About Us

A Journey Rooted in Connection, Growth, and Trust

For many, the pull toward horses begins as more than a childhood dream. It is an instinctive connection—one drawn to grace, freedom, and the quiet power of partnership. What starts as fascination often matures into a lifelong passion shaped by discipline, self-discovery, and deep respect for these remarkable animals.

As riders grow, so does their understanding of horsemanship. It becomes not simply an activity, but a way of life—one that fosters confidence, patience, and presence. The bond between horse and rider evolves through experience, communication, and mutual trust.

At Natchez Bend, we exist to support this journey in all its stages. Whether introducing a young rider to their first canter or helping an adult refine advanced skills, we are committed to guiding each individual with care, purpose, and integrity.

For many, the first encounter with a horse feels almost magical. It’s a moment filled with wonder, excitement, and possibility—a spark that ignites a lasting connection. At Natchez Bend, we honor that spark and nurture it at every stage of life.


Our Equestrian Experience

Trish Franks

Mrs. Franks is a certified instructor and has been teaching for over 40 plus years. Extensive English and Western Disciplines has been the focus of her horsemanship for 46 years. Dedicated to horse and rider development, Franks has coached students to Olympic Young Rider Competitions and to Championships in Glad Stone, New Jersey. Franks is also an NRHA money and trophy earner and has numerous AQHA points in all around divisions.


Growing up, she was very active in 4H showing horses and earning trophies and ribbons with Show cattle. Franks has owned and showned several NRHA champions including Shining Marshall, Son of Shining Spark and Miss Lucky Tatoo and was a Futurity Finalist in 2000. Pepantari was another Stallion that Campaigned from 2000 to 2002 with Multiple Wins and finishing 3rd in the Top Ten Open Horses in NRHA. He went on to produce two foals for the Franks family.

The Trish Franks School of Riding, under the direction of Franks, started the first Middle Tennessee Interscholastic Equestrian Middle School and High School Competition Teams. Two years later the Western Team began under the direction of Franks daughter, Brittany.

An additional Community project that captures the hearts and hands of the NB Equestrian Team is by assisting children from the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home to learn to ride and share in the joys of being “on the farm”.

We share ride times with the YMCA YCAP program for summer inner school students to visit and learn to ride also. Both are just a few of the dedicated commitments that Franks makes for the community and to teach her riding students of having a helping hand and building relationship and learning to become a gracious leader.


In addition to the normal day to day work inside the arena, Trish for fun when time allows competes in trail riding competitions and has trained with many clinicians over the last 35 years across the United States and Canada. Her most daring  adventure in 1998 was taking 3 horses to the bottom of the Grand Canyon (when horses were allowed) and spent the night at Phantom Ranch then returned the following day for the uphill climb. Franks has spent several years assisting with guided trail trips in the Pecos Wilderness in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.

Brittany Franks

Brittany Franks is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of MTSU in criminal justice and graduated from Nashville School of Law with Honors. She is a professional horsewoman affiliated with the NRHA, AQHA, USEF, and the MTHJA. Brittany has 18 years of horse experience with accomplishments in the following:


  • Multiple championships in the hunter/jumper arena
  • Pony Club member for 11 years
  • Mulitple AQHA and NRHA championships nationally and internationally
  • Tied for 1st place in the Young Rider Division of the USEF in 2002 for Young Rider World medal standings
  • Finished Top Ten NRHA standings 2000 and 2002 & Top Ten All American Quarter Horse Congress 2000
  • Fourth Place at the Festival of Champions in the Young Rider Medal Finals at Gladstone, New Jersey
  • Brittany has had the opportunity to ride and train with the world’s best reining instructors, including Debbie Atkinson in 3-day eventing
  • Camp counselor for Natchez Bend Farm’s Critter Keepers, a popular farm animal camp for 6 years
    She is also responsible for the nutritional and veterinary guidelines for the horses at Natchez Bend.
  • Natchez Bend Barn and Horse Manager, Equine Administrative and IEA Western IEA Head Coach


Brittany is now a practicing attorney, in addition to her management responsibilities of the Riding School and being the Head Coach of the Reining Team and the Western Division of the Natchez Bend Equestrian Team Inc.

A palomino horse peers over a fence decorated with sunflowers and a scarecrow;