AQHA judge and Professional Horseman, Suzy Jeane, has broken many barriers for women striving to be successful in the horse industry. This amazing lady is considered one of the most respected professionals in our industry. Jeane was the 2005 Professional Horsewoman of the Year, and, in 2000, she was the first female president of the National Snaffle Bit Association. She has also shown two Reserve Congress champions in Western Pleasure which is no small feat considering this discipline is dominated by male trainers.
On a side note, It is also Suzy and her husband, Joe’s, 29th Wedding Anniversary on October 16th, and Jeane will be celebrating her anniversary by judging the Congress. Everyone who sees her, be sure to tell her congratulations!
This is Jeane’s second time to judge the world’s largest single breed horse show. “The first time was so overwhelming, but it was so much fun. I’m excited that I won’t be the low man on the totem pole this year. The new judges have to judge the barrel racing and the timed events, and I’m hoping I get to judge some of the bigger classes this year, but it is still so exciting to judge any event at the Congress. I love to watch the Trail at the Congress, and it is an honor to be able to judge the nicest horses in the industry.”
Jeane’s advice for exhibitors showing in the rail events at the Congress is to make sure you take the gaits when called. “Riders have made an effort to move up their horses, but they need to also have the confidence to step out to the middle and take gait calls when asked. It shows to me that the rider has a higher level of confidence when they don’t wait and drag out the time when they are supposed to change gaits. These exhibitors will be rewarded for their quick response.”
Suzy adds, “Everyone also needs to remember to breathe. No blue exhibitors! The competitors need to take in everything and enjoy it. We have a tremendous sport, but people need to not be so wrapped up with the prize but just enjoy the experience. You need to be self confident in your abilities and believe in yourself.”
Jeane goes on to say, “I love the camaraderie that is created between all of the judges when we are together. There are always a lot of practical jokes played on everyone during the Congress. I remember last time when I was judging; someone put some flowers in Dean Ross’s hands when he was asleep on the couch in the judge’s house on the show grounds. He is in the funeral business, so seeing him asleep like that made everyone laugh. Larry Little, whose nickname is ‘Double LL’, is known as the King of Funny at the Congress, so he is always playing practical jokes on people.”
This former NSBA president is also on several AQHA committees including the Blue Ribbon Task Force where they have been investigating how to level the playing field at the shows. AQHA wants to place the emphasis back on family values and making the shows fun for everyone. “I love being involved with AQHA because there are forward thinkers who want to develop a new plan to get more people involved in all levels of competition. They want to create programs and put forward new ideas to prepare for the future.”
Due to her father being in the military, Jeane was born in Washington, D.C., but she grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Ever since she was a young girl, she was passionate about horses. She met her best friend, June Warren, who recently passed away after a two year struggle with brain cancer, at a local boarding stable. They became fast friends and attended open shows together when they were young– competing in barrel racing, egg and spoon classes–anything they could enter. “Our parents would drop me and June at the horse shows, and we would stay all day and have a blast.”
At the age of fourteen, Suzy turned professional. She did not have the financial backing to be able to compete and show on the circuit as a youth, so, she instead started helping out at ranches and trainers in the nearby area including halter horse trainer, Cote Andrepont who hauled many honor roll halter horses.
Jeane also met an older boy at the same boarding stables she met, June, and developed a huge crush on him. Suzy was 13 at the time and the boy, Joe, was 20. Their seven year difference was a big deal then, but as they got older, the age difference started to matter less and less. Joe was involved with roping and showed with Robbie Schroeder. By the time Jeane started at Louisiana State University (LSU), Joe was still taking classes and attending school there. He had to work his way through school, so it took him longer to graduate. Jeane’s mother was a Home Economics Professor at LSU, and Jeane said she was expected to become, “Suzy Homemaker,” but instead she got her degree in Animal Science at LSU. Joe and Suzy started dating in college, got married, and had one son, T. Joe who had a very successful show career before going to LSU and becoming an architect. T. Joe is the 5th generation of their family to attend LSU.
After graduating from college and moving to Texas, Joe and Suzy Jeane worked for various trainers, owners, and breeders including Bob Perry who owned, Zippo Pine Bar and Zips Chocolate Chip. The Jeane’s managed the ranch for 12 years, until 1992, when Zippo Pine Bar passed away, and, the Perry’s retired and sold their Quarter Horses.
With the Jeane’s extensive background in breeding and raising high quality Quarter Horses, they opened their own farm, Down The Rail, which is located in Valley View, Texas where they stand several of the top stallions in the nation including Zips Chocolate Chip, Radical Rodder, Chips Hot Chocolate, Radical Revolution, A Sudden Vantage, and Dress Western. Jeane says that the breeding business has been down a dramatic seventy percent this year, but that their breeding operation has been lucky because they have older more established stallions that everyone comes back every year to breed their mares. She says the struggling economy and people moving to Kentucky also took a huge toll on the breeding operations in Texas. Her husband, Joe, runs the breeding part of their operation while Suzy Jeane deals with the futurity horses and judging. “I love the freedom of the horse industry. There are huge challenges with no limits. I am doing everything now that I dreamed about when I was a a little girl.”
Jeane says she is honored to be able to judge the Congress again, and it is rather bittersweet since she says this show reminds her of her friend, June. “It is ironic that actually two years ago at the Congress was when June found out she had cancer. Every time I see a hunt seat horse at the Congress, I think of her. I remember that when she was younger she was never afraid to drive up to Congress by herself. I miss her terribly, but the Congress is a sweet reminder of our friendship.”
