No Graduation? No Problem!
By: Brittany Bevis
When life throws you lemons, you’re supposed to make lemonade, but AQHA/APHA youth exhibitors, Sabine Lazo and Reagan Jennings, have had enough fruit thrown their way this year to supply an entire lemonade stand.
Both ladies are graduating seniors and were looking forward to a final hurrah before heading off to college, which of course, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, didn’t happen. Also, they’re both approaching what will soon be the end of their youth eligibility; but without any horse shows to attend, it just didn’t feel the same. Then, the AjPHA Youth World Show was postponed to the fall. So, when the Greater Houston Quarter Horse Association Open Show came up on the schedule, they knew they had to attend.
Both ladies were supposed to graduate on Friday, May 29th. Sabine was set to walk from Caldwell High School and Reagan from College Station High School. But, on this night, they decided to do something a little different. They would show in their caps and gowns.
“We actually came up with this idea a few hours before we showed,” Sabine says. “Luckily, we both live nearby, so we grabbed our graduation outfits, and with the help of our barn family- Kelly and Salvador Lazo, Vicki Poole, Kasey Herzog, and Katherine Smith- we pulled it off in time!”
“Our reasoning behind it was that, although both of us have in-person graduation dates still scheduled, due to crowd restrictions, our barn family and horse show friends won’t be able to attend. These people mean a lot to us, and we wanted to share the graduation experience with them.”
The decision was a big hit. Show management and fellow competitors were very supportive. The announcer read the ladies’ names over the loudspeaker and everyone cheered as they entered the pen. “We were continually recognized and congratulated throughout the weekend. In that particular Halter class, the judge told us that it was one of her most memorable classes, because she’d never had anyone graduate in her class before!”
The reason both ladies wanted to incorporate their “graduation ceremony” into a horse show is that they’ve been equestrians for almost as long as they can remember. Sabine has been “riding” since she was two weeks old and has been showing almost as long. She’s competed in 4-H, AQHA, and APHA events. She’s shown at the APHA Youth World Show, was part of Team USA at the 2018 Youth World Games, and served as the President of AjPHA.
Reagan has been riding horses and competing since she was ten. She’s shown in 4-H, AQHA, and APHA events. She’s won a multitude of high points and scholarships in 4-H and AQHA. She currently serves as the Vice President of AjPHA.
Sabine’s partner in crime in the show pen is The Ultimate Attitude, aka “Cooper.” She and the 2008 APHA gelding compete in all-around events like Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Showmanship, Western Pleasure, Trail, Horsemanship, and Western Riding, as well as Ranch events. Reagan shows EPR Hot Irons, aka “Luke.” She and the 2007 APHA/AQHA gelding compete in Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Showmanship, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, and Trail. Both ladies are in training with Kelly Lazo of Lazo Performance Horses.
Certainly, Sabine and Reagan aren’t alone in having to realign their goals for the coming year and reset expectations for how those might be accomplished. Most graduating seniors will not walk in traditional ceremonies this year due to social distancing requirements and restrictions on crowds. But they are taking it in stride.
“After nearly two decades around horses, expecting the unexpected is par for the course,” Sabine says. “Sure, no one could have foreseen all of the changes COVID-19 has brought to every aspect of our lives, but riding and showing has taught me to adapt to even the most extreme of changes with as much grace and optimism as possible. I’ll miss all of the memories that could have been, but I’ll cherish the ones I’ve made in their place- like this one!”
“I never thought my senior year would go this way. It stinks that I didn’t get to finish my senior year or attend many horse shows. But, I’m very grateful for everything that my school and the people in charge of the horse shows are doing for us to help us still be able to participate in school activities and horse shows. One good thing about the pandemic happening is that I’m able to spend more time with my family and I’m able to ride more,” Reagan says.
Sabine is looking forward to attending Sam Houston State University where she will major in Communication Studies in the fall. “I’m excited to see where my educational pursuits take me. While I haven’t decided on a specific career yet, I know that my goal is a career that will allow me to improve interpersonal communication on a large scale.”
After graduation, Reagan plans to attend the University of Mary Hardin Baylor, work on a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and possibly become a physician’s assistant.
“To everyone who has had their 2020 plans impacted by COVID-19, or any number of events going on in the world right now, the message we’d like to share is to take advantage of and cherish the memories you make in quarantine, no matter how atypical they might be,” Sabine says.
While they didn’t have the chance to walk across a stage while Pomp and Circumstance played in the background, being surrounded by their family and friends, at a horse show, was a special memory they will never forget.
If you have a great story to share, email B.Bevis@EquineChronicle.com.
