Region 6 Open winner Jessica Elliott
Jessica Elliott, 19, just began her college career this fall at Virginia's Lynchburg College where she's majoring in psychology. She hails from Brentwood, N.H., where she grew up with her family's many horses. Her parents have run summer horse camps for kids for years, and Jessica has been showing since she about five years old. This year, she attended the AQHA Regional Experience in Springfield, Ma., and took a moment to answer a few questions.

Jessica Elliott Photo by Larry Williams Photography

Tell us about your horse.
Willing To Walk, or "Kraemer," is about 16.2 hands, and sorrel with four white socks. He's well muscled--you'd definitely know he's a Quarter Horse. I've owned him about four years, and show him in hunter under saddle, equitation on the flat, equitation over fences, hunter hack, working hunter, and western riding and horsemanship. He's really at his best in the over fences classes. He's always been in a show barn, so he's pretty serious, and can get pretty grouchy after a long show day. He really loves treats, though, so we hang them in his stall and it improves his attitude a lot--he becomes much happier and friendlier.

What has been your most memorable moment in the saddle?
Winning the hunter hack class with Kraemer at the AQHA Youth World Show this year out of about 80 entries. Standing in the center and hearing them call my name was very memorable!

Do you ride with a trainer?
Yes, I ride with Bill Ellis and David Connors at Four Winds Farm in Colts Neck, N.J. They show at AQHA shows and on the open hunter jumper circuit. Kraemer stays with them some of the time, and at home with my family some of the time. They're really good at what they do, and are very serious about it, so I feel fortunate to ride with them.

Tell us about your Regional Experience win.
I actually showed two horses--Final Debut in addition to Kraemer--but it was on Kraemer that I won the Open All Around title. I showed him in working hunter, equitation over fences, hunter hack, jumping, equitation on the flat, halter, hunter under saddle, barrel racing, pole bending and the stake race. We did the speed events for the all-around competition, and even though those aren't his specialty, he tolerates them.

Would you recommend the Regional Experience to other show riders? To newcomers? Will you be back next year?
I think it's a really good experience for show riders, especially if they can't make it to the World Show. They can still have a similar experience to the World Show, but without the intensity of having the best from the whole nation competing. Going just for the experience is worth it, and if you win a prize, that's even better because the awards were great. Newcomers should definitely come to see the horse show and take part in the other activities offered. The raffles, auctions and clinics make it worthwhile for everybody, and because the clinics were free, they were a great opportunity to learn. I'd definitely attend again.