The Progressive Show Jumping
  Junior Medal Finals Winners

Who They Are & Where They Are Today
Part Three

Recently PSJ reached out to the previous winners as we thought it would be interesting to share with you who they are and what has transpired in each of their lives since their win.

This article is the third of a series that will be published in the coming months and we hope you enjoy the read.

Sarah Spainhour - 2002 PSJ Medal Winner

 “As a working student for Judy Young, any ribbon that I won was earned through hard work both in and out of the ring,” offered Sarah recalling her medal win. “I was also catch riding a fabulous horse that Judy let me borrow for the finals, so it was rewarding to be able to put in a good ride on a horse other than my own.  I am so appreciative of everything that I learned during my time with Judy.” 
  
Sarah completed 2002 with Young through catch riding and showing in the equitation/ children's jumper ring.  Additionally, she won the $10,000 NAL Children's Jumper finals in Harrisburg, PA on her horse, Leap of Faith.

Shortly there after, Judy connected Sarah with Kimberden Farms (Ocala, FL and Knoxville, TN). In January 2003, she moved to Florida to embark on a new working student path.  “I was fortunate enough to find a fabulous mare that I competed in the junior jumpers and smaller Grand Prixs throughout the remainder of my junior years,” commented Sarah. “Being a working student for Kimberden provided me with an opportunity to meet many great horsemen and ride many different horses.”

 In 2004, she began college at Clemson University.  “I enjoyed being a ‘normal’ person for a couple of years before joining the Clemson University Equestrian Team (IHSA) in January 2007.” In May 2008, rather than walking across the stage with her college diploma in hand, Sarah won the title for Clemson in the Open Over Fences Division at the IHSA Nationals in Los Angeles, CA.   Even though she may have not physically attended her graduation, Sarah did graduate in 2008 from the honors college with a degree in Psychology.   Her plans were to go on to medical school; however, she was waitlisted.  Katie Maxwell, the coach from the Clemson team, offered her a job, so Sarah began working at Sovan Hill Enterprises as the team’s assistant coach. “Working for Katie Maxwell was a fantastic opportunity and gave me experience teaching and working with people.”   

Sarah pictured with teammates and Katie Maxwell (right)

Sarah recently moved to Charlotte, NC to be with her husband and begin her medical career.  Her plans are to be in medical school within the next year or so.
Sarah’s advice for future medal contenders is simple.  “Nothing is impossible through hard work, compassion and patience. Don't take to heart the things that people tell you that you cannot do- instead, use them as motivation to accomplish your goals and prove them wrong.”  

 Brooke Walton – 1993 PSJ Medal Winner

“I rode a horse that Lewis Pack went and picked up the morning of the class because my horse got hurt,” remembers Brooke.  “I had never seen or sat on it.  Lewis couldn't remember his name so he called him ‘the monster’ when he announced it.”  There was a warm up before the medal, and Brooke discussed the fact that there was a jump around and beside a tree which spooked the horse. “He shied a bit from something one step before the jump, but I covered it up well and was second.”  Brooke did not think he would do it again, but he did. “I covered it up again so well it was invisible to even my trainer Lee Cone.  My trip, other than that, was perfect, and I finally won my first medal finals after being second in numerous others.” 

A few months after winning the PSJ medal, Brooke moved to Camden to ride with Aaron Vale.  “I was very successful from then on in the junior hunters, jumpers and equitation, with a few of my own horses and several catch rides I won many championships, circuit championships and classics.”  Brooke began competing in the Grand Prix ring at age sixteen on “Alfredo.”  She graduated from the juniors to have another extremely successful amateur career riding with Kim and Dennis Mitchell for a few years while she attended college.  “I went to the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) with my awesome hunter, ‘Marquette,’ and galloped racehorses in Ocala at Classic Mile track.”    Brooke was also a professional whitewater raft guide on the Pigeon River and the Gauley River in West Virginia. 

Brooke aboard “Troubador”

 “The raft guiding is actually what brought me back to the horses, because I was living in West Virginia in the back of my truck, broke, and eating Starburst™ and pistachios for weeks.  I took a trip back to Tennessee and had to climb in a dumpster on the side of I-40 and dig my paddock boots out.  I realized what the heck was I doing?  I was a horrendous class 5 raft guide, and I headed home as fast as my truck could carry me to my family's empty farm in Greer and started a business with a few horses and a few students.  That was 2004.  Now my business has grown to a solid twenty-five clients, lesson students, boarders, and young show/ sale horses.  Everyone is happy and successful in their own right- my kids, adults and horses...and of course myself.”
 
Brooke’s advice to medal finalist hopefuls is this:  Know your horse, the better care you take of him/her the better care he/she will take of you.  Work on bonding with your horse both in and out of the saddle. Diversify his/her life outside the ring. Take every chance you have to ride other horses offered to you...take your time to feel what is under you and understand their reactions to aids, scenarios, etc.  Pay more attention to the schooling area and what everyone else is doing in there every chance you get.  Brooke believes you learn more there than watching a perfect trip in the ring.  Look the part all the time whether at home or at a show. “I also think everyone who horse shows must remember you reap what you sew, you get back what you give out, with horses and people.”  Brooke concludes with her favorite tip,  “It’s all in your head, and its only 60 seconds or so in the ring.....visualize it, believe it, and with hard work it will happen.”