In one of the most jaw-dropping moments of the Non Pro Boxing reined work preliminaries, Ashley Jackson and her horse Tooo Suen (Boon Too Suen x Dual Lookin Pep x Dual Pep), affectionately known as “Boonie”, delivered a performance no one in the arena will soon forget.
What started as a normal run turned into a display of grit and trust when, early in their pattern, Boonie’s headstall seemed to break and he lost his snaffle bit, making them bridleless. Instead of pulling up and calling it quits like most riders might, Jackson chose to press on.
“Out in the warm-up, I felt really prepared going in,” Jackson recalled. “It was the last thing on my mind that I was going to go out there bridleless.”
Jackson first noticed something was off when Boonie spit the bit out during their large fast circle.
“I didn’t feel his face anymore,” she said. “But he’s a very trustworthy guy, so I thought if there was any horse that was going to take me through there bridleless it would be Boonie, so I just kept going.”
What made this feat even more incredible is that Jackson has only been riding the 2021 gelding for about three weeks.
“I haven’t really practiced that many maneuvers with him besides a little bit at home,” she admitted. “He’s so easy and simple, so I knew he was going to carry me all the way and I could trust him and just say ‘woah’ and hold on.”
Jackson finished the run marking a 206, but what she accomplished went far beyond any number on the scoreboard. Not many riders, even among seasoned trainers, could complete a reining pattern bridleless, let alone on a 4-year-old.
Chuy Chavez, who’s also showing Boonie in the Level 1 Open Derby where they currently sit with a 429 composite (R: 214.5/C: 214.5), was proud of how this team handled such an unexpected obstacle.
“I had faith in her and him,” Chavez said proudly. “I felt like they could follow through, keep going and get it done.”
Many spectators assumed the leather on the headstall may have broken, though in reality it was a malfunction with the side buckle.
“The prong of the buckle that’s on the leather of the cheek piece was too short, and it ended up slipping all of the way through. It didn’t break, it just came undone. It’s safe to say I won’t be using it for the rest of the show,” Jackson said with a laugh and a smile.
Despite the unplanned hurdle, Jackson remains positive for the rest of their time at the NRCHA Kimes Ranch Derby.
“I’m really excited, and all I need to do is put my hand down and go work the cows,” she said. “He’s really smart on the cow, so I know he’s going to carry me.”
Jackson’s equipment malfunction is a great lesson on staying cool under pressure, though it’s also a wonderful example of the reined cow horse community and how encouraging our membership is to fellow riders.
“I’m really thankful for everyone who came to cheer because if it weren’t for them, I probably would’ve stopped,” Jackson admitted. “Everyone and their support meant a lot to me and kept my adrenaline going.”
Not many riders could pull off what Jackson did today, but thanks to her trust in her horse, and Boonie’s incredible drive, they not only finished but left the arena as an unforgettable highlight of this year’s show.
To watch Ashley’s incredible run, click here: https://vimeo.com/1089355776
