The Milestone of a Lifetime

Maggie Griffin Book surpassed 22,000 APHA points in May 2024, a historic achievement she humbly credits to a group of exceptional horses and the Paint Horse community.

By Delores Kuhlwein

10 World Championships. 9 Reserve World Championships. 178 Registers of Merit. 101 Superiors. Amassing this kind of show record, and accumulating over 22,000 APHA points in a lifetime, sounds unreachable.

But APHA Amateur Maggie Griffin Book, a busy lawyer in a flourishing Houston-area practice, has achieved these milestones – a dream come true – while still in the prime of her show career.  Her accomplishments, totals from her youth and amateur records, reflect dedication to her sport and the American Paint Horse breed.

She explains that the characteristic most instrumental in her success and longevity, however, is respect.

“Every rider should respect the sport to know that we can always grow as a horseman,” she says. “We should respect our trainers as they advise us, the judges as they critique us, your fellow competitors as they challenge you and the volunteers who put on all the horse shows. This respect is a hallmark of the Paint Horse community that works to set the stage for young riders to catch that infectious passion to show a Paint Horse.”

James Saubolle of Elite Show Horses, Maggie’s trainer for the past 10 years, explains, “She’s always so thankful and doesn’t take anything for granted; she always thinks she has to prove herself, and the youth in the barn look up to her.”

Life Is Better with a Paint Horse

The journey in the Paint Horse community was launched by her mom, accomplished horseman and APHA exhibitor Sally Griffin, who fostered the love of the Paint Horse with Maggie in Leadline as early as 1991.  For Maggie, that inspiration has continued for 33 years.

“She balanced her career, marriage, family, and community so that she could find the time for one more show. I am grateful that her passion and work ethic were not only inspiring to me, but infectious,” Maggie reveals.

Speaking of community, Maggie, the current Paint Horse Committee Chairperson of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, explains why the Paint Horse family deserves her devotion.  “The people in the Paint Horse community are unlike any other group. I will always remain loyal to this breed because of the opportunity to meet fellow competitors in every type of career and stage in life all over the country who are willing to share their experiences and support a fellow competitor.”

The support she mentions is a tremendous part of the Elite Show Horses team, James explains.  “We call ourselves a barn family, and we really are, whether in the barn or on group trips together.  We all stick together, stand behind each other, and lean on each other for strength.”

 

Viva Las Vegas

The passion and support they all treasure is present no matter where they show, and the APHA Zone 2 Show and POR at South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas happened to be the setting when her 22,000 point total was surpassed with Get The Sensation, her 2010 sorrel overo gelding with whom she also topped the 2023 APHA Amateur Top 20 List.  Maggie reveals this benchmark wasn’t a goal of hers, but as the Elite Show Horses team tracked her progress, the dream became a reality.

“My first thought was that the math wasn’t correct!” she exclaims.  “When the numbers started to add up, I was overwhelmed with gratitude remembering all the incredible horses that got me here and knowing that my mom was there for my very first youth point all the way to a number as great as 22,000!”

Each year, Maggie explains they would work with some of the best trainers in the country to set her long and short term goals. Although she recognizes reaching the record of 22,000 APHA points as one of her greatest accomplishments, she says she’s prouder of what that achievement represents: “Consistent dedication to a sport that has united my family for decades and continues to inspire me to improve as an equestrian, lawyer, and now, a wife.”

Her dedication is a true testament to her mom, Sally Griffin, reveals James.  “Sally was the first #1 APHA Amateur and was one of the driving forces behind the Novice program. She loves the Paint Horse and loves the all around, and she has built a legacy.”  As a result, those Paint Horses Sally upheld created a foundation for Maggie.  “While it is no secret that my mom has a passion for buying/selling/trading raw talent,” Maggie says, “the horse and rider bond I developed with each of these horses have truly made me who I am.”

Horses highlighted by Maggie, in her words:

SocketsBlackGold “BG” taught me how to show under pressure at a very young age. I am incredibly grateful to Linda Gordon for providing the opportunity to show BG and learn what it means to prepare and show a halter horse. He was the lifetime leading youth gelding for most of my youth career and remains #2 on the lifetime list.

Jazzy Express “Jazzy” was the first horse I had that truly did win the all-around from the Working Hunter all the way to the Reining. He was the horse that inspired me a desire to not be a rider, but to learn how to be a horseman – and appreciate an all-day fee!

Loots Encore “Luke” was an extraordinary talent who taught me how to appreciate and adapt to the truly great horses. While he consistently reminded us that he hated the showmanship through athletic maneuvers (usually directed at Don Manuello), Luke could float down a western riding line better than any horse I know. He earned my highest top 20 score in 2002 with 547 points and the highest scores I would ever obtain per judge in Lansing, Michigan.

Huntin For Love “Heehaw” Despite never winning a title at the world show or being ranked #1 on the Top 20, Heehaw was the most talented and willing horse I had the opportunity to show. I have more performance points with this horse than any other because of the sincere bond between horse, rider, trainer, and parent. The bond Heehaw forged with my mom, me, and Becky taught me what it truly meant to have a dependable and dynamic team that inspires the way I lead my team at work. Heehaw had each of us so cross-trained in our roles that any of us could look in his eye “or “expressive” ears) and knew what he was thinking! There was nothing he wouldn’t do for us and vice versa.

Gallant Zippo “Gilley” taught me how to be confident in the show pen as an all-around rider. It was as if Becky trained him to be nothing more than my horse. He was the definition of versatility, winning the Equitation over Fences one day to the Versatility Challenge the very next day at the World Show. Gilley never changed from routine practice at home to all four corners of the country where we competed. He taught me to trust the process.  When college was overwhelming and the new Amateur division was intimidating, Gilley was the rock that got me through it all.

I’ll Be Sensational – Milo might be the only horse that had a piece of all my other prior great horses. I have never worked as hard with a horse to be his partner than with Milo! While he remains quick to tell you what he dislikes, when you are in his zone, there is nothing that compares with the feeling of effortlessly floating down the working hunter and western riding line with hang-time in the same day. He was my motivation to get through each week of law school and those early years of proving yourself as a newly minted lawyer.  (James explains that when it came time for Maggie to move to a new horse, she called James and asked him to choose someone in the barn for Milo so he could stay forever, the pact they’d long ago made. Raygan Follis showed Milo with Elite until his recent retirement at age 20.)

Get The Sensation “Nick” – was the horse that reminded me to ask, “why not?” Why not ask my mom to purchase a horse via text from the other side of the world?” Why not go to the three biggest shows in the country with one practice ride at home?” I am grateful for all the trainers and horses that came before Nick to teach me how to truly trust your partner and respect their talent. To be able to accomplish the #1 Amateur title with the highest point total of all the other divisions last year in three horse shows is proof that if you can match up a great horse with a dedicated rider, magic can really happen. Thanks will never be enough to James Saubolle for recognizing the talent in us both to make us a dynamic team overnight. (James was also so sure he was the right horse while Sally was overseas, he provided the down payment.)

The Village

It’s widely known that the Paint Horse community is often considered a large family to many exhibitors, and Maggie is no exception.  She admits that though her name, “Maggie Griffin-Book,” is on paper with a host of exceptional horses, she says the 22,000 point milestone was not accomplished by horse and rider alone.

“The trainers who tirelessly worked to improve my ability and accomplish my annual goals will always hold a special place in my heart: James Saubolle, Becky George, and Scott Suggs. Thank you for being the coach, mentor, friend, and family I needed in every stage of my life. I will always be grateful for the talent you shared and the trust you placed in me.”