Academy Shows
Value Shows
Our Value Shows are held right here at the farm and offer a relaxed but realistic introduction to the show world. For $100, riders participate in a full mock horse show—complete with classes, judging, and ribbons—without ever leaving the property. No formal attire is required, and lunch is included. Students will also assist in preparing their horses, just like they would for a real event. It’s the perfect low-pressure way to gain experience and celebrate progress.
Day Shows
Day Shows give students the chance to compete at real, off-property shows in a single day. Whistlejacket staff will transport horses and assist riders throughout the show. Families are responsible for a travel fee of $1 per mile (with a $150 minimum, split between students sharing a horse), along with a $200 show fee per family. Entry and office fees for the show itself are paid separately by each family. These shows are a great next step for students who want to build on their experience and show in a more competitive environment.
Class “A” Shows
For our most dedicated riders, Class “A” Shows are multi-day competitions that represent the highest level of commitment within our Academy program. Riders attending these shows will enter into a short-term lease agreement for the horse they’ll be showing and will assume full financial responsibility for the horse during the event—including care, supplies, and any incidentals. These shows typically span two to three days and involve travel, planning, and a serious investment in both time and passion. It’s an exciting opportunity for students ready to take their showing experience to the next level.
At Whistlejacket Farm, we’re proud to offer show experiences for riders at every stage of their journey. Through our Academy program, students can take part in several types of horse shows designed to build confidence, responsibility, and a love for the sport—all while having a whole lot of fun.
When top trainer Wendy Potts joined Ralph as an operating partner, that dream took its first step toward reality.
Wendy earned her first national championships at age 13 in hunt seat equitation. In 1986, barely out of her teens, she won the U.S. national reserve championship in hunter pleasure. Since then, she has accounted for more than 150 national championships and reserves, and her riders have collected nearly 500.
Her numerous accomplishments paired with her desire to impart her riding and training knowledge and passion for the Arabian breed to the next generation of equestrians made Wendy the perfect fit for Whistlejacket Farm.
With Manning at the helm of the operations and business piece of our farm and Wendy heading up the training, coaching, and riding, the future is bright for Whistlejacket Farm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Their next step is to open the doors of the farm so that the next generation of equestrians can meet the elegant Arabian horse breed and experience the joy of spending time on a horse farm.
That’s why in addition to our world class training and showing program led by Wendy we have decided to launch the Whistlejacket Riding Academy, a unique opportunity for budding and seasoned equestrians to be involved in the world of horses and equestrian sports.
At the heart of it all, is the Arabian horse …
“I love the training, and I love the horses. If I won the lottery, I’d train horses for free for everyone I love.”
– Wendy Potts
The Magic of the Arabian Horse
Whistlejacket Farm wouldn’t exist but for the amazing world of the Arabian horse.
Manning Arabians dates to the 1960s, when Ralph’s parents, L.M. Jr. and Susan, bought a 2-year-old chestnut colt named Chum. Within a few years, the elder Mannings’ equine headcount was climbing past 30, they owned a state of the art facility, and had a resident trainer, Jim Long.
The Manning family’s preferred bloodlines evolved over time, but their standards remained high.
By the 1980s, they had an eye on national level shows and enhanced their association with several well-known names, among them Blake Krohn, Stanley White Sr., Stanley White Jr., Ray LaCroix, Joel Kiesner, Gordon Potts, Spike Barter, Kat Stephens and Kim Morgan.
Eventually, during his college years, Ralph went to work with Ray LaCroix (and Joel Kiesner, who was a LaCroix assistant at the time) and even considered becoming a trainer himself. With and education and background in business including an OPM from Harvard Business School, Ralph went on to start several businesses while maintaining a presence in Arabians.
In 1997, he and his father traveled to Poland on a buying trip that yielded the Europejczyk son *Ordynek and the filly *Eksedra. Both would be awarded U.S. national top tens, *Ordynek in English Pleasure AAOTR with Ralph, and *Eksedra in Mares with Kim Morgan in open and Ralph in amateur.
When his daughters became old enough to ride, Morgan recommended that he and Krista take them to Wendy Potts. The rest, as they say, is history.
Both Wendy and Ralph believe you can have all the money in the world, but if you don’t build the capabilities as a horseman or horsewoman, you’re not going to get there. And, if you don’t have the desire to win, you’re not going to do well.
At Whistlejacket Farm, we are dedicated to helping you get there and do well.
Because Everything Rides On A Name
Behind the Name … Whistlejacket …
In the mid 1700s, the British longed for a racehorse that could run longer distances. To accomplish this, they imported into England three Arabian stallions, the Godolphin, the Byerly Turk and the Barb. They bred these stallions to their prized English mare and in doing so, the first offspring became the foundation stock of the British Thoroughbred.
Still today, all full blood registered Thoroughbreds can be traced back to these three Arab stallions. In 1762, the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, an English Duke, commissioned George Stubbs to paint his winning racehorse, Whistlejacket, as a gift to King George III of England.
That famous painting stands more than nine feet tall and hangs in the National Gallery in London. It is considered one of Great Britain’s national treasures. As such, Whistlejacket was an Arabian ambassador to the British, a progenitor of the British Thoroughbred and has often been called the “Arabian Thoroughbred.”
Whistlejacket is an example of the immeasurable impact the Arabian horse has had on the world at large and horsedom specifically.
“Whistlejacket’s enduring legacy serves as a reminder and a source of inspiration for how Whistlejacket Farm intends to impact the Arabian horse community with the contributions we aspire to make and the new trails we hope to blaze.”
– Ralph Manning
Thanks for visiting our website!
– The Manning Family & The Potts Family
Updates & Information
Be the first to know when we host educational events, have openings in our program, or have horses for sale!