"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," is a famous quote from Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. It signifies that even the most daunting or long-term goals can be achieved by focusing on the initial and manageable action.
For Elisabeth (BiBi) BiYun Beasley and her twin sister, Maxine BiXia Beasley, their life journey has taken them much further than a thousand miles. They were born in October 2007 in GuiPing, located in China’s Guangxi province.
Nine months later, their mom, Beth, and their grandmother, Linda Beasley, flew to Nanning, China to bring them home to the United States, but both babies became extremely ill. Maxine and then BiBi were diagnosed with breathing issues, later described as a rare viral pneumonia.
A medical evacuation flight was arranged by their grandfather, Jimmy Beasley, to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, but due to the start of the 2008 Olympics in China, the Chinese government would not allow the medical evacuation flight. So, Beth and her mother decided to evacuate with the girls commercially and pray for the best.
It was a journey of 7,500 miles, one which resulted in a diagnosis of improved health, American citizenship for the girls and peace of mind for their family. Afterwards, they stayed at the family’s farmhouse in Shelbyville, Tennessee, during the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.
It’s almost impossible not to soak in the sound and excitement of the world’s largest walking horse show, even at 10 months old. Plus, their love for the breed came naturally from their great-grandfather, Jim Beasley, a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Hall of Fame, and their mom, who has ridden no other breed except for walking horses from a young age, thanks to her parents and grandparents.
While living in Venice, California, just a block from the beach, Beth would take the girls to the farmers’ market in a double stroller. There they would ride ponies and practice for their futures in the show ring that started with the Lead Line division.
“When BiBi and I attended a Presbyterian preschool, we would cry hysterically because we did not want to leave our mom. We suffered from severe separation anxiety, which is common in international adoptees,” explained Maxine.
One place they felt comfortable was sitting on a pony. The Beasley twins started riding at the tender age of two. Their first pony was Black Jack, probably the perfect choice, as he was 25 years old. They were also in good hands under the direction of Russ Thompson and Greg Bryant.
The girls continued riding and showing in Lead Line classes after the family moved from California to Athens, Alabama. There they were under the guidance of Kim Bailey and Beetle Bailey. Maxine won the 2013 Lead Line World Grand Championship aboard Rattle & Snap with her mother, Beth, at the lead. BiBi then followed Maxine by winning the 2014 Lead Line World Grand Championship also aboard Rattle & Snap with Kasie Sanderson at the lead.
Next step in the Beasley’s journey
Moving into the youth padded divisions, at the age of six, the girls learned to ride at Philip Trimble’s Stables. BiBi’s first show in the 11 & Under division was at the Sam Gibbons Memorial Horse Show in Athens, Alabama, in 2015. It was a great moment that resulted in her first blue ribbon while riding solo aboard Inception. BiBi then turned over the reins to Inception to Maxine, who first showed Inception at the 2015 Celebration. This team showed 49 more times from 2015 to 2019, winning 14 blue ribbons including a World Championship at the 2017 Celebration in the Novice Youth 11 & Under class. BiBi continued her juvenile career with Tommy Lee Jones in the youth pony class.
BiBi’s juvenile mounts included Lined Walkin’, A SuperBowl MVP, The Country Lineman and He’s Raymond Reddington. In 2025, BiBi’s other mounts included Bocephus in the Model class and The Baum Diggity in the Weanling class under the direction of Robert Nelms. BiBi also enjoyed showing multi-titled Scarlett O’Hara in the Youth All Day Pleasure class under the direction of Laurie Toone, as well as The CharQueen who is trained at Thornridge South.
“I love the anticipation of going into the ring. The thrill of doing the best you can and doing it for not just the judges, but for yourself, too,” said BiBi.
“When BiBi won a World Grand Championship in 2018 on Lined Walkin’, I was so happy and excited for them. It inspired me to work hard and try to earn a World Grand Championship for myself,” said Maxine.
Moving on up despite setbacks
2024 should have been a stellar year for BiBi and Maxine to continue their winning ways at that year’s Celebration, just as it had been throughout the first part of the season. Maxine and Quite An Honor won blue ribbons at the WHTA National Trainers’ Show, Amateur & Youth Jamboree Show and the Money Tree Classic.
However, an UTV accident sidelined both girls prior to the Celebration. BiBi suffered a broken pelvis and right femur, while Maxine endured a broken clavicle.
With BiBi wheelchair bound and Maxine in a sling, the girls watched as their mom, Beth, took over the reins on Quite An Honor and won her first World Championship in the Owner-Amateur Ladies on Mares class. The girls missed being in the show ring but loved seeing their mom take a winning ride.
2025, was a different story. Prior to the Celebration, Maxine and Quite An Honor won the Spring Extravaganza Youth 12-17 class, the Walking For Cancer Youth 12-17 class, the Let Freedom Ring Youth 17 & Under class, as well as the 2025 Red Carpet Show of the South Youth 17 & Under class.
At the 2025 Celebration, Maxine and Quite An Honor rode to the Owner-Amateur Youth 15-17 Mares & Geldings World Championship on Thursday night, August 21st. The pair was reunited on Saturday night, August 30th, to make Quite An Honor’s first spotlight ride to claim the Youth 12-17 World Grand Championship in a class of 22 world class competitors that included a highly competitive workout.
“I was so happy and proud of myself, my barn (Thornridge South) and my family. I was also sad to show and win my first World Grand Championship at Thornridge without Jimmy McConnell. I did it for him and in honor of memory of him. We all miss him terribly,” exclaimed Maxine. Maxine also won the Youth 15-17 Pony World Championship on I Am Big Enough, who is trained by Chad Way at Mane Motion Stables.
It was a memorable year for BiBi as well. She considers her win aboard The Charqueen at the 2025 Celebration Fall Classic in the epic Andy Adkins Memorial Youth Championship a blessing. It was the last youth class of her juvenile career.
“When I heard my name being called in the Andy Adkins Championship class, I was genuinely shocked and overjoyed. I would like to thank Sam, Dude, Doug and the entire Thornridge South family for their dedication in putting us in the ring. I am so grateful to be a part of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry,” said BiBi.
The Celebration Fall Classic was also an unforgettable moment for Maxine. It was there that she made a special exhibition of Quite An Honor who is a two-time World Champion and World Grand Champion. Quite An Honors is a seven-year-old mare sired by World Grand Champion Honors.
Quite An Honor is trained by Sam Martin, Chris Alexander and Doug Wilhoite at Thornridge South. Jimmy McConnell was Quite An Honor’s trainer from September 2023 until he passed away in late July of 2025. Maxine considers Jimmy as the GOAT, Greatest of All Time Trainer, and she credits him for making her lifelong dream come true.
Both BiBi and Maxine agree that “Showing horses is not only about the competition and sportsmanship, but also the companionship of barn families and friends within the industry.”
The girls also believe that their time in the juvenile division has taught them the importance of competition and sportsmanship, to show respect to fellow competitors, celebrate every victory, handle defeats with grace and maintain a positive outlook throughout. The members within the industry, friends, trainers and fellow riders have given them the memories that have formed their childhood.
The twins are looking to continue their winning ways in the amateur division and are both enrolled in Graphic Design at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.
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