Alabama’s District 06 Director, Skeet Davis, Retires After 24 Years of Dedicated Service
When we caught up with “Skeet” Davis on a Friday afternoon, he was on his way to complete some maintenance work for his church. To know Skeet, you wouldn’t be surprised to hear that retirement from his NBHA Directorship hasn’t slowed him down one bit.
For just more than 24 years, Skeet served as the Alabama District 06 Director. He held his district to high standards and felt the district should always be a safe and family-friendly environment.
“When you show up, you cover-up,” Skeet would say, meaning any of that behavior like swearing and drinking were not permitted at his NBHA show. After the 2020 season, he bid a farewell to his longstanding post. “The NBHA has meant the world to me,” Davis said. “I was once told I wasn’t smart enough to be a Director of an Open Horse Association. I went to two NBHA shows in 1997, and on the third one, I was told that I was a director, and I’ve been a director ever since. That just meant the world to me.” And although he has hung up his Director hat, he has stated he has no plans to leave NBHA’s graces anytime soon.
Skeet plans to be back in action serving warm meals and supporting his beloved Alabama members and their families at the 2021 World Shows. He mentions that there is never any doubt as to where he is sitting in the arena when it comes time for competition. And he is so correct – he holds a reputation for being one of the best and loudest cheering sections in all of NBHA history.
“We always make sure to sit up high in the stands, if we didn’t, we tend to make people mad with how loud we cheer.” And Skeet was proud to say his cheering has no limits or favoritism – he often is asked by strangers to cheer for their rider, and that he does.
Today, Skeet is found spending time with family, operating his personal business, working as the Mission Chairman for his church’s missionaries, or dedicating his time back to a special project he began years ago – helping the disabled into or back into the saddle. Through his NBHA connections, Davis met Rusty Howell, who had created a special saddle for riders with physical challenges. To date, Skeet has given away 25 saddles that cost him $1,800 each to children and adults from all over the country who wish to pursue their passions horseback.
Skeet’s cheer and support may be a staple to the history of NBHA, but he himself has also made his own mark in the arena. Skeet road his prized gelding, SC Rains Okie Star or “Boomer,” for many years and was so proud of the partnership the two had. Together the duo won the 2012 Senior 4D championship at the Mid-South Nationals in Jackson, Miss. “It was all about Boomer because he took me through the pattern,” Davis later would reflect. “When I go to a horse show, he gets pictures taken of him — win, lose or draw — because he is such a pretty horse, and his attitude is just as good as his looks. That’s why I like Paints.” Boomer made his way to the greener pastures in the sky in late 2020, and there is no doubt he is missed dearly.
Davis had been previously awarded the NBHA Director of the Year in 2002 and Member of the Year in 2004 and 2008 – all of which are extremely high honors.
NBHA’s Director of Barrel Racing, Bailey Nahrgang, shared her sentiment. “Twenty-four years with one organization not only shows dedication and passion but sheer heart and grit. A Director’s job can be rewarding and fun, but much of the time it is hard thankless work. Skeet has set the bar high for those who follow but we are so thankful he is sticking around a bit longer to share with us his positive attitude and train up the next generation of cheering squads.”
All of NBHA wishes Skeet Davis all the best in his retirement from NBHA. It is with sincere gratitude we salute his 24 years in NBHA. Best wishes to our friend, Skeet.
