Photo by Leake Academy

By Robert Wilson

Leake Academy’s Taylor Allen won her second MAIS state girls singles tennis championship this spring. Only a small percentage of high school tennis players can say they won multiple state titles.

But Allen has accomplished even more in another sport.

The 17-year-old Allen – who will be a senior this fall – is a multiple world champion in the National Cutting Horse Association, the National Reined Cowhorse Association and the American Quarter Horse Association.

She has been a NRCHA Youth Cowhorse World Champion, a NCHA Junior Youth Reserve World Champion, a two-time AQHA Youth Cutting Reserve World Champion, a AQHA Youth Cowhorse Reserve World Champion, and a AQHA Youth Cutting World Champion.

Allen also was selected as one of five riders to represent Team USA for the AQHA Youth World Cup in 2023. 

She has committed to Texas Christian University’s Equestrian Team, one of the top equestrian collegiate teams in the country, consistently ranked in the Top 10.

It is hard enough to excel at one sport, but even more difficult to be outstanding in both. It takes a lot of discipline, organization and drive to accomplish that. And then there’s making sure the grades are up to par.

“When I am not traveling for horse shows and practicing, I am playing tennis and focusing on my academics,” Allen said. “Staying focused on my goals I feel has helped me be able to perform at a high level in both tennis, and the equestrian disciplines I compete in.”

Allen started taking tennis lessons early in life. 

“I began tennis lessons with (Meridian’s Northeast Park Tennis Center teaching pro) Pete Mazzella at the age of 4,” Allen said. “After a couple of years of instruction and lessons under Pete, I joined River Hills Tennis Club in Jackson. There have been multiple coaches through the years who have played a role in my tennis career and development as a player but primarily my instruction has been with my coaches at River Hills, Chicho Chavez and Nick Barone. The quality of coaching and support I have received from Chicho and Nick has been second to none. I am very grateful for the wonderful facilities and the opportunity to be challenged by other players and coaches. I credit the majority of my success to the coaches I have had through River Hills.”

Allen was the MAIS Class 5A No. 1 girls singles state runner-up two years ago as a freshman. Then, she won the 5A No. 1 girls singles state championship last season as a sophomore, the first tennis state title in school history. She followed up with another No. 1 singles title and led her team to the state team title, also a first in school history. 

  “My goals going into junior season were to continue improving my mental toughness and serves with the intent to win a back to back state championship,” Allen said. “I feel one of my biggest improvements this season was being able to remain more consistently focused throughout my matches.  Ending my junior season with a back to back state championship meant a lot because of all the hard work I have put in.”

“Taylor’s commitment to excellence is unmatched,” Leake tennis coach Hayley Warner said. “I could not be more proud of the way she handles herself on and off the court. She is so talented, hardworking and gracious. She spends countless hours a week on the court perfecting her game, and it shows every time she steps on the court. Taylor is truly a champion. She is an encouragement and an inspiration to her teammates. It’s a true pleasure to to have her on the team.”

About the same time Allen started playing tennis, she also starting riding horses.

“It began as a hobby but I quickly realized I would love to gain more knowledge, improve my skills, and start competing,” Allen said. “The two disciplines I compete in are Cutting through the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) and Reined Cowhorse through the National Reined Cowhorse Association (NRCHA).” 

Ricky Thaggard was Allen’s first riding instructor.

“When I was four I started taking riding lessons from Ricky,” Allen said. “He came from a cutting background and after several years of lessons he determined I was ready to start showing. I began showing in the Mississippi Junior High School Rodeo Association in the reined cowhorse and cutting events under the instruction of Ricky. I showed in junior high rodeo for three years before stepping into the National Reined Cowhorse

Association and National Cutting Horse Association. Each discipline requires a horse specifically trained for its job. Within this sport the riders ability has to match the “horsepower”, so as I progressed in my riding skills and gained more show experience it

led to my parents and I searching for horses that would provide me with more opportunities in practice as well as the show pen.”

Allen found a reined cowhorse in Oklahoma.

“I began riding under Mr. Todd Crawford’s instruction in the reined cowhorse discipline. At this point I began traveling to his place in Blanchard, Oklahoma, to practice as much as possible. This included using school holidays and summer breaks.”

Allen also traveled to Collierville, Tenn., to train.

“During this time, we moved my cutting horses to Zeke Entz in Collierville,” Allen said. “He helped me grow in so many aspects of the sport. I learned the fundamentals of showing with feel as well as reading cattle. He played a very volatile role in my riding ability in both disciplines. I credit much of my success in the cutting to Zeke.”

In 2024, Allen changed her course and traveled to Texas.

“I decided to change my direction in the cutting and start showing in the aged events instead of the weekend shows,” Allen said. “At this time I began showing under the instruction of Craig Thompson, Thompson Cutting Horses in Weatherford, Texas. The aged events are a fun challenge showing younger horses. I am still currently showing aged event horses with Craig and really enjoy the challenge.”

“Taylor is an exceptional student athlete whether it be in the classroom, on the tennis court or in her equine events,” Leake athletic director Josh Ray said. “She is always striving to be her best in everything that she does. Taylor definitely represents  our school well in all she does.”

Allen is the daughter of Janet and Shane Allen. Janet was a cheerleader at Neshoba Central High. Shane played football and baseball at Philadelphia High. Janet and Shane both graduated from Mississippi State. They live in Philadelphia. Allen’s grandparents (Tim and Gail Allen and Lynn and Brenda Yates) also live in Philadelphia.