Betta Believe It Helps Three Family Members Win Gold Trophies at AQHA L1 Championship Central

By: Brittany Bevis

Every once in a while, you come across a truly special horse- one that can transcend age divisions and disciplines- proving his worth in the competitive amateur pen, while also being a trusted partner in the youth arena. The Jolstad family has found that horse in Betta Believe It, the 6-year-old AQHA gelding they fondly call “Maurice.”

When the trio of Julie Jolstad and her two children, 13-year-old Brooke and 14-year-old Jake, embarked for the AQHA L1 Championship Central in Oklahoma City, they had hopes of a successful horse show, but they never imagined that Maurice would help each of them win a gold trophy!

“It’s really special,” Julie says. “Sometimes, I pinch myself and even get a little emotional, because I can’t believe that I’m at a horse show with my kids, and they love it. Not only do they enjoy the showing part, but they also love everything that comes with it, like the people, the travel, the hard work, and even getting up early.”

Maurice is a relatively new member of the Jolstad family. He was purchased, sight unseen, upon recommendation from the family’s horse trainer, Kelly McDowall, a year ago this January. “Kelly went to ride him to test him out, and he just fell in love with him. He had never been to a show before and didn’t have a single AQHA point.”

The Jolstads have been with McDowall for three years, so they were confident in his ability to pick out the perfect horse that would be well-suited for the specific talents of each family member. With bloodlines that trace back to AQHA stallion, Too Sleepy To Zip, it was expected that Maurice would have the ability and mind to cross over into multiple disciplines and age divisions.

“We kind of threw him into everything with the goal of making him into an all-around horse for Brooke’s 14-18 years. Kelly rode him in Western Riding and Trail, and [assistant trainer] Danette rode him in Hunter Under Saddle. I started showing him in Horsemanship and Equitation. Then, because he’s so beautiful, balanced, and conformationally correct, we thought we’d try Halter.”

“He’s very easygoing and very sweet, kind of like a pocket horse. He love attention, and he loves people. When we first bought him, he liked regular horse cookies; but, now he eats everything we put in front of him- bananas, apples, carrots, gummy bears…”

The first win of the show came for Brooke and Maurice in 13 and Under Hunter Under Saddle. Then, Julie rode Maurice to a seventh place finish in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. But, when Maurice stepped foot in the Halter pen, it was all over for the other competitors. Not only did he help Jake win Youth Performance Halter Geldings and Youth Halter Champion of Champions, Julie won Amateur Performance Geldings and Amateur Halter Champion of Champions. In case you’re keeping track, that brings Maurice’s total to a whopping five Championships at one horse show!

These wins were very special because they marked the first major Championship titles for each member of the Jolstad family. Brooke does have a L2 Reserve World Championship and 13 and Under Championship in Halter with Maurice, and Julie has a L2 Reserve Championship in Halter.

Jake rode his other horse, Walk The Line, to win Youth Western Pleasure last year at the L1 Championships; so, this year, it’s Brooke’s turn to compete with her brother’s mount in Western Pleasure and Trail, while Jake will show him in Horsemanship. Brooke will also show I’m Good As It Gets in Equitation, Trail, Horsemanship, and Showmanship, so the L1 Championships is far from over for the Jolstad family with the prospect of more top finishes on the horizon.

“We’re kind of all flip flopping and sharing each other’s horses,” Julie laughs. “I think, the most challenging thing happened when we were in Arizona at a show. Brooke was showing in Trail with Jake’s horse, and I had to be in the Showmanship pen at the same time. We literally slipped the saddle over the side of the rail, cleaned him up, and went in. Figuring out the schedules can be challenging; but, if there’s ever a conflict, I always step down. I’m an amateur for the rest of my life, and this is my kids’ time to shine.”

Showing horses has always been a family affair for the Jolstads. Julie competed as a youth before heading off to college, getting married, and having kids. When Brooke was born, she desperately wanted a horse of her own. Leave it to Julie’s uncle, BJ Pierce, an inductee to the Cowboy Hall of Fame, to send his niece a retired roping horse. “One thing led to another…” Julie says.

Coming up later this year, Brooke and Maurice will show at the AQHA Youth World in Halter and Hunter Under Saddle, and Julie will compete at the AQHA World Show in L2 and L3 Amateur Horsemanship and Halter. They also plan to attend the All American Quarter Horse Congress to kick off Brooke’s effort to qualify Maurice for the 2019 Youth World in all-around events during her first year in 14-18.

A big congratulations goes to the Jolstad family on this exciting accomplishment!