We are saddened to report that multiple AQHA World Champion Sweet Talkin Jeannie had to be humanely euthanized on Tuesday, April 28. This legendary mare was 22 years old. Jeannie was by Sweet Talkin Chip and out of Jeannie Straw and bred by JS and Virginia Fulton Jr. of Madison, Virginia. The legendary bay mare amassed over 1,400 points and multiple superiors in the western riding, horsemanship, showmanship, and western pleasure.
“I’ve been blessed with many horses who stole my heart, but this mare knew my dreams and my mind,” says owner, Joetta Bell. “She always knew when it was time to step up and show them how it’s done. She never let me down when it was time to show. Even when her critics were at her heels, she’d stand up and say, let’s go.”
Her most impressive titles included winning both the Amateur Western Pleasure with Joetta and Senior Western Pleasure with Shane Dowdy at the AQHA World Show in 2004. Joetta went on to win the Amateur Showmanship in 2005 and the Amateur Western Pleasure and Western Riding at the AQHA World Show in 2006. Jeannie and Joetta finished off their career in 2007 with two AQHA Reserve World Championships in the Amateur Western Pleasure and Western Riding.
“Jeannie was never an easy horse,” Joetta recalls. “She had a mindset similar to a difficult woman. Jeannie hated a horse trailer. She would’ve preferred to get to a show flying first class. She never once cheated when she showed; she did not want to embarrass herself. She hated Barn 1 in Oklahoma City, and the green lights saying ‘Gateway of Champions’ freaked her out. But, when she reached the gates to the arena, she was ready.”
Sweet Talkin Jeannie was also a successful dam producing such talented horses as Amateur AQHA World Show All-Arounder Krymsun Kryptonite, Lope Out The Doubt, My Ace Is Hot, and Jeannie In A Bottle.
“I’m proud to say she developed me as a rider, exhibitor, and owner. For what she gave, she deserved so much more,” Joetta shared. “She was the dream you hope to ride, and she was mine.”
Our thoughts and prayers to the Bell and Meredith families and to everyone involved with this once-in-a-lifetime mare.
