Clay Arrington – The Next Generation is in Good Hands

Click here to read the complete article
224 – Aug/Sept, 2018

by Kristen Spinning

This is all I’ve ever wanted, says Justin Clay Arrington, with easy confidence. Growing up in a family of Quarter Horse breeders and trainers, Clay is enthralled with every aspect of the business. It’s easy to see that he cherishes being surrounded by horses and his family. The hard work, opportunities for growth, excitement of the win, and lessons learned from failure supply Clay with the complete package: one that both inspires and fulfills him. He knows his path in life and is steadfastly determined to be the best he can be. Not bad to have that all figured out by the ripe old age of 18.

Clay has been riding, and winning, in open classes for a couple years, right alongside his many mentors. He is quick to express gratitude for the tremendous support his family provides as he pursues his passion for horses. “My parents and grandparents are 100% behind me and are the reason I’ve gotten so far along with this,” he insists. His grandparents are Vickie and Ronnie Kent who own and operate RV Quarter Horses in Graceville, Florida. Vickie and Ronnie have won titles at some of the top events in the industry including the Masters Two Year-Old Western Pleasure Challenge and AQHA World Show. Clay’s parents, Christie and Ricky Arrington, are also successful horse trainers. RV Quarter Horses is a mile down the road from the Arrington house, and the three generations work as a cohesive team.

While horses have always been an integral part of the family, Clay’s parents intentionally exposed him to a multitude of other interests. Yet nothing fueled his fire like riding and competing with horses. His first AQHA Youth World Show was in 2009 with Appraised Adventure. The pair showed in Showmanship and Trail. He was hooked, and ever since then he has poured every bit of his time and energy into excelling in the show pen. He reflects, “It’s just one of those things. I get up every morning with a smile on my face.” He knew early on that he had found his place. He says, “I wasn’t ever going to leave this.” His mom says she’s known for a long time that Clay would follow in the family business. “For the last several years, he has been so focused and so determined,” she says. “He’s at the barn first thing in the morning. He beats us all to the barn, and he’s the last one to leave. He loves to ride… all day long,” she laughs.

Click here to read the complete article
224 – Aug/Sept, 2018