Jennifer Paul Named AQHA Leading Open Exhibitor With Whopping 948.5 Points
Judd, Allie, and Jennifer Paul
UPDATE: Just yesterday, we shared a story about Jennifer Paul being named the 2018 AQHA Leading Open Exhibitor by accumulating 948.5 points.
We have since received confirmation from AQHA that Jennifer is the first FEMALE to ever win this title.
Congratulations Jennifer!
2018- Jennifer Louise Paul
2017- Blake K Weis
2016- J D Yates
2015- J D Yates
2014- J D Yates
2013- J D Yates
2012- Clay Logan
2011- J D Yates
2010- J D Yates
2009- J D Yates
2008- J D Yates
2007- Bobby E Lewis
2006- J D Yates
2005- J D Yates
2004- Brad Lund
2003- J D Yates
2002- Bobby E Lewis
2001- Bobby E Lewis
2000- Steven C Orth
By: Brittany Bevis
When the final point totals rolled in from the last few shows held in 2018, it was determined that Jennifer Paul of Ohio had accumulated a whopping 948.5, making her the Leading AQHA Open Exhibitor for 2018.
In late summer of last year, Jennifer knew she was in the running for the title, but it wasn’t something she’d specifically set out to attain. The result was simply an accumulation of a stellar year of big wins aboard some very impressive horses.
As a youth, amateur, and now open rider, Jennifer has won individual classes, but never a year-end all-around title. We interviewed Jennifer in 2017 when she won her first AQHA World Championship title in Senior Trail aboard Some Hot Potential. “Brett,” who has been in the barn for the past seven years, was certainly an instrumental part in helping Jennifer win this year-end title, as he was also named the Overall High Point Trail Horse for 2018.
“He’s eleven years old now, and we bought him when he was four,” Jennifer says. “I would really have to say that I don’t have a favorite horse, but Brett definitely holds a special place in my heart. His strong suits are his expression and that he’s very careful with his foot placement. He’s a patient horse.”
Jennifer and Some Hot Potential winning Senior Trail at the 2017 AQHA World Show
Another horse that helped Jennifer on the road to the title is Lazyboy, who was also named the High Point Junior Trail Horse for 2018. This is the same horse that won the Green Trail High Point in 2017.
“He was the 2017 NSBA World Champion in 3-Year-Old Trail and the 2018 NSBA World Champion in 4-5 Year-Old Trail,” Jennifer says. “We bought him during the summer of his three-year-old year, and he’s really starting to mature and change leads, so he could be a big contender in other events as well.”
The pretty, roan mare, My Only Good Shoes, has certainly won her fair share of big titles with youth rider, Emma Gore, over the past year. That includes breaking the record for the most All-Around titles won by a single horse at the Quarter Horse Congress. Jennifer rode “Dottie” to win Green Senior Trail at the 2018 Congress, and Emma and her horse won Overall Youth All Around, 13 and Under All Around, Level 1 13 and Under All Around, and Overall Level 1 All Around.
Jennifer with My Only Good Shoes after winning Green Senior Trail at the 2018 QH Congress
It certainly takes a special horse to excel in youth events with a young rider and then turn around and dominate in the highly competitive open classes as well. “Dottie has great eye appeal, and she and Emma have such a great connection together. Everything they do together blends perfectly.” Dottie also won her own award for 2018- Overall Green Trail Horse.
Other horses that helped in this journey include Betcha Im Dreamin, who won the Green Senior Western Pleasure High Point, KM Genuinely Best, Flashy Invite, and Cruize. Obviously, the majority of Jennifer’s points were earned in her favorite class, Trail, but Jennifer and her horses also racked up plenty in Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Western Riding, and Halter.
“I like Trail because anybody can win it on any given day. It keeps you on your toes. There is a different pattern every day you show. You have a connection with each horse you get to show in Trail, and you have a great bond and that trust. I enjoy it because it keeps my mind busy, rather than just loping around in circles.”
Jennifer and Judd would like to thank all of their customers and IronGate Quarter Horses for their continuous support and unwavering trust in their program.
Congratulations to Jennifer Paul on this exciting accomplishment!
