AQHA All-Around Winner- Senior Horse- Cruize
By: Brittany Bevis
Now that AQHA has officially released the final standings for 2019, effectively crowning the year-end All-Around award winners for each division, it’s time to celebrate!
First, we chatted with the Select Amateur Champion- Scott Reinartz with Investin A Goodbar. Then, we spoke with the Amateur Champion- Tony Anderman with his horse, Solo Invested. Third was Youth Champion- Ellexxah Maxwell with Zips Bossy Chip. Today, we’re chatting with Sabrina Janis, whose family owns the AQHA All-Around Senior Horse- Cruize.
Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com over the next few weeks as we feature several of the horse and rider teams that have achieved one of AQHA’s highest honors.
Sabrina and “Speedy” have been a team since July of 2018. They show in classes like Performance Halter Geldings, Trail, and Western Riding. But it wasn’t only Sabrina that helped accumulate points on Speedy last year. Her trainers, Judd and Jennifer Paul, put in their due diligence as well to help make winning this title a reality. “Speedy went down the road to almost every show, and they really put their all into showing him throughout the year,” Sabrina says. “I think that this title was definitely a milestone for Speedy as a senior horse, and it means so much to all of us.”
“He’s the most incredibly talented horse. I’ve never had a more level headed and trustworthy partner in my whole show career. Every time we raise the bar, he always rises up to the occasion in order to meet it.”
When reflecting on Speedy’s 2019 show season, a few special memories stand out. Winning numerous High Point titles and circuit awards at The Madness, Fun In The Sun, and the IQHA State Show and Indy Circuit were among the high points. In addition, placing in the Top 5 at the Congress in Amateur Trail and Top 3 in Amateur Western Riding with a personal best of a 236.5 were highlights.
“If I’m being honest, any time I get to spend with Speedy and my other horses is a blessing due to me being a full time college student with a busy schedule. I believe that timing played a big role in Speedy winning this award. 2019 was a great year for him as a whole. Jennifer, Judd, and myself all had many notable successes with him in the show pen and the stars aligned by the year’s end to win the title. I think this is another amazing accolade to add to Speedy’s remarkable show career.”
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a lot of cancellations and postponements of shows, but Sabrina is staying positive and hopeful that they will make it to a show this summer. “Speedy loves to have a job, inside and out of the show pen, so we keep busy. It’s been really beneficial using our time in quarantine to try out new Trail obstacles or work on more complicated Western Riding patterns when there is no pressure.”
Sabrina and Speedy both have a number of people they’d like to thank for helping to make winning this award possible. “I would be remiss if I didn’t credit my hardworking and dedicated trainers, Jennifer and Judd Paul. They have played such an integral role in Speedy’s success and longevity as a show horse. He’s truly treated like a king in their program! I’m forever thankful for their expertise and guidance in pushing Speedy to be the best he can be.”
“Secondly, I’d like to thank my parents for purchasing Speedy for me and consistently supporting his and my career together. None of this would be possible without their constant love and support for my horses and riding career.”
“Lastly, I would like to thank the Gore family. They operate such a beautiful facility, and it’s a joy to be able to board my horses there. IronGate Equestrian Center is like a second home to me, and the care all of my horses receive is unmatched.”
