01/09/2024
Welcoming Dena Lopez as the judge for the 2024 Smoky Mountain Equine Fest! Born in California to the legendary trainer and Hall of Famer Rob Tanner, Dena, her husband Dave, and daughter Alyssa moved to Versailles, Kentucky in 1988. They started their dream of Double D Ranch, which would become home to many World Champion horses. Dena is familiar with the winner circle, earning championship titles covering many divisions; including back to back wins in 2000 and 2001 when she claimed the 5-Gaited World Grand Championship at Louisville. Back then, there were few women in the industry that had reached that level of achievement. Dena is a perfectionist when it comes to sitting the saddle and was named the inaugural winner of the Trainers Equitation Cup in 2014. For many years she and Dave hosted Breakfast with the Babies; which was a promotional effort to educate people about American Saddlebred bloodlines and breeding. Dena has also raised thousands of dollars for the industry by underwriting, sponsoring, and hosting a fundraiser for the Dewey Henderson Foundation that assists professional horsemen who encounter challenging situations such as tornadoes, fires, and illnesses. Her dedication and support of the American Saddlebred has been impactful. We are honored to have her with us this season!
