Back by popular demand, the South Carolina State Heritage Horse, the Marsh Tacky, will be represented by a group of riders and their Marsh Tackies. Look for these small, sturdy, gentle horses in the Opening Ceremony and learn more about this unique breed here.
Leading the Marsh Tacky Parade in the Opening Ceremony at the Expo will be Wylie Bell. She will be riding 14-year-old CMTO Southern Cross, also known as Faith, her barn name. She is owned by Wylie and Leighton Bell of Bell Broke Stables in Bennettsville. Faith has been lightly schooled in dressage and hunter jumpers. She is rather large per the breed standard, and she can be a bit flighty and nervous when away from home. However, she is a tough, gritty, powerhouse jumper. She has also been trained for liberty work and bridle-less riding.
Margaret Clay will be riding 19-year-old Sweet Home Alabama or simply “Bama.” He is owned by Wylie and Leighton Bell of Bell Broke Stables in Bennettsville. He came to their farm as a fat, lazy, green-broke, 6-year-old gelding. He has since been used extensively for hog hunting, trail riding and riding lessons for novice riders. He competed in multiple Marsh Tacky Beach races, winning the gelding heat at Daufuskie Island in 2013 and winning the overall championship at Kiawah Island in 2017. In addition, Bama has been used lightly in hunter jumper shows and mostly does backyard jumping for fun. He is everyone’s favorite who comes to ride with the Bells.
Helen Clay will be riding 3-year-old Bell Broke Stables Island Boy, also known as Pirate, his barn name. He is owned by Wylie and Leighton Bell of Bell Broke Stables in Bennettsville. He was started under saddle as a 2-year-old, but he has been handled and molded since the day he was born. As far as Marsh Tackies go, he is big for his age, but he is a good example of the steady mindset and calm demeanor that the breed often exhibits. He is only being ridden lightly at this age as we wait for him to fully mature.
Read more about Wylie and Leighton’s adventures with their Marsh Tackies here.
