As president of Bartow Precast, manufacturers of precast concrete products for underground utilities and water and sewer containment, Michael Tidwell brings a business approach to his passion for showing horses.

Although he started showing horses at the age of 19, met his wife, Justine at the horse shows and continued to show with her, they ended up drifting away from it for a while.

“When we came back in 2012, Justine and I agreed that we were going to show horses ‘our way,’” he says. “If we didn’t like something, we wouldn’t do it. If we didn’t agree with fees or costs, we wouldn’t participate. If we had questions, we would request explanations. Reluctantly taking a passive role in years past had caused us to dislike everything about showing horses…except the horses!”

The decision to be in the driver’s seat led the Tidwells to Georgia trainer Jason English, a move they both agree allowed them to enjoy their hobby and sport again.

“It’s a very good relationship,” Michael insists. “He knows how to talk to me, and he knows how I think…and, whether he values it or not, he certainly makes me feel like he respects it. He treats me like I try and treat my clients.”

Justine made her return to the show arena with Cowboysainteasytoluv (Waylon) , a 2010 Palomino sired by Willy Be Invited and out of Call Me Snuggles. They clicked immediately and started logging 2-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle wins at some major futurities, like the Reichert Celebration and Top 5 placings at the National Snaffle Bit Association’s World Show. Over the next few years Justine was able to begin Horsemanship and Trail on Waylon and in 2013 Cowboysainteasytoluv was crowned Junior Hunter Under Saddle Champion at the Palomino World Show. He was sold last year and Justine is continuing her show career with Hot N Huntin, a 2003 sorrel gelding by Hot N Blazing and out of the Thoroughbred mare Lace And Silk, this year.

“It was a great opportunity to begin learning those events,” Justine says. “As much as I hated selling Waylon, it felt so good to share him with someone who was already doing these ‘new’ events; and giving him the opportunity to shine.”

Michael was just toying with the idea to get back into showing that same year Justine found Cowboysainteasytoluv. But fate led him to a Silk N Sudden (Cali), a 2007 brown mare by RL Best Of Sudden and out of Gimmie Invester. By the end of 2012 they were winning Novice Amateur Western Pleasure classes. Last year the couple shared Cali, with Justine showing in Novice Amateur Western Pleasure and Michael competing in Novice Horsemanship.

“We both love this mare,”Michael admits.

And although this year he has a new horse in Good Hot Gal, a 2012 mare by Zippo Hot Pine and out of Good Timin Tigress, the Tidwells say they have secretly “saved her” for their son, Ross, now 9.

The Tidwells say it actually helps for them both to show because of the support they get from each other.

“While Michael doesn’t show Spider and I don’t show Hannah, we occasionally ride the other’s horse just so we can relate to one another,” Justine says. “We’re not nearly as critical of one another since we do that. Michael rode Spider down in Florida and got off after three rounds. He laughed and said ‘I don’t see how you do this.’ It makes it a little easier to help one another when you can acknowledge it’s easier said than done.”

The Tidwells have found ways to juggle the show schedule, even with Ross in tow at the shows. The one thing they love most about showing horses though is the family atmosphere they are able to carry over to the venues.

“We typically trade-off watching Ross,” she explains. “But he’s gotten older and is very responsible now. We certainly have the help of our friends in the barn; and other horse show parents as well. We’ll often take turns and watch their kids while they show and Ross will hang out with them when we’re in the pen. We know so many people at the shows; it really works. We’ll usually head to dinner with one extra kid; and then trade off the next evening… especially if there’s any entertainment around, like a beach, or game room. We enjoy sharing the same values with other horse show parents; so it’s very rewarding that way.”
Of course it’s a challenge to juggle busy work and school schedules and sometimes Justine has to remain at a show alone while Michael and Ross come and go at the shows.

“I was at the Congress by myself after they left and I stayed to show in Florida this year after they left,” Justine says. “It’s hard being away from them, since we’re a very close family.”

Michael’s job is very demanding and in addition to running his own company he serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Precast Concrete Association, based in Carmel, Indiana. The association is comprised of producer members (those who make precast products) and associate members (those who supply the industry).

“I’ve been very fortunate to develop friendships with many others in our industry,” Michael says. “As individuals, we are all trying to produce better, higher quality products, so we talk about the challenges we face in our companies. Since we’re scattered all over the country, someone will host a plant tour and members are invited to see their production facility. It may be a competitor down the road, or someone across the country. We share secrets to getting the job done better, and more efficiently.”

Michael says he’s grown as a businessman by participating in the association.

“I used to think, the worse job my competitor does, the better I look. Now, I realize that my competitor’s poor job only brings the entire industry down. His lack of knowledge, or acceptance of poor quality and business practices only makes the regulators look down on all precast concrete. The more I can do to support him and encourage him to step up his game, the more chances I have to succeed and see my industry grow – which allows my company to grow.”

He sees many similarities between his business life and his show life and is, for the most part, encouraged by the shift he’s seen recently in the horse industry.
“I believe the Quarter Horse industry is beginning more and more to practice similar concepts,” Michael says. “We’ve identified several threats to our industry and we’re beginning to put our selfish motivators aside and work together to combat the competition. The precast business is fragmented – much like the horse business. Most of us are turning out good products, but we aren’t promoting the ‘product’ in a united effort (because we’re fragmented).”

Michael suggests imagining the Quarter Horse industry competing against Disney.

“We’ve got hundreds of trainers that do things differently and produce different results with different resources and levels of competitor,” he says. “Disney is one single incredible brand. They have two locations in the country that follow one corporate mission and one set of standards. They have training manuals and schools and benefits for employees, and branding and marketing. They don’t mess up a lot!”

Similarly, the horse industry competes against other sports and recreational opportunities.

“We battle the threat of outsiders who don’t understand our sport and cite a few bad apples as reasons we shouldn’t exist,” he says.   “We battle high barriers to entry; such as cost and a large amount of time required of participants. During times of threat, we sometimes circle the wagons and shoot inward (blaming our own people).”
He argues that the more participants come together, identify goals and help fellow competitors “the more we lift up our sport and industry.”

“Our son, Ross, has been coming to horse show since he was six months old,” Michael says. “He showed Lead Line, but hasn’t shown much interest in riding. We put some pressure on him to take lessons and give it a shot. He just hasn’t had the interest. I finally said to Justine, ‘this isn’t how we got started.’ Most of us had a pony or some ole pasture plug. We fell in love with horses and riding and found our way to a horse show through 4-H or a local saddle club. Then the interest and passion grew. There’s no fun in getting tossed up on a made pleasure horse and being told to sit up straight, hold your hand down and look straight ahead. Because of this, lately I’ve been thinking about the entry-level trainers and coaches… you know… the, lady who has five or six lesson horses and an after school program. She brings a couple of kids to the Quarter Horse show, they lap us in the pen and back with their heads up in the air.”

Michael suggests that every amateur and trainer on the grounds should offer that lady and those kids a hand; or at least an encouraging word.
“We need more participation in our sport,” he says. “I’d rather be third in a class of 20 than win a class of three. Most of us have a reality check every now and then and ask ourselves why we do this.”
The Tidwells have been giving a lot of thought to what they could have if they didn’t show horses; a second home, better vehicles, more vacations.

“We come to the same conclusion; we do it to because of our passion,” he says. “Is passion enough to keep us relevant for the next 75 years? The answer could be as simple as solving this challenge: Create a horse show experience that makes it easy to explain to my (non horse show) friends why I do what I do!”

Justine gets a lot of satisfaction in things she enjoys away from the shows too, like their home in Cartersville, Georgia.

“We enjoy entertaining and landscaping,” she says. “I love reading. We all enjoy the beach and vacations. Lately, I’ve had a litter of Labrador puppies to keep me busy. I enjoy arranging orchids and other flowers. It seems I’m always working on something floral for a friend’s home, prom, or charity.”
But both Michael and Justine say they are still chasing “that elusive big win,” and along the way want desperately to be a part of what they insist is an improving sport.

“I do see several groups and individuals addressing theses concerns,” Michael says. “I’ve noticed horse shows and futurities making an effort to provide more fun; more hours and opportunities to socialize and have dinner with our friends. The trophies and awards have improved, and pay-outs at the futurities have improved; particularly by cutting checks at the event.”

Justine agrees. “I appreciate all the recent rule changes and trends, such as showing off the rail, or lengthening the stride, or putting our hunt seat horses back on the rail,” she says. “However, I worry it is becoming a bit ‘knee jerk.’ It’s making it hard to understand and keep up. That’s why I want to be more involved. Many of these changes are great, but I feel behind the curve and I’d like to be on the front-end of these advancements.”

“At this point he isn’t quite interested in showing,” Michael says. “For once we have the perfect horse for him, and he isn’t interested. I’m sure once we sell her, he will be begging to show!”

The Tidwells started the new show year off strong with their new horses at the Fun In The Sun Futurity in Venice, Florida this past January. Good Hot Gal won the 3-Year-Old Limited Western Pleasure with Jamie Murrow. Michael and “Hannah” were Reserve in the 3-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure. Justine placed well at the Fox Lea Farms Winter Circuit. This summer the Tidwells plan to compete at A Little Futurity in North Carolina, the Buckeye Classic in Ohio and at the NSBA World Show. They also want to show at the AQHA East Novice Championship and the Quarter Horse Congress and Justine hopes to get qualified for the AQHA World Show.

So what is it like to show with your spouse?

“The only difficult time we’ve had was last year, while sharing Cali. It was hard for me to practice and show in Western Pleasure and give Michael enough time to practice Horsemanship,” Justine says. “Jason let us break our promise that we wouldn’t ‘tag team’ a horse… but it worked out that we could both show her. She’s a great mare; and it was just too good of an opportunity to pass up.”