When it comes to showing horses, it can sometimes be easy to get stuck in a rut and do the same thing for years on end. We often get comfortable with what we know and there is nothing wrong with this. People often say that they would like to try something new but few get the opportunity to fulfill that dream.
When Rachel Walcoff of Strongsville, Ohio started at the beginning of the year, she knew she wanted to try something new. The Ohio State graduate student had shown in practically every event she could try her hand at, but there was one she still hadn’t done that captivated her – reining.
Walcoff grew up showing all around events at APHA and PtHA shows. She fell in love with over fences events. The incredible technicality and the adrenaline rush that came with the class had her hooked.
In 2014, she won her first world championships at the PtHA World Show aboard EFC Holesinmysocks. In 2015, she proved that she and “Socks” weren’t a one hit wonder. They did this by winning the Novice Amateur and Novice Amateur Working Hunter at the APHA World Show, as well as leading the nation that year in Novice Amateur Equitation Over Fences.
When 2016 rolled around, Walcoff decided she wanted a change. She had done her fair share of all around events and over fences classes. In keeping with her love for an adrenaline rush, Rachel decided she wanted to give reining a try. She had done some reining while she was in high school as a member of IEA, however, she had never competed at an NRHA approved show. She began riding with Marcia Hignett early this year, hoping to gain some knowledge and see if reining was for her. As show season approached, Hignett informed Rachel that she had the ideal mount for her.
Jess Kiddin MTK, affectionately known as “Jess” had his fair share of success early on in his career. Hignett had him in training as a four-year-old, when he took one of her clients through their rookie years. When the client moved on, Jess went into retirement. Two years ago, Hignett brought him out of the pasture at the age of 15 to be used as a lesson horse. Due to his spectacular personality and willing attitude, she decided to haul Jess to IHSA and IEA shows, where he was the ideal horse to draw.
When it came time for Walcoff to acquire her first reining horse, the 17-year-old gelding was an easy choice. “He truly does love his job. He loves competing,” Walcoff states. “It was like he never took a day off. Over the past few months, he has taught me so much. He’s the perfect horse to learn on. He will challenge you, but he’s still very forgiving of beginner’s mistakes. He gets excited to show, always having his ears up when he’s in the show pen and giving it his all. It is amazing to me that he’s still able to go in and win after all these years, but I guess correct and quality horses don’t go out of style.”
Walcoff adds, “He’s a three-year-old in a 17-year-old’s body. He jumps off the trailer and is literally the most energetic little horse ever. And he trusts me so much like a young horse, and he doesn’t try to outsmart me. He always runs with all his heart. I would say his drive is what makes him act like a young horse, he stops and spins with everything he has in his tank.”
There are many differences between the over fences events and reining, most of which are quite obvious. For instance, Walcoff was used to piloting 17.2 hand Socks, around a course. Jess is significantly shorter at 14.3 hands tall. “I can get on from the ground. With chaps. I’ve never been able to do that before!” Walcoff states, laughing. “If Jess was famous he would be Lebron James, despite the height difference,” Rachel says laughing. “He does his job and does it well, and is always in the spotlight.”
Aside from the obvious differences, though, there are quite a few similarities.
“I didn’t realize just how much my jumping background would help when I started reining. Both classes are so technical,” recalls Walcoff.
Walcoff notes that, in both reining and over fences events, hitting your marks is so key. Being aware of your place in the arena, where you want to go, and how you need to get there is pertinent to success. “I was so used to hunting my fences. I had to look up and ride, always being aware of my next fence and riding not just to it, but looking up and planning. It’s the same in reining. You have to hunt your stops, feel your spins and ride every step of every circle.”
Another similarity between the two events can be found in the showmanship you need to have in the arena. According to Walcoff, “There are so many things that could go wrong, and so many things you have to remember, in both classes. You can’t let a mistake get to you. You can’t overthink your go. In both classes, you have to go in there, do your job, and look amazing while doing it – even if under the surface, it isn’t going as well as you hoped.”
When she began reining, Walcoff set two goals for herself; she would like to score a 70 or above, and she would like to compete at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress. A long time APHA competitor and Oho native, Walcoff had only dreamed of showing at the Congress. This year, her dream will come true for the first time.
At her third show with Jess, and just her second to last show before Congress, Walcoff accomplished the first goal. After consistently scoring just below a 70, Walcoff scored a 71.5 on her “old man.”
Walcoff is also excited to be competing at Congress for the first time. She will show in green reining, rookie reining, and AQHA novice reining. “Growing up, showing at Congress was a dream. It’s so unreal that it will be my reality very, very soon,” says an ecstatic Rachel. “I would love to medal at Congress, ideally scoring at least a 70. I’m really just ecstatic to be competing against that caliber of competition and to finally show there.”
We wish them the best of luck!
