Ana Cramer of Cumming, Georgia is on cloud nine after winning the Justin Intermediate (Rookie) 31-49 title for 2014. At the beginning of the year, Cramer exemplified the definition of Rookie. But she was fortunate to have found the perfect horse, Lopin Lika Lexus, to begin her AQHA show career.
“Every time Lexus and I step into the show arena, we make a special memory,” Ana told us. “He is truly a fun horse to show and he has a huge heart to match his huge body.”
In 2014, the duo ended up with several High Point state awards as well as finishing three superiors in Senior Western Pleasure and Open and Amateur Performance Geldings. Lexus and Ana earned over 110 Performance halter points in their first year ever showing halter. They placed 5th in the Performance Halter Geldings at the AQHA Novice East Championship Show and were finalists in Amateur Western Pleasure. The team finished off the year winning state and national rookie titles.
Under the guidance of trainer Jamie Higgins since March of 2014, Lexus and Ana quickly became a team to beat. “Ana loves showing horses so much. I’m just glad there isn’t a show every day,” Jamie says laughing. “She would be at a show every day. Ana loves showing Lexus. She made 2014 a great year!”
Cramer largely credits the Higgins for their success. “Jamie and Mallorie Higgins are truly the nicest, most hardworking people I know. They want their clients to ride to the best of their ability and go for the win every time we step in the show arena,” Cramer shares. “In March of 2014, Lexus and I landed at their barn and I remember telling Jaimie, ‘I know there are a lot of things that both Lexus and I need fixed, but I have a half of an Amateur point and my Rookie year has started, so I hope that I can keep showing and maybe be in the Top 10 in the national standings.’ Thanks to Jamie’s incredible talent, hard work and dedication, Lexus and I showed under his guidance and surpassed every goal and expectation I ever had.”
This single mom of two boys, Evan, 12, and Joshua, 6, can thank her older son for getting her into showing on the AQHA show circuit. Cramer told us that when Evan turned seven, he wanted to ride horses. Evan started riding and showing English, but after a couple of years, he asked his mom, ‘Isn’t there any type of horse showing I can do that I don’t have wear tight pants and a tie?’ Ana told her son that he could try western.
This single mom of two boys, Evan, 12, and Joshua, 6, can thank her older son for getting her into showing on the AQHA show circuit. Cramer told us that when Evan turned seven, he wanted to ride horses. Evan started riding and showing English, but after a couple of years, he asked his mom, ‘Isn’t there any type of horse showing I can do that I don’t have wear tight pants and a tie?’ Ana told her son that he could try western.
That’s when Lexus came into the picture. Cramer began searching for a horse to buy which led her to Alabama where Lexus was for sale. “When I rode Lexus for the first time, that was the third time I ever sat in a western saddle,” says Cramer, who started riding and showing in hunter/jumper events as a young girl. “Lexus is 17 hands and I felt comfortable on him because I was used to riding a 17 hand Warmblood. He rode slow and smooth so my mother, Maria Cramer bought Lexus for me in January of 2012.”
Cramer says that she loves the personal challenge of showing in the western pleasure classes. “After showing hunter/jumpers for years, I never expected that riding one handed on the rail in full draped reins could be such a challenge. Well, it is. I love the challenge that every time we show, the circumstances are different and the partnership between Lexus and I grows stronger.”
Her journey has not been without challenges. The 35 year-old remembers when she first started showing Lexus in Amateur classes.
“At the beginning of last year, it was nerve wracking showing against such great competition while still feeling like a novice. At the same time, I was attending larger and tougher shows than I ever had before,” Ana says. “Let’s not forget the awkward feelings I had because I am overweight, show in a Blue Ribbon work saddle, and wear a fairly simple show shirt because I do not want to attract any attention to my body size with a lot of bling on my show shirt.”
“At the beginning of last year, it was nerve wracking showing against such great competition while still feeling like a novice. At the same time, I was attending larger and tougher shows than I ever had before,” Ana says. “Let’s not forget the awkward feelings I had because I am overweight, show in a Blue Ribbon work saddle, and wear a fairly simple show shirt because I do not want to attract any attention to my body size with a lot of bling on my show shirt.”
Throughout the year, Ana said she had people coming up to her and telling her that they were proud that she was doing so well. Cramer says that she could not have gotten where she is today without the support of Higgins Show Horses, her mother, and her show friends, especially Daniel.
CLICK HERE to view her ad in the February issue of GoMag.
“The encouragement I have received has helped me start an exercise and diet regimen and losing weight has made me more aware of my riding aids like leg pressure and sitting up taller in the saddle,” Ana reveals. “I am beyond thankful to Lexus for tolerating all my mistakes along the way and to the AQHA judges, trainers, and spectators whom I have shown to and have looked past my weight, tack, and clothing and have judged us based on Lexus and my abilities to be the best we can that day in the show arena.”
We congratulate Ana and Lexus on a job well done!
CLICK HERE to view her ad in the February issue of GoMag.
Photos © KC Montgomery (released) and JLM Photography
