Our Story

At the tender age of 4, after her very first riding lesson at a Morgan horse barn, a young Bethea turned to her mother and exclaimed, 'Isn't it great that I've found my thing?' Little did she know that this proclamation would shape the course of her life, marking the beginning of her lifelong devotion to the Morgan breed.

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Growing up in a single-parent household, Bethea nurtured dreams of one day owning her own horse. She watched with longing as her stablemates received beautifully adorned horses with oversized bows as Christmas gifts, a sight that filled her with envy. At the age of 11, armed with determination, she even presented a well-structured business plan to her mother, suggesting the acquisition of a stallion 'for tax purposes' and to offset boarding costs. However, convincing her parent proved to be a challenge.

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Nevertheless, Bethea cherished her involvement in the Morgan world, competing in the winter tournament academy divisions and eventually graduating to the A circuit on a lesson horse, even if it meant only one or two shows per season. Additionally, she participated in Youth of the Year programs, always holding onto the dream of reaching the "Gateway of Champions", although the dream seemed distant.

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After graduating, Bethea started working as a stable hand in the very Morgan show barn where she had grown up taking lessons. She lovingly tended to the show horses she adored but held even grander dreams for her role within the breed. There was something magical about the early morning serenade of horses munching on hay, yet she yearned to hold the reins of a horse of her own. Occasionally, she would 'window shop' for Morgans for sale, even though she wasn't yet in a position to make a purchase. Then, fate intervened.

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In 2013, Bethea stumbled upon Ego Tripping, a two-year-old black stallion with incredible potential. He was then owned by Annie Morgan-Flynt at the Morgan Horse Farm in Lebanon, Ohio. He was the embodiment of the black stallion she had always dreamed of since childhood, with a likeness to her first love- the lesson horse she rode as a junior exhibitor, and she believed Tripp had immense potential as a hunter, the discipline she had grown up with. It was a match made in heaven. Later that year, just before Christmas, Ego Tripping arrived, and Bethea's lifelong dream was realized. She had made it happen all on her own.

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Bethea dreamed of training Tripp herself as an AOTS (Amateur Owned, Trained and Shown) exhibitor, a testament to her determination and grit and was dedicated to bring out the potential she saw in him. Together, they embarked on a journey that saw them compete in junior horse divisions, then into the Youth, Amateur, and Open divisions.

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In 2014, quite unintentionally, Bethea set the wheels in motion for what would become 'Alden Customs.' While searching for a friend who could design her own show ring outfits more affordably, her unique style caught the attention of others who soon started asking her to create outfits for them as well. Up until that point, Bethea had relied on just one outfit that had been passed down from a fellow barn mate. She fully understood the staggering costs associated with show apparel and saw this as an opportunity to give back to the breed that had given her so much. By providing an alternative for affordable apparel, she aimed to support other exhibitors facing financial challenges similar to her own upbringing.

 

In 2015, Bethea realized a significant milestone, clinching the reserve world champion title in the Youth of the Year competition in Oklahoma. As she aged out of the Youth of the Year category the following year, she set her sights on achieving the Justin Morgan Badge, the sixth and final badge of the Youth Programs. Only 32 others had accomplished this feat in the last 45 years.

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The following year, Tripp achieved a remarkable victory, claiming the prestigious East Coast Hunter Pleasure championship at the renowned New England Morgan Horse Show. In 2018, Bethea and Tripp embarked on a new chapter as they moved to Tennessee, settling on the former Mundy Quarter Horse property, where their breeding journey would begin.

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Today, Bethea and Tripp are more than owner and horse; they're 'roommates,' with Bethea living in the "barndominium" with her fiancé. Annie, whom Bethea purchased Tripp from, now proudly manages his breeding career, and the two are dear friends. It's a storyline she had always hoped for as a little girl watching horse movies, though she could never have imagined it would be this incredible.

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Bethea's dedication to the Morgan breed runs deep in her veins. In 2023, she achieved another milestone, becoming a licensed USEF small 'r' official, ready to contribute her boundless passion to the breed in even more ways.

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As she eagerly anticipates the arrival of her first foal crop in 2024, Bethea looks forward to welcoming the next chapter of her remarkable journey, fueled by her lifelong commitment to the magnificent Morgan horse.