Wednesday Mini Mag

Muscotah Couple Finds Most Enjoyment Owning And Showing Their Horses By Frank J. Buchman

When a horse crazy girl marries a motorcycle riding boy, it requires some convincing that the family needs a horse. That’s the way it was for Susie and Don Jacobs, but the Muscotah couple is now prominently recognized in horse activities. Showing their horses in northeast Kansas shows, the Atchison County horse enthusiasts have collected many awards since a meager beginning. They are also anxious to volunteer for several horse organizations and events.

“I was always ‘horse crazy’ and wanted a horse more than anything when I was growing up,” Susie admitted. It was exciting for her when a cousin brought a pony to ride on the farm. “Then when my family moved to Lancaster, I wasn’t able to have a horse,” Susie frowned. “However, my neighbors had horses they’d let me ride even though I’d get bucked off sometimes.” Greatest fun was having “pretend horseshows” doing every kind of events on the ball diamond roped off like an arena. “We even made our own award ribbons and really enjoyed ourselves. It still wasn’t like having my very own horse,” Susie continued.

After marrying Don, the motorcycle enthusiast, Susie finally persuaded him they must have horses. “It took several years, but he finally gave in, and our lives have been so great with horses,” she insisted. “Although I had an ornery pony as a kid, I really didn’t have any interest in owning horses,” Don clarified. Yet following Susie’s persistence, Don traded his motorcycle for a horse “to satisfy my wife.” Not unlike many first time horse owners, Don’s purchase didn’t fit what he or Susie wanted or expected. “I didn’t know anything about riding, and that red roan Quarter Horse called Chico had lots of issues,” Don verified. Becoming disgusted with their first horse, Don and Susie sold him back to his original owner. Same story second chapter, a Paint gelding was purchased, and he didn’t work out either. “We had him at a trainer to be a pleasure horse, but he was too spirited for that. So we sold the horse to some area girls who got along good running barrels on him,” Don said. “Then we got an older well broke dark bay Quarter Horse called Woody who just fit us perfectly,” Susie interrupted. “We finally had a calm gentle horse we could enjoy and show.” Their son Brandon showed Woody successfully in halter as well as rail and pattern classes. “We were fortunate to have Woody for 15 years,” Susie noted. In the meantime, they acquired a sorrel blazed face breeding stock Paint mare named Cody’s Legacy which the family showed. “Cody was really good. Brandon showed her in 4-H and local shows as well as the state fair. I was fourth in Western pleasure on Cody at the American Royal in 2008,” Don smiled. Susie’s first horse of her very own was an Appaloosa called Dream Dancer. “I got him as weanling not even halter broke right off his dam. We borrowed an old trailer and had plenty of trouble just getting Dancer home,” Susie said. “He turned out to be my pride and joy showing him in showmanship and trail classes. I was really the only one who ever rode Dancer other than when he was at the trainer for a month. It broke my heart when Dancer passed away four years ago at 31-years-11-months-six-days old.” Susie also has many fond memories of her Virginia Highlander called Gold Nugget who she lost last year.

Still the 11-hands, black with white blanket pony called Thunder provides Susie plenty of enjoyment. “I got Thunder as a two-year-old and now he’s 30,” Susie said. “Brandon rode Thunder and helped train him. I’ve given lots of riding lessons on the pony to many kids around the area.”

Diversified Joe has been a top horse for both Don and Susie. “We got Joe as a yearling and trained him ourselves,” Don said. “Joe is one good son of a gun.” Shown in halter, showmanship, pleasure, horsemanship and trail, the big sorrel gelding has won every class at one time or another.

“I honestly can’t count all of the awards Joe has won,” Don attempted tabulating. “He earned us the Northeast Kansas Small Area Group (NEKSAG) highpoint 40 and over award the past two years.” Additionally, Don won the Ray Harrison Highpoint Trophy at Lancaster and NEKSAG yearend pleasure and halter championships two years straight. With more than his share of problems, PR Tiger Bay is Susie’s next show champion, she declared. “Tiger has had severe tears in his front lower digital tendons requiring considerable medical attention and care,” Susie informed. “I’ve worked tediously with Tiger following all of the doctor’s orders for his complete recovery. He really shows a world of promise for me.” Living on their 45-acres farm about 22 years, Don is a retired machinist. “But I still work two days a week which is enough. I still have time for my horses, trap shooting and putting up hay,” he said.

With several jobs throughout her life including serving as a babysitter, Susie stays busy fulltime on the farm nowadays. “I have two big gardens and get to work more with the horses,” she said. Don and Susie are active NEKSAG members while Susie especially enjoys acquiring items for the fundraising

auction and yearend awards. “I actually work at it all year. It’s a lot of fun for me helping the club in every way I can,” Susie said. With outside employment, Brandon doesn’t show horses anymore but continues to be interested and helps with their chores. Without the slightest grudge Don readily admitted horses provide much more enjoyment than motorcycles ever did. “Horses definitely are good for a person’s body and mind,” Don confirmed. “I plan to keep riding and showing as long as I can get myself up in the saddle.”

Enthusiasm continually bubbling, Susie echoed: “I’m still crazy about everything to do with horses. I love working with them and especially enjoy participating in the shows. I’ll always have horses and show as long as I can.”

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CUTLINES

Don Jacobs of Muscotah has ridden his sorrel gelding called Joe to collect many horseshow awards throughout northeast Kansas.

Susie Jacobs waves from Cody while giving Katie riding lessons on Thunder.

Tiger already has a proven halter show record with Susie Jacobs as she plans to start his performance career this year.

Average Can Be Best

“The law of averages will balance it all out.” Reminder of that fact has recently been imprinted several times. Many insist “average” is not good enough declaring being the “best” is what matters the most. In reality it is impossible to be a winner every time. Records verify all-time champions often had top scores yet sometimes were also losers. What made the point hit home was a recent jackpot barrel race with several outstanding riders competing. Among ten adults entered were no less than four cowgirls of national-winning caliber mounted on proven superstars. It was a two-round competition with fastest time total in two runs the victor. Those cowgirls were outstanding readily scoring best times in their first runs. The sleek race horses with fit young riders were impressive in tight turns and speeding down the straight away. The archaic wannabe on his big, old, home-raised, ranch-bred palomino gelding was about two seconds off their fastest time. With little hopes of taking home the trophy on the announcer’s stand, ringside he watched the cowgirls’ second runs. Third fastest first-round cowgirl was going lickety-split and knocked the second barrel down. Second fastest in the first out reset her mount inside the gate becoming an uncontrollable runaway to the first barrel. Next up was the first-go fastest time in perfect position around two barrels then sure enough crashed that last drum. Adrenalin flowing with horse prancing through the gate, they were off running perfect pattern as possible with that rider. A second faster than their first-round, it tallied to be the overall prize winner. Average counted most in the end. Study this year’s National Finals Rodeo, story is the same. Several go-round winners got bucked off or had timed event problems in other go- rounds. Those consistent contestants every time out didn’t collect that much go-round money but had the best total scores. Average counted most in the end. When the calf crop was sold in early October, there were some market toppers and others didn’t sell very high. Take home check was above a year ago. Average counted most in the end. Reminded of the Parable of the Sower Biblically referred to numerous times about the farmer who planted many seeds. While some seeds didn’t produce for various reasons, other seeds yielded many-fold; the law of averages. +++ALLELUIA+++ XV--2--1-10-2021

Kansas Pioneer

Apple Salad

3

Apples diced (choose variety for taste and color) Seedless Grapes (your choice of Red or Green)

2 c. ½ c. 1 c.

Sliced celery

Coarsely chopped nuts

2/3 c.

Miracle Whip® (you choice salad dressing or Mayo)

½ c. Powdered Sugar ( optional) Chop nuts and reserve Chop apples into small pieces place in bowl. Cut grapes in half and add to apples. Slice celery into thin ½ moon slices and add to bowl. Stir in Salad dressing. Cover and refrigerate. I save the nuts until right before I serve so they don ’ t get soft. In my opinion this salad is best if served within 3 to 4 hours after making. Right before serving stir in nuts and transfer salad to serving bowl. Note: This is NOT a do ahead like most of my recipes. This is a very nice salad for holidays as it is light and cuts through all of the heavy holiday fare. It is very pretty if a variety of colors of crisp, sweet, apples and grapes are chosen.