Legacy in Motion: The Return of The Weddingtons

By WhitLei Burks

For Ben Weddington, the Tennessee Walking Horse world isn’t just a part of his past—it’s a piece of who he is. From the time he was old enough to walk the aisles of his father’s barn, Ben was immersed in a life built on tradition and discipline. For several generations his family’s entire livelihood revolved around this great horse.  Ben is the maternal grandson of the late Joe Johnson, a renowned horseman who handled and managed the breeding careers of many famous stallions including 1964 WGC Carbon Copy.  Ben is also the son of the late Charlie Weddington, a respected World Champion trainer whose dedication to the breed left a lasting impression not only on his family, but on the entire Walking Horse community. 

Charlie Weddington’s journey in the industry began humbly, but with determination. As a teenager, he first began working at GLL Farms—now known as historic Wiser Farms—in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Over time, he trained in West Tennessee for the Jeffcoat family, steadily earning a reputation as a patient horseman and skilled showman.
Eventually, Charlie struck out on his own, building his own training facility—a dream for many, and a reality he made possible through hard work and grit. He built not just a barn, but a family legacy. His name is still etched into a challenge trophy for the World Champion Four-Year-Old Stallions, a testament to his success and consistency in the ring. But beyond the ribbons, Charlie was known for his love of the horse. 

A Legacy Begins – The Past

It was in that barn—tucked behind the family home—where Ben Weddington and his sister Sara grew up. Their childhood was spent side-by-side with their father, soaking in every lesson the barn had to offer. Whether it was helping lead horses to the trailer or watching intently from the corner of the ring, Ben and Sara’s early life was shaped by those long hours and the quiet example their father set. Every farrier visit, every class and every win was another page in the story that would one day lead them back home.

Ben’s early days were spent with sawdust under his boots and dreams in his head. Whether it was riding in the trailer to the next horse show, or helping rinse down a horse at the wash rack, the barn was his classroom—and Charlie Weddington, his greatest teacher. As Ben got a little older, his dreams shifted depending on the day of the week—some days he saw himself as a trainer, others a farrier and, on many, a groom who truly loved caring for the horses. Charlie’s longtime farrier team of Red Umberger and the Brady Bunch even had a pair of custom—size 5-year-old boy—shoeing chaps made for young Ben. None of it ever seemed like just a job to him. It was a calling, a culture and a family.

But in 1999, everything changed. Charlie was diagnosed with brain cancer. What followed was one of the most difficult times the Weddington siblings and their mom, Cindy, had ever faced. And yet, it was also one of the most revealing. The Walking Horse community—trainers, owners, fellow horsemen—rallied behind the Weddingtons. Friends stepped in to help put horses in the ring. Barn chores were shared. Show prep was no longer just a family task—it became a community effort. Charlie’s horses kept showing. His barn kept running. And through it all, Ben and Sara were still able to ride and compete, thanks to the kindness and loyalty of people who refused to let the family carry the weight alone.

When Charlie passed away, the heartbreak was too heavy to bear. The barn that had once been a place of joy and purpose now felt like a painful reminder of what had been lost. The Weddingtons quietly stepped away from the show scene—not because the love for the horse was gone, but because doing it without Charlie just didn’t feel right. What had once been a shared passion between father and children now felt incomplete. The horses, the shows, the ribbons—they had always done it together. And without him, it simply wasn’t the same. Life moved on, and Ben eventually built a successful career in finance. But even as his days filled with spreadsheets, flights, and meetings, a part of him remained back at the barn, tucked between memories of braided manes, worn leather and late-night rides.

Now, 25 years later, Ben has found his way back to the ring—not just for himself, but for the future he envisions. One filled with family, community and a new generation discovering what makes the Tennessee Walking Horse industry so special. As Ben returns with a string of show horses and a renewed sense of purpose, his story is not just one of revival—it’s a living tribute to legacy, love and the enduring power of a father’s influence.

A New Path – The Interlude

Although the Weddington family stepped away from the competitive spotlight, Ben’s connection to horses never truly faded. “I’ve never owned a breed other than the Tennessee Walking Horse,” he said proudly. Even during his years away from the show circuit, Ben kept a herd of trail and field trial horses at his farm in Bedford County in the heart of walking horse country. Long rides following his bird dogs through the countryside, quiet moments in the saddle and the familiar four-beat gait of the Walking Horse kept the spirit of his upbringing alive—even if the ribbons and rings were no longer part of the picture.

Throughout that time, one thread of consistency remained: his relationship with the Abernathys. As a young boy growing up in the barn, Ben had always looked up to James and Joseph Abernathy, as well as their older brother Edgar. They were more than just respected horsemen—they were like big brothers, always there to lend a hand or offer encouragement. That bond didn’t fade with time. James continued to shoe Ben’s trail horses over the years, helping him maintain not just his herd, but also that meaningful link to the horse world he had once called home.

Coming Home – The Present

Eventually, it was James who helped spark the Weddingtons return to the show world. During one of those farrier visits, James encouraged Ben to come take a look at one of his family's horses, a talented mount named He’s Shady Grady. That invitation led to a pivotal purchase under the banner of Dan Waddell Stables. Dan, who shares West Tennessee roots with the Weddingtons and was born/raised in the same small town as Charlie, was someone Ben and his family had always admired. The connection felt natural—like coming full circle.
As Ben began easing back into the industry, he quickly realized that the warmth extended to he and his family wasn’t just nostalgia or sympathy from losing his father—it was genuine care and respect. Familiar faces welcomed them back with open arms, often sharing old photos, funny stories, or cherished memories of Charlie. The kindness felt different this time—it was rooted in friendship, not obligation.

This year, the Weddingtons made an exciting new acquisition: RWGC A Great Honor. Ben beams when talking about the striking sorrel stallion. During a recent ride in the ring, as he reversed direction in the class, a wave of emotion hit him. “I just started thinking—this is unbelievable…my dad would lose his mind if he got to see me on this horse or any of the horses today,” Ben recalled. The moment was so powerful that Dan had to nudge him back to reality so he could finish the class—one he would go on to win.

Being away from the show ring for over two decades brought clarity to just how much the breed and the sport have evolved. “The horses today are like high-end sports cars,” Ben said, still surprised by the precision, athleticism and style they now bring to the ring. But the most reassuring part? The people. “The horses may have changed, but the good, honest, hardworking folks haven’t. The same ones who will skip holidays for a horse or stop what they’re doing to chat with you. That’s what makes this industry special.”

Even after so many years away, it didn’t take much for the sights, sounds and smells of the ring—the hum of the organ, the buzz of a night show—to feel like home again.

Looking Ahead – The Future

Now firmly re-rooted in the Walking Horse industry, Ben Weddington is looking forward—not just for himself, but for his entire family. His and his sister’s dream is to raise their children around the same values they grew up with: discipline, work ethic and respect for animals and people. For the Weddingtons, Tennessee Walking Horses aren’t just a passion—they’re a way of life, and that’s something they hope to pass on to the next generation.
Ben and his wife Emily are already beginning to introduce their daughter, Charlotte, to the joys of horses, starting with stick horse classes and gentle trail rides on their trusted walking horses. The timing felt right for their return—not only because of Ben’s renewed passion, but because their daughter is now old enough to see and appreciate the work that goes into caring for and showing horses. From barn chores to early mornings and late nights, he wants them to witness the kind of effort that success demands.

Emily, who didn’t grow up in the show horse world, has embraced the lifestyle wholeheartedly. While currently expecting, she’s already planning to join the show ring next season in the All Day Pleasure division aboard her horse Bridgerton, under the Circle T Stables banner. This year Ben and Sara’s mother, Cindy Weddington has graciously taken up the reins on the mount. The Weddingtons see the barn not just as a competitive space, but as a family hub—where shared experiences foster connection and character.

One of the values Ben feels most strongly about passing down to his children is that hard work doesn’t always come with a trophy. “Not everyone gets a ribbon,” he says. “Sometimes things don’t go your way, and that’s part of it. It’s about showing up, putting in the time, enjoying every single minute, and being proud of the effort.”
Beyond his own family, Ben is passionate about introducing the sport to others. He regularly invites friends and colleagues—many with young families—to horse shows and even casual visits to the barn. “They’re always blown away,” Ben says. “It’s safe, it’s welcoming and it has real values. You’re friends at breakfast, competitors in the ring and friends again at dinner. There’s nothing else like it.”

As for the broader future of the industry, Ben is clear-eyed but hopeful. He recognizes the challenges, particularly the negative media that sometimes overshadows the heart of the Walking Horse world. But he also knows the cure: “Get them to the barn. Get them to a show. Let them see the love and care the grooms, trainers and owners have for these horses. When they see that, all the noise fades away.”

Ben is not only carrying on a legacy—he’s shaping a new one, built on the same values his father cherished. In doing so, he’s helping ensure that the future of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry remains just as meaningful, connected and full of heart as its past.

The Legacy Lives On

Although Charlie Weddington is no longer ringside, his presence is felt in every stride his family takes in the show ring. His legacy lives on through his children—Ben and Sara—and is already taking root in the next generation. Whether it's Ben suiting up to show A Great Honor or Ritz’s Sundust, Sara partnering with Strolling In Dixie or Emily preparing to step into the ring next season with Bridgerton, the Weddington name continues to ride strong.
Ben hopes this return to the show world isn't a short chapter, but a lifelong family tradition. Ben and Sara’s children already ask when they’re going back to the next horse show, eagerly soaking up the sounds, sights and rhythms of a life their grandfather once loved so deeply. “Hopefully they’re in it for the rest of their lives,” Ben says. “That’s the dream.”

And while the showring may look a little different these days—with new horses, new barns and new faces—the heart of the Walking Horse industry remains unchanged. It's in the shared memories, in the friendships that span decades and in the joy of simply being around the horses.

Every time a Weddington enters the ring, it’s not just a ride—it’s a tribute. It’s a continuation of a story that started generations ago. And with each pass down the rail, the spirit of Charlie Weddington—and the soul of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry—rides on.