Thoroughbred Incentive Program August Youth Ambassador: Jesse Gaudry

“Thoroughbreds are so smart and athletic. And that the T.I.P. program is so very important to the breed because it helps to show people how easy it is to adopt or buy a Thoroughbred and to train it for its next career after horse racing.”

All photos by Julie Gaudry

T.I.P. presents August’s featured Youth Ambassador: Jesse Gaudry. Jesse, 14, is from Saskatchewan. Jesse and her Thoroughbreds, Boss and Rambo, participate in eventing.

Jesse Gaudry (14, Saskatchewan)

Horses

• Registered Jockey Club Name: Track Boss
• Show Name: Rambo
• Registered Jockey Club Name: Cee’s Treasure
• Show Name: Boss

How did you start riding?

My dad put me on a pony he bought for me when I was four, her name was Peppermint. Then I was obsessed with horses and I started taking riding lessons from my coach Laurel when I turned 5 years old.

What is your favorite thing about riding/or your horse?

I absolutely love my horses energy and how good and free I feel when I’m on them. Nothing else matters at that time except me and my horse.

What would you like to do when you are older?

I’m still young and at times I’m sure I will be a vet because I love all animals. But then I would also love to be a nurse because if I could help people who are sick or injured I absolutely would.

Tell us your favorite quote and why:
“Git R Done” – because ever since I could remember my parents have always told me to never drag my feet, head up, and cowgirl up.

What do you think the most important aspects of horsemanship are?
Look after your pony’s needs before anything else! Always! Stable management is very very important; also clean tack makes a happy horse. Be kind.

More Fun Facts

How many pets do you have (and what kind)?
I have 2 dogs – a German Shepherd and a basset hound. I also have a barn cat, and I have 3 Thoroughbreds and an Appendix horse.

What is your favorite animal (apart from a horse)?
Dogs and puppies (all kinds)

What is your favorite color?
Purple

What is your favorite food?
Pizza

What is something unique about you?
I have a photographic memory which comes in hand for jumping, cross country and dressage patterns

What is one word that your friends would describe you as?
Confident

What is one thing you would like to tell people about Thoroughbreds or the Thoroughbred Incentive Program?

What I would love to tell people is that Thoroughbreds are so smart and athletic. And that the T.I.P. program is so very important to the breed because it helps to show people how easy it is to adopt or buy a Thoroughbred and to train it for its next career after horse racing.

What are your goals for your horse in 2018?

1) Boss – my goal for Boss is to be the provincial hunter champion at the Saskatchewan Horse Federation Provincials
2) Rambo – my goal for Rambo is to hopefully win a horse trials show next summer at the pre-training level.
3) Freddy – my new OTTB – I want to show Freddy at a couple of hunter shows

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

During the winter I love to play broomball; last year we were provincial Bantam Champions. I have now started modeling in my spare time, I have done a few photoshoots. At the Dressage Nationals for pony club in Edmonton, Alberta, I was selected to be in a photoshoot with the dressage horse I was riding. I am now an ambassador for the belt company called Unbelts. The poster I am in is shown at the Spruce Meadows Vendor fair in Calgary Alberta and just recently it was at the Royal in Toronto, Ontario. When my dad gets new Thoroughbreds he often asks me and my brother to go ride with him on his TBs. I love riding the new horses and getting to know their different personalities. I do really well in school. I am in Grade 8 and I am also fluent in French. “Et je peux parler en francais”. I love and do very well in math and science. I’m always willing to learn new skills like snowboarding, other languages, and other sports.

The Thoroughbred Incentive Program was created by The Jockey Club to encourage second careers for Thoroughbreds when their racing days are over. The T.I.P. sponsors Thoroughbred-only classes and high point awards as well as Performance Awards, special year-end awards specifically for Thoroughbreds. The T.I.P. also recognizes non-competing Thoroughbreds through its Young Rider program as well as a special award for Thoroughbreds in careers such as therapy horses or other non-profit outlets.

To learn more about the Thoroughbred Incentive Program, please visit the organization’s website.