80-Year-Old, 6-Time Cancer Survivor, Ina Ginsberg, is a Congress Limited Champion
Keitha Stutzman with King Coolsified
By: Brittany Bevis
The final day of Halter classes is well underway this morning at the 2015 All American Quarter Horse Congress. First up, Amanda Lewis led King Jaimz to win Amateur Weanling Geldings. The Reserve Champion in the class was Kyle Railey with JCG Kid Throwdown. Placing third was Keitha Stutzman with Morethanamaizing. Fourth place was Amy Jo Erhardt with Evolver. Fifth place was Melanie Griffey with I Can’t Keep A Secret.
In Amateur Yearling Geldings, Keitha Stutzman was in the winner’s circle once again, this time with King Coolsified. Patti Walker led DMM Secret Sinsation to come in Reserve. Felisha Ware and Billion Dollar Kid placed third. Fourth place was Tonya Carmean with Last Exception. Richard Peden and JCG Game On came in fifth.
Amy Jo Erhardt with Hey Coach
Amy Jo Erhardt led Hey Coach to win Amateur 2-Year-Old Geldings. The Reserve Congress Champion was Jeff Habighorst with SS Rampage. Third place was Beverly Sue Koke with Wind This Toy. Fourth place was Sherri Parker with BPF Telatommy. Fifth place was J L Robinson with PF Chrome Rimz.
In Amateur 3-Year-Old Geldings, Josh Weakly led Be A Gunslinger to a win. The Reserve Champion was Ina Ginsberg with Hez Packing Heat. Placing third was Frank Berris with It’s Gameday. Fourth place was Douglas Ronk with Ima Cool Catch. Fifth place was Julie Smith with HR Gotta Cool Rap.
Josh Weakly with Be A Gunslinger
Following the class, we had the opportunity to speak with the Reserve Champion and Limited division Congress Champion, 80-year-old Ina Ginsbgerg, who also happens to be a six-time cancer survivor.
“I got Sarge as a weanling,” Ina says. “I’d been diagnosed with six months to live with a reoccurrence of cancer. Jack Brizendine decided I needed a weanling, and Dan Fox let me have him. I decided I was going to live, and I’ve been showing him ever since.”
Ina is thoughtful when searching for the right words to describe her horse Sarge.
Ina Ginsberg with Hez Packin Heat
“If I were to describe him to you… he’s a S@%#,” Ina laughs. “He’s not mean and he’s not nasty, but he doesn’t have a sense of humor. He has a red-headed temperament.”
Ina and her beloved Sarge currently compete under the guidance of Jeffrey Pait and have done so for the past two years. Just recently, at the AQHA Select World Show, Ina and Sarge were named the Select World Champions in Three-Year-Old Geldings. Last year, they were named the Limited division champions at the Congress in Amateur 2-Year-Old Geldings.
“Jeffrey has just done a wonderful job,” she says. “I cannot tell you what a wonderful job he’s done. When I came to him, I had no confidence, and the horse wasn’t in good shape. It’s taken him two years to get my confidence up.”
We are happy to report that not only does Ina have her confidence back, she just finished three years of cancer treatment and is doing very well. “Knock on wood…” Ina says.
Congratulations Ina!
