championship show, aiming for that World Champion title. We came so, so close to Ashley's goal last year. Hattie is tuned up, seasoned and riding better than ever. I am confident in her ability to do even better this year.

I have been training Hattie pro-bono but the expenses of the World Show are daunting. I am looking for sponsors and support to make Ashley’s dream a reality. We are looking to raise $5000.00 to cover her show expenses, veterinary fees, farrier, feed and travel. She will again enter the America’s Top Ranch Hand and several other cow classes depending on funds raised. We are looking to accept support in any way you can give - monetary, feed, hay or equipment. Ashley gave so much to so many people and horses. I hope that we can help her achieve her goal.

~Blake