Robert Justin Case

         Justin has been riding horses since a very early age. Though his Mom had him on horses as a young lad, he remembers his first solo ride at age 6 on a Thoroughbred named Eric the Red (bareback) owned by a neighbor. He was hooked!

     Sports dominated his life, including horses, and a pro tennis career awaited him while in college. Justin rode at every opportunity he could regardless of where he was. At 34, he bought his second horse as an adult: an Appaloosa named Corny, who taught him much about horsemanship and competitive reining. Justin crossed-trained Corny in barrel racing and pole bending. In the 90's he bought his SD roping quarter horse  Pickles, who tried hard to teach him to rope correctly. Justin enjoyed ranch rodeos but soon found out his roping skills were best suited to his job as a working cowboy in South Dakota rather than in the arena.

     On Saturday, September 4, 2010, Justin entered The ACTHA COMPETITION in Beech Grove, TN. Usually 6 miles and 6 obstacles, this ride was a 7 Miles - 7 Obstacles Course that was challenging and his first competition horseback of any kind since his last Ranch Rodeo in Mobridge, SD in 1999. Out of 24 Riders, he won, placing first with 64 points out of a possible 70. He credits his horse Smokey with the win as the Course was extrememly tough and he had to trust Smokey time and again to keep them both safe. Smokey won top horse 62-58 with the Team at first with 126 points. Justin would like to point out as well that one of his long-time students, Melisa Allen, entered as a first-timer as well and finished 13th. She and her horse Blondie exhibited a lot of courage and determination as well as excellent horsemanhip skills in completing this ride. "CONGRATS! I am proud of you!"

     In 2006, Justin bought his current horse, Smokey, who is an Appendix QH. Smokey is a good all-around horse and Justin uses him in clinics as well as riding lessons, and, I guess now, some competitions. Though Justin has owned many other horses and ridden more than he can remember, these three (Smokey, Pickles, and Corny) stand out.

     Justin relocated to Tennessee in December of 2005 to help care for his parents. He graduated from UNC (P) in 1974 with a BS Degree. Justin participated in the martial arts for 13+ years, owning a Dojo which he sold in 1988. Justin incorporates a lot of his martial arts training into his own horsemanship as well as those of his students. This background has helped him & others to create balance, patience and harmony between horse and rider. Almost thirty years ago, Cliff Fisher, in his sixties at the time, straightened Justin out with a deeper understanding of the horse. Cliff instructed him to put the horse first and foremost and safety would follow for both horse and rider. He thanks Cliff, all the horses, and all the cowboys who have continued his education over the years; especially Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt.

     Justin has been coaching since age 14. He started "charging" for lessons in 1998. Justin is a life long student of horsemanship, as he says: "Perfecting horsemanship is a lifelong journey and that is not long enough!" He keeps learning from the horse every single day. During the Winter months, he adds personal development classes, speaking engagements and private "life coaching" to his schedule. "There is nothing you cannot achieve."  HIs first book on horsemanship, THE INNER GAME OF HORSEMANSHIP, will out be out by Summer 2011.

     Michele Carson is Justin Case Horsemanship's 2011 Apprentice. Michele is a Crossville native and has been riding since age 6. She competes in barrel racing, pole bending as well as some show events. In 2010, Michelle has won a first and numerous seconds thru fourths.

     Justin has this to say about Michele: "She is very passionate about horses and her goal is to eventually become both a trainer and clinician. Michele has tremendous balance, a good handle, and the horses love her. Her immediate goal is to become a consistently winning barrel racer by building a better relationship with her horses."

     Michele will assist Justin in clinics.

     Michele is married to her sweetheart Todd Carson. They have two beautiful daughters Abby and  Kaitlyn.

   Smokey & Michele Share A Moment