By Delores Kuhlwein
When tragedy strikes in the horse community, horse people step up to help, and that’s just one of the most amazing, unfailing aspects of the industry.
So when the news of the recent unexpected passing of Casey Devitt’s son, Cody Devitt, reached the horse community, people stepped up to lend support, and one of those individuals was Christian Jauntig. When he heard the devastating news, he was working as the arena manager at the AQHA Level 1 Championships, and he immediately remembered that the Devitts were managing the TQHA Lucky 7 Classic show the following week.
Without hesitation, he offered to manage the events for the Devitts. “I said if I was in a situation like that, I would hope someone would step up and offer to help me out so that I could focus on my family. In this industry we all sacrifice a lot of time with our families, so in a time of loss or sickness, it’s important to be there,” Jauntig says.
Jauntig is no stranger to show management, with many years of experience under his belt, and now as the owner of his new event management company, Topline Event Management. In true horse industry fashion, Jauntig requested the Lucky 7 Classic management fees still be paid to the Devitts.
“I knew they would have a lot of unexpected expenses to face,” Jauntig explains. “I would just like to tell April and Casey that I think I speak for everyone in the industry when I say we are thinking of them and hope to see them soon.”
The Lucky 7 Classic takes place May 4-8, 2022, at the TN Miller Coliseum, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and will be produced by the Tennessee Quarter Horse Association.
Lucky 7 Classic Exhibitors can contact Christian Jauntig on his cell phone at 845-551-8123 or via email Christian@ToplineEventMgt.com.
Editor’s note: Everyone’s deepest condolences go to Casey and April Devitt on the passing of Casey’s son, Cody Devitt.