Kelly Henderson

Kelly started riding at the age of 7. Her first horse experience was a little Shetland pony name “Dr. Pepper” that her mom leased for her so she could really test her love for horses. She of course took to it immediately. While she was leasing Dr. Pepper, she heard of a barn down the way that had a Welsh pony for sale. She begged her mom to go and see “Eliza” the beautiful dapple-grey pony was all a little girl could hope for. Her mother agreed to buy Eliza for her 9th birthday under one condition, that she learned to ride properly. Eliza happened to be stabled at Don & Sue Roby’s. Eliza was Steve Chadick’s pony (Sue’s son), and to this day, Steve never lets Kelly forget the day she “stole” Eliza from him!

The rest is history. Kelly starting riding American Saddlebreds under the guidance of Don & Sue from that day forward and never looked back. She was fortunate enough to win her first worlds champion with her black pleasure horse, Mainline. And subsequent championships would follow with her horses Targa, Night of Roses, and many more.

Kelly took a break from the horses after college, when she got married and started her own family. An invite from May & Steve Chadick to come and visit their barn pushed her right back into the horse world 15 years ago. Kelly has been back in the saddle ever since showing and competing as an adult. She is under the direction of May Chadick at Vantage Point Farm, a lifelong friend and former competitor.

Kelly joined the TASHA board in 2014 and served as President of the board from 2016-2020. Subsequently Kelly’s father Bob Marco was president of TASHA for many years in the 80’s and was inducted into the Texas Horseman’s Hall of Fame in 2014. She re-joined the board in 2023. She is passionate about TASHA, and very proud to be a part of the Texas Saddlebred community.