Retirement Celebration For Hotroddin Ona Harley At NSBA World
Come celebrate with us at Becky George’s stalls on Friday, August 21. There will be refreshments and horse treats.
By Jana Whitley
Whitley Family Part 1
Harley has earned his retirement at the age of 20 and is going back home to Diane Chilton after NSBA World. We originally purchased Harley as a three-year-old from Diane to become Nicole Whitley Eby’s all around horse. With Brynne Bassler’s help, they won many accolades – 2011: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo High Point, Reserve Congress Champion with Brynne in the Green Trail; 2012 Region 9 All Around (winning a saddle), East Novice Championships Reserve Champion in Amateur Trail, Open Superior Trail Horse title. He was there when Nicole got engaged and got me through my cancer diagnosis and treatment. Nicole got very busy with school, so we decided to sell him.
Diane Chilton
In August 2009, I took an un-shown 3-year-old brown stallion by Radical Rodder and out of my beloved little Zips Chocolate Chip mare, Diamonds and Denim, to National Snaffle Bit Association World Show. I was hauling up and my trainer, Rusty Green, was frantic waiting for me to arrive with the trailer. He had a buyer for Hotroddin Ona Harley. I had all my show clothes and saddle ready to go. I arrive and Brynne Bassler is waiting for me. She rides him for 10 minutes and says we are taking him NOW. Beyond belief, I never get to show him!! He is back on their trailer. Surprise, the customer is Nicole Whitley Eby and her mother Jana. I already knew them and was thrilled to see him go to their program. Brynne Bassler gives me my first Congress Reserve Champion in Trail. Now, with over 1,500 points and many Congress wins and 5 other owners later, he returned to the Whitley-Eby family in 2024 for their 10-year-old granddaughter Charlee Eby.
Brynne Bassler
Hotroddin Ona Harley is a familiar name to a lot of ears in the AQHA all around industry. He’s earned many titles, trophies, nicknames, and made memories with many families, colleagues, and friends. I am honored to say that I was one of those individuals whose lives were touched during Harley’s outstanding career! In 2009 the Whitley Family trusted me to choose Harley as their next show horse! At the time he was 3 and only been ridden like a pleasure horse… so we had quite the task of teaching him the other events. As a young horse learning new events, Harley wasn’t always a very cooperative horse! Trail however always came easy and it was safe to say that Harley wanted to shine in that event from the start! One thing was for sure…Harley chose his good days and let you know when he wanted to be a star! If you listened…and agreed…he would show up to the plate! I cherish all the memories with Harley and the Whitley family but the one that sticks out the most was in 2011. Harley and I were Reserve Congress Champions in the Green Trail. The class was new to the industry and Harley understood the task! To this day I remember getting him ready the night before, how cold it was and how hard we worked to make sure he was prepared and tired because, like myself, Harley doesn’t like the cold! New to going out on my own, that day was a huge win in my show career and I am ever so grateful and thankful to “Harles” for making it count! Harley went on and won more than many can ever imagine and helped make many more dreams come true, so hearing that the Whitley’s were able to purchase him back, allow their granddaughter to learn and show him and now giving him the retirement he deserves was the best news! Enjoy the retirement life buddy! You have more than earned it.
Meg DePalma Pye
Harley, was in our family for 6 years. I quickly learned I was “one of his people”, as many people tried to ride him and many either landed on the ground or got off before it got too western! We realized early on that the little saddle wasn’t his favorite. So, in typical fashion, Harley got what he wanted – retired from equitation! Over the years we won lots of prizes. He taught me trail. Probably the most fun horse I’ve shown. So elastic! He was my first top ten at the world show in showmanship – which was a major deal considering I was called “shark bait”. Ole Harley was a sneaky biter in the showmanship. We managed to show through it most days, but I have photos of him with his mouth open during patterns lol. At the end of the day, he was my first L3 amateur horse, my first NSBA world champion, my first top ten at the L3 world show and taught me so many lessons. Wrapped spurs for safety and Vicks VapoRub so no one gets bit! I’ll love him forever – always a “Good Dog.”
Clint Ainsworth
I have been fortunate to have had so many special horses in my life, but Harley is at the very top of my list. He certainly wasn’t the easiest horse, but he taught me more and did more for me than any other horse when I needed it most. Harley was the first horse I ever won an NSBA trophy with. And on one cold day in October, he gave me a memory I’ll cherish forever. I remember questioning why I had even entered the Senior Trail at the Congress. I was convinced I had no chance of placing and couldn’t compete with the “big guys.” To make matters worse, we drew right behind a World Champion Senior Trail horse. Needless to say, my confidence wasn’t exactly high. Harley had a different plan. Once we got started, I remember thinking, “This is actually going pretty well.” With every obstacle, my confidence grew. When it was all over, we had placed fourth in an incredibly talented class. It remains one of the most unforgettable days of my career. The best part? 
While I was running around frantically checking the scores, Harley just stood there like it was no big deal. That was Harley. Somehow, he always knew when the moment mattered, and he always rose to the occasion. I was lucky enough to share several of those special moments with him, and I’ll treasure every one of them. Now… day to day? Harley could make you want to pull your hair out. He was incredibly sensitive and, on some days, completely noncompliant. But Harley taught me one of the greatest lessons of my career: not every horse fits the same program. Some horses are simply different, and they need a different approach. I credit him with teaching me how to truly listen to a horse, figure out what makes them tick, and help them become successful. Now for one of my most embarrassing horse show stories… I learned early on that I always had to be kind to Harley during warm-up on show day. If I got too hard on him or “embarrassed” him, he would always find a way to embarrass me right back. He reminded me of that lesson at The Big A one year. It was miserably hot, and I was warming up for the Western Riding. Harley wasn’t exactly taking things seriously, and I’ll admit I got a little harder on him than I should have. Well… he got even. I trotted over the log, loped off, and came around to start my line. The instant I asked for my first lead change, Harley launched into a bucking fit so big I nearly came off. Then he landed, let out this huge sigh, almost as if he were laughing or saying, “I got you.” I gathered myself, loped back to the pattern, and he was absolutely perfect the rest of the way. By the time I got around to the judges, they were laughing hysterically—and so was I. That was Harley. He always made sure I remembered who was really in charge. I’m so grateful Harley’s life has come full circle and that he’s now with Jana, Nicole and Charlee. Thank you also to Diane Chilton for loving and caring for Harley during his retirement years. Harley, if you ever need anything, I’ll always be here for you, because you were always there for me. Thank you for every lesson, every laugh, every challenge, and every unforgettable moment. You’ll always be one of the greatest horses I’ve ever had the privilege to call my partner.
Reid Thomas
I had the pleasure of training Hotroddin Ona Harley for a past client. When the decision was made to sell Harley, we all knew the only place that truly made sense was back home with Jana and Nicole Whitley. Clint Ainsworth always told me just how incredibly special Harley was, and over the years I learned exactly what he meant. Harley always had an opinion about the process—and we made sure to listen. They don’t make many like him. He’s helped teach countless riders, build confidence, and achieve so many goals. One of my favorite things about Harley was that he always had a say in everything. He definitely let you know who he liked…and who he didn’t. We often joked that everything was done about half on Harley’s terms. As he embarks on his well-earned retirement, I’d like to thank the Whitley family for loving and caring for him so deeply, and to Becky George and Colton Pylman for the incredible talent, heart, and dedication they’ve poured into him over the years. Enjoy your retirement, buddy. You’ve more than earned it.
Becky George
Harley came to BGCP a few years ago when Jana decided to buy him back to replace Meg (Ima Diamond Loper). I’d watched Harley’s success over the years with so many of my friends, so I figured he’d fit right into our program. Easy, right? Well… I sent Jana to try Harley while I was judging because I told her, “As long as you can ride him, we’ll be just fine.” And that’s when it all began. ????
Harley was quick to let us know we’d be riding his program, not ours! That old fart can still buck harder than just about any two-year-old. Ask me how I know! As ornery as he can be, he’s been the absolute best teacher for Charlee. Watching him take care of her while also teaching her has been such a fun journey. He’s made her earn every ride, and because of that, he’s helped make her a stronger rider and a better showman.
I’m definitely going to miss his antics because there’s not a day that goes by where he just comes out and quietly does his job. He always has to add a little attitude first. Thank you for all the wins, Harley. But more than the buckles and ribbons, thank you for helping shape Charlee into the horsewoman she is becoming. We’ll sure miss you, old man. ❤️
Whitley Family – Part 2
In July, 2024, Harley found his way back to us. We had to retire our unicorn, Ima Diamond Loper, due to cancer. Nicole and granddaughter, Charlee, had Ima Southern Gent to show. I wanted something safe for Charlee and I to show in the walk/trot trail. I thought about Harley. We contacted Reid Thomas and found out he was for sale. We went and tried him and brought him home that day. Charlee has shown him in Showmanship and Trail. They were circuit champs in Gold/Gulf Coast Small Fry Trail 2024/2025, 2025 NSBA World Champions in Small Fry Trail and numerous circuit and top fives in Showmanship and Trail throughout the 2024-2026 show years. Charlee and Harley were Reserve Champions 13 & Under Trail at 2026 Level 1 East Championships. Most recently, Charlee and Harley were circuit champions in 13 & Under Trail at the Redbud Spectacular. They also made their debut in Level 1 Western Riding, where they placed all three days shown. I have also won numerous circuits in Amateur Walk/Trot Trail and was 4th overall at 2025 NSBA World Show. We were circuit champions at the 2025/2026 Gold/Gulf Coast and 2026 Sun Circuit.
Come celebrate with us at Becky George’s stalls on Friday, August 21. There will be refreshments and horse treats.
