Susan Juroe Plans to LOPE WITH GRACE Into Winner’s Circle

By: Cameron Crenwlege

Who doesn’t love a great horse and rider duo? Well, there will soon be a new team trotting into both AQHA and APHA arenas around the country. I spoke with rider Susan Juroe about her new horse, “Lope With Grace,” (aka “Ellie”) to get all the details.

Juroe said that she purchased Ellie about two weeks before the beginning of the NSBA World Show from Halle Saywell. But, since Ellie and Halle were on a roll taking home big wins at both the Nebraska Cornhusker Classic and the Tom Powers Futurity, Juroe opted out of showing Ellie herself.

The AQHA/APHA solid paint-bred mare lived up to her registered name at this year’s NSBA World Championship Show and took home three golden trophies: one in the 3-Year-Old Open Non Pro Western Pleasure with Halle as well as one in the Color 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure with Aaron Moses, and another in 3-Year-Old Open BCF Western Pleasure.

Juroe speaks highly of Halle, Aaron Moses, and the her trainers, Tim and Shannon Gillespie, while explaining how she first became acquainted with Ellie. She said that everyone adored Ellie, but there were a lot of steps that had to be taken to make sure that Juroe and Ellie would make a good team. Juroe laughs, “I felt like I was auditioning to be her owner!” But Juroe is excited to say that they seemed to lock in as a team in no time.

Look out for this duo at the APHA World Championship Show!

The Equine Chronicle has reported on a number of Ellie’s wins over the years. See what Aaron had to say about Ellie. 

Aaron Moses and Lope With Grace Win 2-Year-Old Maiden Western Pleasure at 2017 QH Congress

“I never rode Halle’s mare (Gifted Invitation), but she’s a really nice horse, and I always enjoyed watching her. Ellie and her mother are different styles of horses, I think. Obviously, she’s passed along good genes. She’s really fluid and exotic with her legs. She’s a big strong horse.”

Aaron Moses and Lope With Grace Win AQHA World 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure- 

“This mare is a really great mover, and she’s a big horse. When a big horse can move that well, I think it gives a little something extra and is eye-catching. She’s a really good jogger and lopes good both ways. She’s a beautiful horse.”