Calisa Wesley: From the Stands to the Show Ring
Article & photos by Kinley Humphries
The APHA/WCHA Halter Million is a family affair for Jeffery and Calisa Wesley of Creola, Alabama, usually with Jeffery showing the couple’s young stock. This year is special, though—instead of providing encouragement from the stands, it’s Calisa who found herself in the arena.
Jeffery has been showing for 25 years. He has dabbled in a little of every discipline, and halter horses just stuck.
“It’s always been a family thing for us, I always try to keep my kids involved in it,” Jeffery said.
Calisa and their son, Bryce, often accompany Jeffery to horse shows. Before meeting Jeffery, Calisa had never been around horses. She was not interested in competing, preferring instead to cheer from the sidelines.
“I like to show up, read my books, be supportive. That’s my thing,” Calisa said.
This year, though, Calisa found herself thrust into a hands-on role. While Jeffery was away, one of their mares went into labor. All alone, Calisa rolled up her sleeves to help their mare, relying on Jeffery’s coaching via Bluetooth as he watched the barn cameras from afar. His words of instruction? “Take your rings off, put them in your pocket and get in there.”
Jeffery did his best to coach Calisa, hoping the video feed wasn’t delayed. But the usually calm-and-collected horseman was worried.
“I don’t really get nervous when I show; I get nervous when other people are showing—it was kind of the same thing,” Jeffery said. “Not being able to help her definitely had me worked up pretty good.”
Calisa helped deliver Packin A Kimber, a 2025 bay solid filly by CR Peacemaker (QH) and out of JRA Im A Good Girl. As she dried off the newborn, Calisa knew she wanted to one day show the filly. Her reasoning was simple.
“Because I pulled her out,” Calisa said. “I feel like this was [Jeffery] hooking me on it because now she’s my horse. She ain’t going nowhere.”
“Kimber” is like a puppy dog, Calisa says.
“I never knew that you could love an animal that you couldn’t put in your lap until horses,” Calisa said.
The Wesleys brought two horses to the 2025 Halter Million: Kimber, along with Dreams N Gasoline, a 2023 sorrel overo mare by CR Peacemaker (QH) and out of Kioux (QH). On September 20, Calisa led Kimber into the show pen for their mutual debut. They were finalists in Weanling Mares and fifth in the WCHA Senior Weanling Fillies Owner-Breeder-Exhibitor class.
“Every time Kimber and I walk in the arena it gets better,” Calisa said. “We are learning together—I can’t wait to see what our future looks like.”
##
[Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted. Please credit the Paint Horse Journal and provide a link provided back to apha.com.]
About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.