Taft and Adrienne Dickerson Start Their Own Operation

By: Brittany Bevis

From colt breaking and developing a solid foundation on prospects to developing finished Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, and All-Around horses, Taft and Adrienne Dickerson have a reputation as a couple with deep roots in the equine industry. Now, the dynamic duo is setting out on their own and moving to Johnna Stables, located just outside of Harrisburg, PA.

Taft has won several titles at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, Southern Belle Futurity, and Tom Powers Futurity, including two wins at the Hylton Maiden Futurity. He is also a Top 50 NSBA Open Western Pleasure rider. Adrienne is no stranger to the winner’s circle either most recently placing third at the Congress in Trail. Their non-pro clients have earned numerous AQHA futurity titles, AQHA Championships, and top 10 wins at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in classes like Western Pleasure, Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Horsemanship, and Trail.

In the early years, Taft worked with his father, Donnie Dickerson, a well-known horsemen in the Quarter Horse industry and his mother, Millie Dickerson, who is one of NSBA’s all-time leading non pro riders. Out of the womb, Taft knew nothing but horses. Since that time, Taft has had the opportunity to work with trainers like Steve Reams, Shane Young, and Brad Kearns. Adrienne started showing horses in her early teenage years in the Paint Horse industry working for various trainers, before venturing out on her own and into the Quarter Horse industry in 2012.

“This was not an easy decision to make, and we thank everyone who has supported us to get to this point,” Taft and Adrienne say. “After much consideration and planning, we are making this exciting decision to accommodate our recent growth and help expand our business even further. We went from catering primarily to Western Pleasure horses, to now Hunter Under Saddle, Trail, and All Around.”

“Moving to this world-class facility offers more opportunity for expansion. With the experienced staff at Johnna Stables, we are able to focus solely on training rather than the day to day of managing a facility. This provides the opportunity to serve more clients with the same amount of time and energy needed to achieve their goals and dreams.”

Taft and Adrienne are excited about their new home at Johnna Stables, which boasts top-notch accommodations. “Johnna Stables offers a combination of 12 x 12 and 12 x 16 matted stalls with individual fans, automatic waters, day lighting panels, automated LED lights, and windows for maximum lighting and ventilation,” they say. “The floors are heated with a rubber coating for safety and comfort. In addition, there are four, heated, wash stalls, plus a vet/farrier stall.”

“We have two indoor riding areas, a 80 × 140 arena, and a 60 × 60 indoor round pen. We also have two outdoor arenas, a 100 × 180 outdoor sand arena, and a 180 x 220 outdoor sand arena. There is a large observation lounge with bathroom, kitchen, fireplace, and WIFI, so clients and guests can relax and watch the activities in the indoor arena. We are conveniently located a few minutes from Interstate 81 and the PA Turnpike. It’s 15 minutes outside of Harrisburg, PA. Our farm borders the Appalachian Trail. We have many private trails to get the horses out of the ring and into the woods for a nice change of pace. We also offer many group and private turnout options for our horses.”

Taft and Adrienne are most excited about expanding their business to include more futurity horses in Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, and All-Around. “Ideally, we want a mixture of great futurity horses and a select number of all-around horses. Taft has future goals of becoming part of the Million Dollar Riders Club and adding a few more buckles to his collection. Adrienne really wants to become a well-known all-around trainer. At the end of the day, we want happy horses and happy clients. Seeing it all come together is what makes this business so special.”

Keep an eye out for Taft and Adrienne celebrating their new business endeavor with new clients in future editions of The Equine Chronicle.