EC Photo of the Day: Carrying a Piece of Ashley
Photo by Artfully Expected Fine Art.
At the IPHA show (Illinois Paint Horse 2026 POR), the Freestyle Horsemanship Buckle Class gave exhibitors a chance to tell their own story in the arena. There were no cones and no set pattern. Each exhibitor designed their own pattern, turned it in to the judges that morning, and then performed it with their horse.
For Ilana Joy of JR Performance Horses, who sponsored the class, her trip into the arena carried a much deeper meaning.
The horse underneath her was First Round Draft Pick, better known as Tesla.
Tesla belonged to Ashley Mahon; a client of JR Performance Horses, but far more importantly, a dear friend.
Ashley tragically passed away in a house fire earlier this year.
Ashley was a lifelong horsewoman. She grew up in 4-H, returned to horses later in life, and poured herself into becoming the best horsewoman she could be. She wasn’t simply someone who showed horses, she took pride in every part of caring for them. She was dedicated, disciplined, and rarely missed a chance to groom, ride, practice showmanship, or simply spend time at the barn. Tesla was her baby.
And Ashley left an even bigger impression on the people around her.
She was quiet, but when she spoke, it meant something. She was kind, straightforward, loyal, and always willing to listen, offer advice, or lift someone up on a bad day. Her warm smile and infectious laugh made her a beloved part of the barn family, and what began as a trainer-client relationship grew into a genuine friendship.
After Ashley’s passing, her family gave Tesla to Ilana.
So when Ilana and Tesla entered the arena together for the Freestyle Horsemanship class, they weren’t just performing a pattern.
They were carrying a piece of Ashley with them.
And when their pattern was finished, Ilana reached down and gave Tesla a quiet pat.
A simple moment between a horse and rider, but one carrying years of memories, friendship, grief, love, and the legacy of the woman who loved that gelding so deeply.
Tesla is still doing what Ashley loved.
Still walking into the show pen.
Still surrounded by people who love him.
And still carrying a little piece of her with him every time he does.
Ashley may not have been the one sitting in that saddle, but the horse she loved was still in the arena, still being cared for, and still surrounded by people who loved her.
This one was for Ashley.
