Most Select Amateurs would not change their riding disciplines at the pinnacle of their show careers, but husband and wife, Jay and Julie Cain, are not your average select riders, nor couple.
After competing in the all-around events for several years, they decided to switch to, of all things, the jumping events! Under the supervision of multiple AQHA and Congress and World Champion hunter trainer, Lainie DeBoer, they are headed to the Congress for the very first time. In addition to that, this couple will be showing a mother and daughter team in the Novice Amateur and Select Amateur hunter events at the All American Quarter Horse Congress.
Jay will be showing the dam, who is 18 years-old, Artic Lark (Katie), while Julie will be showing the daughter, Larks Best Bett (Betty), who is an eight year-old mare by Bett Ohio. They bought the mother when she was a young prospect and raised the daughter.
“She is pretty funny, she has a facial expression for all occasions, happy face, grumpy face and a I am so upset with you face,” Julie mentions when talking about her horse, Betty. “She tries hard, enjoys jumping, on the flip side, she tends to be an over thinker like I am which can lead to challenges from time to time.”
Julie also adds, “Betty can also recognize her mother in a sea of chestnuts!”
Both are native Minnesotans and actually were set up on a blind date by horse show friends. Jay, who is an electrical engineer, calls his wife the talented one, but, Jay declares he is more “tenacious.” His wife, Julie, acknowledges that they are both competitive but supportive of each other. The couple also smile and laugh when asked if they will be nervous showing at the Congress for the first time. Julie says, “No, but I’m sure Jay will be”, and then Jay responds by saying, “No, of course not, but I’m sure Julie will be.”
Throughout their show career, the Cain’s have competed in nearly every event one can exhibit in the show ring except speed events. At one time, the couple had Arabians, quarter horses and a Saddlebred. They showed in the reining, hunt seat; western and saddle seat rail work; horsemanship; equitation; showmanship; halter; trail; driving and dressage at the training level.
“Over the years, this evolved to showing all around quarter horses. We always dabbled in jumping, but found ourselves gravitating that way when I lost a great all around show horse a few years back and was looking for my next challenge,” Jay recalls. “What I like about jumping is that it is so much more interesting and challenging than the other events.”
Julie reveals that she simply loves horses and working with them. “Showing is another facet of that– the icing on the cake. I also enjoy the wonderful friends, show staff and volunteers, we have met showing, and they keep us coming back as Jay and I truly enjoy it.”
Their trainer, DeBoer, explains to us in detail that the couple gets homework assignments every week and they follow them to a tee. They show up for two lessons a week, one of which is on Wednesday evenings. The Cain’s have come for lessons when it is 20 below windchill.
“The horses are truly their passion and they pride themselves on taking amazing care of them at home. While they started taking lessons, they also were dieting and managed to lose about 50 pounds in the process. Talk about a life change,” DeBoer shares with GoHorseShow. “Last year they came to watch the Congress and set it as a possible goal for this year. They have had a lot of fun this summer with the girls (their horses), so they thought it would be great to finish up at Congress. I am excited for them to have this experience.”
GoHorseShow wishes them good luck at the Congress and will be checking up on them after they show!
Photos © Margaret Roth
