Mane 'n Tail rides with Chris Talley
Welcome to the Team
We have a new ambassador! Can you guess who it is? Here's a hint.
He is a 5* 3-Day Eventer, and was named as the favorite five star first timer at the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event this year. You may have recognized him on the jog strip, sporting the eye catching jacket, stylish hair and shining horse, Unmarked Bills.
Still stumped?
Announcing Chris Talley! Let us share his story with you and how he trusts Mane 'n Tail!
Born and raised a mere hour and a half from Mane ‘n Tail headquarters, Talley has been an avid user of the products for years. He recounts a memorable moment when Mane 'n Tail was his saving grace.
“I was doing the best I could, but I definitely needed a saving grace. I sprayed the Mane ‘n Tail Shine On before we went to the jog strip. He looked like he had been bathed a hundred times!”
How it all Began
Bitten by the horse bug at age four, Chris Talley began riding on a 27-year-old pony. Their partnership grew and around age 12, he welcomed a mare from a local auction into the family. Unbeknownst to Chris and his parents, that mare gave birth three months later to a beautiful foal, a surprise for the whole family.
This moment may have been foreshadowing the future. Now, Chris has a well-established breeding facility with his business partner, Hannah Salazar.
"Being in the breeding industry now, we are constantly watching the foal because so much can go wrong. It is funny to think back about how smoothly that foaling went in the field. The foal was up and feeding by himself!"
Chris and Hannah decided to merge his Eventing business and her dressage and breeding business when they met four years ago. A unique business plan has grown into a thriving equine training facility in Jeffersonton, Virginia called Zaragoza Acres. Home to 40+ horses, ranging from yearlings, to 3-year old’s, and numerous of Hannah and Chris’ performance horses including his 2-upper level Eventing mounts, Sandro’s Star and Unmarked Bills. Chris and Hanna specialize in breeding, handling, training, dressage, and eventing.
Chris dedicated his life and career to horses for as long as he can remember. We asked him if he was to do anything else, what would it be? His response?
"I used to run track in high school. That was the only other thing I enjoyed. I think it was because I used to pretend I was in the Kentucky Derby and racing against the other competitors."
We are sure Talley is not the only one who had this thought as a kid. Whether you envisioned a horse jumping the driveways and stone walls as you peered out the car window, or imagined you were racing other competitors in a track race. Horses will always be around us and we wouldn't want it any other way!
#Weridewithyou
When his flying Blue Jay on the back of his show jacket, worn on the jog strip caught our attention at the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event, we knew this would be a special partnership. His success and genuine character quickly had us cheering him on to his next success at the Devon Horse Show, where he took 2nd place, right behind Boyd Martin.
Mane ‘n Tail has been in Talley’s tack box for as long as he can remember. Chris remembers often asking his Mom on her way out to the store, “Hey mom, can you get the shampoo with the blue horses on it?”
We welcome Chris Talley into the Mane ‘n Tail team. Look for the blue horses in his tack box!
Be part of Team Mane 'n Tail and purchase Chris Talley's favorite products! The deep cleansing, and rich lather of the Mane 'n Tail Shampoo will leave your horse's coat smooth as silk. Follow up with the Mane 'n Tail Conditioner to moisturize and strengthen the hair. Leave the days of breaking hair strands in the past! Purchase your shampoo and conditioner with the blue running horses on Amazon now!