CLICK HERE to view the July Issue of GoMag
About the Cover
We are very happy to feature Emma DeJong and her two horses, Just Call Me Lazy (Houston) and A Midnight Cowboy (Jett), on the cover of the July AQHYA World Show issue of GoMag. In Oklahoma City, Emma will show Houston in the Level 2 and 3 Youth Trail 14-18 and Level 3 Youth Horsemanship 14-18 and Jett in the Level 3 Youth Hunter Under Saddle and Equitation 14-18.
“I hope to have great rides, but my main goal is to make it into the Trail finals this year,” the eighteen-year-old from Bargersville, Indiana, revealed. “It has always been one of my favorite classes, and I would love to be in the finals.”
DeJong shows under the expert guidance of Show Horses by Shannon. “My horses and I have grown tremendously in the past few months. Shannon Walker, Hannah Lind, and Spencer Groth are such an amazing team. I’ve never seen three people work so well together and create miracles like they do,” Emma says. “It has been an amazing honor to be welcomed into their program. I am forever grateful to them and all they do for me and my horses. They truly are my biggest fans.”
Emma started riding at age four and showing on the AQHA circuit in 2018. Her favorite win so far was in 2021 at the Congress when she won the 12-14 Horsemanship with Just Call Me Lazy. “It had been a dream of mine since I was little. My most surprising win was at the AQHYA World Show with Just Call Me Lazy when we won the Level 3 Youth Equitation 13 & Under in 2020.
“Houston is my heart horse. He tries his hardest for me whenever I swing a leg over him. When you’re around him, you can tell he’s one of the happiest horses and is always looking for a treat,” DeJong told us.
“Jett is one of those horses that means business. He’s a little stubborn sometimes, but is one of my smartest horses. Every day, he comes out and wants to learn something new. He also needs alone time in his stall after he gets worked.”
Emma would like to thank everyone who has supported her in her journey. “My family for being the biggest supporters. My trainers for having my back and pushing me to my best potential. Also, my mom. Without her, I couldn’t be where I am today without her love and support.”
Everyone at GoHorseShow wishes Emma, Houston, and Jett continued success at this year’s AQHYA World Show and beyond.
CLICK HERE to view the July Issue of GoMag
Cover Design: Courtney Moses – Photos: Shane Rux, GoHorseShow, Attention to Detail
The deadline for the August NSBA World Show Issue of GoMag is Sunday, July 28th. To reserve your space, call or text Suzannah Fuhrman, GoHorseShow’s Co-founder and Executive Vice President at 214-449-8716 or email her at [email protected]. She will be happy to answer any of your questions and can help design an advertising package to fit your needs and budget perfectly. GoHorseShow…Where The Winners Go.