But behind the smiles, grace, and excitement of the Tennessee Walking Horse World Championship, riders are vying for a lead spot in front of the judges for a chance to shine, to show, and most of all, to win.

"There is a lot of strategy in showing," says Patti Pollack, a Saratoga resident who has won 25 world championship titles in the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, one of the largest competitions for the breed. "You can't just sit still and hope and pray the judges will see you. You need to maneuver; you need to show your horse. It's not just get on and go."

Not only is Patti a prominent world championship contender, but her 10-year-old daughter, Ashley Diamond Pollack, is now carrying on the tradition. Ashley, a fifth grader at St. Andrews School, has placed in many regional and national shows; however, her biggest windfall was in August, when she took first place in the children's division of the International Grand Championship and second in the World Championships in Tennessee.

Horses were always a part of Ashley's life, thanks to her mother, but it was not until two years ago that her passion for riding galloped full speed ahead.

"She's quite naturally talented," Patti says. "She's not afraid and she learns fast. Once I saw her ride my horse for the first time, I knew she could handle him. She's that talented, and he's that talented."

That "him" is Pusharama, the pride of Patti and Ashley's riding life, the horse that has planted both mother and daughter in the winner's circle.

"He's a very high-powered horse, he's showy," Patti says. "But it was amazing to see how she rode him. Then, when she showed him, and won the international title, I started to cry. That horse took care of her. They're a great team."

Showing is all about teamwork, according to the Pollack's head trainer, James Norris. However, with a horse like Pusharama, that teamwork is immediately of a higher caliber.

"He's what we call a push-button horse—he does what he does on his own," Norris says. "So you take a horse like him and give him a rider as good as Ashley has become, and that's a team that's hard to beat."

Norris says Ashley has vastly improved over the past year, largely due to encouragement from her family. "Her family is the most supportive bunch of people I've seen in my life. And that's what a team is. It's not just the rider and horse that makes the team, it's the backing that goes along with it."

Of course, having a well-bred show horse helps tremendously. "Pusharama is the greatest horse living," Norris says. "Of course I'm partial to him, but he's an extremely talented individual. There's probably no better back-ended horse in the business. That's why he is so unique."

Tennessee walking horses were officially established in 1935, as a blend of standard-bred, Morgan, and thoroughbred stock. They have become an increasingly popular breed, thanks to their easy manner and glassy stride, which differs from the traditional up-and-down trot. The horses are bred to have a four-cornered gait that allows each foot to hit the ground separately at regular intervals. The result is an even ride, which enables the rider to maintain form with minimal jarring.

Heading to the family ranch in Morgan Hill three days a week for training, Ashley is excited for an upcoming competition in Reno on Oct. 16. "It's a smaller show, so I think I can do pretty good," she says. "It will be fun, horses are cool."

Competitions generally consist of a 30-minute display of the horse's movement, from a flat walk to a canter, and reversing in both directions. "It's not only about who has the best horse, but which horse has the best stamina. They have to be in really good shape," Patti says.

Of course the rider must have top form as well. "It takes a lot of practice to be a good rider. And it helps to have a really good trainer to teach you the little things," Patti says. "You can take a great horse and a fair rider up against an average horse with a great rider, and eight out of 10 times the great rider will look better."

Although Ashley isn't fully aware of her potential, her mother is. "For a 10-year-old, she's done a lot. I take pride in that," she says, but quickly emphasizes that winning this year does not mean Ashley—or her horse—get any slack for a job well done. "Just because you have a world champion this year doesn't mean you will next year. There is always another one warming up that's better," she says. "There is a lot of mental pressure to perform well; you just have to deal with it." However, Patti shoulders most of that burden for now.

"Ashley doesn't feel it yet—she's really enjoying it. She shows with a big smile on her face," Patti says. "She has no fear, no nervousness. She's going to be a great rider."