Showing horses is often defined by the flash of a silver-adorned saddle or the blue of a championship ribbon, but for Georgia competitor Lisa Wilkes, the true story is written in the quiet moments between the gates and the long-term legacy of a breeding program.

In the high-stakes arena of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) circuits, two horses have come to define her recent journey: Made Like No Other (Scotty), the seasoned professional in the Western Pleasure, and Up N The Ante (Jose), the brown gelding that has demonstrated that a horse’s true calling is sometimes found in the most unexpected places.

The 2026 season began with a familiar rhythm and a string of successes for Made Like No Other. Following a strong showing at the 2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress in the Amateur Select Western Pleasure, Lisa took Made Like No Other to Venice, Florida, for the Fun N Sun Futurity. The Florida sun proved to be a fitting backdrop for a horse that seems to thrive under pressure.

In Venice, the pair dominated, winning the circuit in the Select Western Pleasure and taking the top spot in the Maturity Non-Pro Western Pleasure. For Wilkes, the wins were a testament to a partnership that was still relatively new.

“This was only my second show with Scotty,” she said. “He was as fun to show this time as he was at the Congress.”

The success in Florida served as a prelude to a different kind of duty. Following the show, Scotty was sent to Richland Ranch to stand for the 2026 breeding season. It is a transition that marks the duality of a top-tier stallion’s life – navigating the precision of the show ring one month and the future of the breed the next.

Despite his breeding obligations, Wilkes’ plans for Made Like No Other remain ambitious. He is slated to be her partner for the Select and Maturity Non-Pro Western Pleasure events throughout the year. While the competitive fire remains – Wilkes admits she, like any exhibitor, would love to end the season with a “globe” in her hand –her perspective has shifted toward a more grounded philosophy.

“I just want to have fun showing Scotty this year at all the major shows,” she said. “If I have learned anything with showing horses, it is to enjoy every ride.”

While Scotty and Jose command the spotlight in the arena, the heartbeat of the operation is found in the foaling barn. The path to the winner’s circle often begins with years of planning, and as any breeder knows, that path is rarely smooth.

Last year brought its share of challenges. Setbacks in the breeding shed and the loss of several foals in utero meant a smaller crop than anticipated. However, the arrival of the first foal of the year, a red road filly nicknamed Fran has provided a bright spot. Described as “super cute and great legged,” Fran represents the promise of things to come.

The anticipation continues to build as Lisa awaits a foal by Made Like No Other out of VS Code Me Lucky. The cross is an encouraging one, having produced high-quality results in the past. With five more foals due next month, the “village” that supports Lisa’s program is preparing for a busy spring, ensuring the next generation of athletes is given every advantage from day one.

If Scotty is the consistent veteran, Up N The Ante – or Jose – is the horse that taught Wilkes the importance of listening to what a horse wants to be.

Sired by No Doubt Im Lazy and out of Bettin With My Heart, Jose was a horse Wilkes raised herself. From the beginning, he was a handful. Raised by a recipient mare who Wilkes describes as “probably too kind,” Jose developed a mischievous, independent streak early.

“I would tell her on a daily basis she needed to discipline him,” Wilkes joked. “As a yearling, he was constantly loping and playing in the field. I should have recognized then that he was an all-around horse in the making with his stamina.”

The initial plan was traditional: Jose was to be a Western Pleasure horse. When trainer Wade Parks started him, Jose was still a stallion. But as the horse grew, his physical attributes began to clash with the requirements of the Western Pleasure pen. His stride was getting bigger, his reach more significant.

The turning point came during a show in Florida. Wade Parks called Lisa with a blunt assessment.

“Lisa, I just don’t think Jose can do the pleasure,” Parks told her. “He has great rhythm, but his stride is just too big. If I asked him to slow down for the pleasure, his front leg is not going to be good at all.”

The news could have been a disappointment for a self-described “Western Pleasure girl,” but the conversation quickly shifted to Jose’s potential in other disciplines. Parks suggested the Hunt Seat. After a single evening of testing Jose’s extended trot, the verdict was in. People at the show were already stopping to ask about the brown gelding with the eye-catching movement.

Up N The Ante was gelded, and his career as an all-around horse began. He started in Hunter Under Saddle as a 3-year-old and progressed to Trail as a 4-year-old, followed by Horsemanship and Equitation. This year, the repertoire expands again as he enters the Western Riding.

The transition from the specialized world of Western Pleasure to the multi-disciplinary All-Around circuit was a learning curve for both horse and rider. Wilkes credits much of that success to trainer Carly Parks.

“Carly has taught me so much,” Wilkes said. “I honestly had zero knowledge of the all-around classes. The way you present your horse and execute patterns is different.”

That education was put to the test at the Congress last year. After a disappointing performance in the Level 1 Equitation, Wilkes found herself frustrated. Carly, however, saw an opportunity. She pushed Wilkes to enter the Level 3 class – a much harder pattern against tougher competition.

“She said, ‘Lisa, the good thing is you get to show the Equitation again. You and Jose can do it,’” Wilkes recalled.

The confidence was well-placed. Wilkes and Jose went on to win the Level 3 Amateur Equitation at the Congress in their first full year of showing the event. It was a milestone that solidified Up N The Ante’s status as a top-tier athlete and Wilkes’ growth as a versatile rider.

Today, Jose is known as a “big teddy bear” with a heart of gold. He is a horse that thrives on work and stays “forgiving” as Wilkes learns the nuances of new patterns. His trophy room is already crowded, with wins at the NSBA World Show and a bronze globe at the AQHA World Show in Level 3 Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation and Hunter Under Saddle.

Reflecting on her journey with Scotty and Jose, Lisa is quick to point out that no win happens in a vacuum. The “setbacks” – the injuries, the horses that don’t train up, the losses – are balanced by the support of a dedicated team.

She credits her husband, Mike, for his unwavering encouragement, and her two sets of trainers – Kenny and Ashley Lakins, and Wade and Carly Parks – for keeping the horses healthy and on track.

For Lisa, the move into the all-around arena has been more than just a way to collect ribbons; it has been a way to stay engaged with the sport she loves.

“It keeps me busy at the shows,” she said. “I get to ride a lot, which I love. The more I get to ride, the better rider I am.”

As the 2026 season moves forward, the goals remain clear: stay competitive, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the ride. Whether it’s Scotty in the Western Pleasure or Jose in the all-around classes, the focus is on the bond between horse and rider – a bond that has proven to be the most rewarding win of all.