A National Champion's Story
My name is Jerilyn Becker. I'm 31 years old, married to Gary Becker, one child, Julia, 17 months old. I've been riding and showing horses since I was one when I got my first pony. I bought my current show horse, Black Ice, or affectionately called Buddy in the barn and by friends in Feb 2003. He is almost solid black, with some small areas of dark brown, he is a half arabian and half trakehner, registered with both breeds. He was barely broke to ride when I bought him and we had a long way to go with our training, and quite frankly still have a lot to learn. But, we did several Arabian horse shows in 2003 including the Sport Horse Nationals and finished in the Top Ten in two divisions, Sport Horse in hand and Sport Horse under saddle. However, Buddy and I took a year and a half off from Nov 2003 until Spring of 2005 since Gary and I were having a baby, it just didn't leave a lot of time or money to train and show my horse.
We(Buddy and myself) started back riding and competing in March 2005 and went to several Arabian Horse shows this year, 4 in Lexington Va at the Va Horse Center and 1 in Culpeper Va at Commonwealth Park. We did very well all year in the sport horse division and also did Training Level Dressage. We won several classes and championships in the sport horse in hand classes, which is where you show your horse to the judge in hand(not riding) and they are judged on their confirmation, gaits, expression and manners and suitability to their discipline. You usually have to lead the horse at a walk and a trot around designated triangles and they receive scores for each movement. The scores are based on the horse and their way of going, but the handler has the task of presenting them in their best form. Teaching them to stay by your side and to really showcase their two gaits(walk and trot).
We have spent several hours practicing and practicing until now we are so in sync we can do all the movements together with Buddy being loose(no bridle or halter on) and he stays right with me and knows what to do. We have taken a few lessons with Holly Veloso from Bedford, Va and she also helped us develop excellent technique for the in hand classes. We went to the Arabian shows that qualify you for Regionals and Nationals this year, so in July 2005, we competed at Lexington Va in the Region 15 competition. We finished with two Top Five honors in Half Arabian Geldings Sport Horse in hand open and amateur classes. Then came The Arabian Sport Horse Nationals, they were held in Lexington, VA as well, from Sept 21st - Sept 25th. The nationals had approx 550 horses from all over the country and Canada. We competed in Half Arabian Sport Horse Geldings in hand open and we were National Champion out of 35 exhibitors. We received a plaque, a Silver Trophy, 2 ribbons,and a rose neck garland for Buddy.
We also won prize money for winning Champion. Then two days later we competed in Half Arabian Sport Horse Geldings in hand amateur and we were Reserve National Champion(2nd place) out of 35 exhibitors. Again, we won a plaque, a bronze trophy, two ribbons, more money and another neck garland. If you win a national championship at the Sport Horse Arabian Nationals they showcase your picture in the January issue of the Arabian Horse World Magazine.
I can't tell you how exciting it is to have such an accomplishment, this is the horse lover and owners dream come true if you compete. It's the ultimate acheivement, there are no higher levels to compete at. It's sort of the Olympics for the Arabians and Half Arabians.
I know that competing and training takes a tremendous amount of committment on my part and my families. My husband is more than supportive, he's my rock.. he helps whenever needed whether it's with Buddy at the barn or watching Julia so I can get to the barn and practice. He will go to my competitions and help all day if needed. My mother is also an important part of my showing, she not only will help me in practice, but also attends most of my shows and gives me pep talks before I show. She has also been my transportation to and from shows when I need her. I have several others that encourage me and help in more ways than they know, whether it's coming to cheer me on at a show or just giving me advice and a reassuring talk. I hope to continue training Buddy and advancing in our Dressage career. The Sport Horse Nationals are in Idaho next year, but will return to Virginia for 2007, so we hope to be a force to be reckoned with in 2007.
