Not My Day Job – Josh & Kaleena Weakly
Click here to read the complete article
402 – October, 2014
By Megan Arszman
Whether in the halter pen or the riding arena, it’s a pretty good guess that you’ve heard the last name “Weakly” being announced towards the top of the standings. What started out as a little crush at a horse show in Gordyville has blossomed into one powerful couple in AQHA and NSBA show circles.
Good Ole Gordyville
Josh Weakly grew up riding his pony around 4-H shows in Shelbyville, Illinois before moving on to major AQHA events. During one fateful show at Gordyville, in 2002, he met newly turned amateur Kaleena Katz. “We talked a little there, I found out a few of the shows she was going to next, and I went to those shows,” Josh says. “We hit it off pretty well. “
When Josh graduated from college, he moved back home to work on the family farm, which allowed him to hit the road with Kaleena. In 2003, Kaleena moved from Michigan to Shelbyville to attend college at Eastern Illinois University, and to be closer to Josh.
The pair married in the summer of 2005 in Shelbyville and started their life together, both inside and outside of the arena.
Meet Josh, the Salesman
Some people might think the farming industry is a dying breed, but Josh knows it’s just currently undergoing reinvention. “The farming world is unique,” he says. “The median age of a farmer is mid-60s and there aren’t a lot of younger guys able to get involved. The land costs, input, and equipment costs keep several up-and-coming farmers from being able to operate. The industry is much like several others. The big guys keep getting bigger and weeding the smaller guys out! It’s unfortunate.”
While in college at the University of Illinois, Josh studied agricultural business. He knew there was nothing else he wanted to do but continue his family’s tradition of working on the farm. During the winter, he worked at his grandfather’s implement business in town, Barkers Implement. After a couple of years, he decided to stay on full-time at the implement business. This was in 2004. When his grandfather fell ill in 2007, he sold the business to Josh. Now, Josh buys and sells all makes of new and used farm equipment and parts. “I have been very fortunate to have been able to continue [with the family tradition],” he says.
“’Workaholic doesn’t even begin to describe his work ethic,” Kaleena says of her husband. “The guy can’t sit still when we’re at home! He loves to work hard and play hard, and he loves competition.”
Kaleena, The Designer
From the old school practice of farming to the new ways of advertising, Kaleena’s chosen career path directed her towards graphic design. “I always wanted a job that I could incorporate the horses into, but I thought that was a fantasy,” she explains. “It took me awhile to decide on a major in college—a few years in fact. Then, one day while looking through The Equine Chronicle, I thought I could do this and I thought I’d really enjoy it.”
Kaleena decided she wanted to work on her own, not just for a design firm, because she wanted to design for equine publications. While still in school, she started Katz Graphics in 2005 and began building up her clientele even before receiving her diploma.
“Being a freelance designer has its perks. Along with being independent, I can work from literally anywhere and all I need is my laptop. I love making artwork for people who enjoy the same passion I do. I’m a big believer in having a job you love and loving what you do.”
The Weakly Farm
Josh is known for his success in the halter pen with multiple World Champions like Giancarla, Elusive Premonition, and FG Coco Chanel, just to name a few. He earned three AQHA Amateur World Championships in halter in 2013 alone. Meanwhile, Kaleena has been a top all-around and Western Pleasure contender since her amateur premier with Sonnys Count Te Zip, the horse she was showing when she met Josh. She later went on to win her first Congress Championship in Senior Western Riding in 2002.
“I always loved halter and the competition,” Josh says. “I rode a little as a kid, but I never really took to it. I never really learned how to ride either, or never cared to.”
In 2012, Kaleena earned her third AQHA All-Around Amateur High Point Championship with Hours Yours And Mine, a 2006 sorrel mare by The Radical Hour and out of One Pretty Blaze. Together with “Blondie,” Kaleena has earned thousands of lifetime points, a few Congress bronzes, and a NSBA World Championship. For the all-around events, Kaleena works with Jason and Jessica Gilliam, and her pleasure horse, Caught Me Looking, is in training with Lakins Quarter Horses. All of Josh’s halter horses are fitted and trained by Andy Staton.
Josh, Kaleena, and Jax
In January of this year, Kaleena and Josh added a new foal to the family, but this one wasn’t meant for the show pen. Instead, their new son, Jax, has been a blessing in their lives and has given the couple more drive to be the best at everything they do, in order to provide for their family.
Kaleena is now taking time to figure out how to balance being a full-time freelance designer, mother, and competitor. “I don’t think I’m really balancing it,” she laughs. “Raising and enjoying Jax is definitely my priority right now—everything else has taken a backseat. I’m so lucky to be able to play the stay-at-home mom role right now.”
Josh can’t help but beam with pride when he talks about his wife of nine years. “She has been a great wife, and she is now a great mother,” he says. “She has slowed down in her design business to be a mother, and she is enjoying it.”
Kaleena describes Josh much in the same way. “He is amazing! I knew he was a great husband, but I couldn’t have imagined how great he would be as a dad. He provides the world for us as a family.”
Kaleena has slowed down with her business and horse showing, and she’s now taking a more direct approach with everything she tackles. “I’m definitely shooting for more ‘quality rather than quantity’ when it comes to showing and designing,” she explains. “Whether I’m trying to work on a design or practice at the shows, I’m beyond blessed to have amazing people around me to help with Jax.”
Jax is already starting to carry on the family tradition. At the young age of three months, he had his first horseback ride—on “Blondie” of course! He loves animals, especially his little buddy, Annie Oakley, Kaleena’s Yorkshire Terrier. “He lights up whenever he sees her, and she was the first one to make him giggle,” Kaleena recalls.
As far as which direction Jax might go in the show arena, you can bet both Kaleena and Josh will be there to support him. “If it ends up being halter, or riding, we don’t care… whatever Jax wants to do,” she says. “We want to give him plenty of opportunities to explore and develop his own passions, whether they involve horses, tractor pulls, or hunting. The sky’s the limit!”
