UPHA Richard E. Lavery Professional Horseman Of The Year - Jenny Taylor
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Editor’s Note: The following speech was read by Jim Taylor Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 at the UPHA/AHHS Convention.
The UPHA Richard E. Lavery Professional Horseman Of The Year Award is presented each year to an individual that is dedicated to the industry and has an interest in the respect of the profession of training horses. The process by which this person is selected is relatively simple. Any active member of the UPHA can be nominated by any member. The list of nominees is then considered and voted on by the Executive Board of the UPHA.
As a member of that Board Of Directors I was asked to be the presenter for the 2009 recipient. I must tell you that I was quite uncomfortable being put in this position and tried several different times to get out of it. Uncomfortable because there are a hundred different ways I could get into trouble telling you about this individual. Uncomfortable because I didn’t even vote for this year’s honoree. I withdrew myself from the voting due to what I considered a major conflict of interest. You see, this year the Horseman of the Year is the love of my life, Jenny Taylor.
You can probably imagine some of the ways I could get in trouble tonight: I could show a photo of when she graduated from High School, but I wouldn’t do that. Or her first attempt at training, and I certainly wouldn’t consider doing that. Or when she was a toddler. Now that is about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. But you can see how I couldn’t do any of those things without hearing about it later. Thank God Jackie did it and not me!
Jenny started riding hunt seat but soon switched to saddle seat after her father purchased a Morgan colt that was quickly flunked by their hunter trainer. That colt was Wil-O-Mor Spitfire that went on to become one of the top Park Horses of his time.
Several of us here tonight first met Jenny when she was working for George Knight. That was in 19????. Oops-better not go there-More Trouble. George’s influence has without a doubt contributed greatly to her success in the show ring.
Her career advanced even more when she was hired as an instructor by Lonnie and Renee Lavery of Richlon Farm in Sharon Center, Ohio. One of her first students was Lindsay Lavery, but again I can’t say when that was or I could get it from both of them. Jenny treasures her relationship with the Lavery family that grew from the time spent working at Richlon.
Tom Ferrebee Stable proved to be Jenny’s introduction to the show horse world on a national level. There she helped train and show numerous World’s Champions such as Olympic Flame, Finestere’s Legacy, Albelarm’s Supremacy, Albelarm’s Sumac Lady, Mr. Casanova, and Karrissa Hi-Lite just to name a few.
Most of you are probably not aware that Jenny ran her own stable for a time. She called it Riders By Jennifer and during this time she instructed numerous equitation riders to National Titles in the Arabian industry.
Then there was Memory Lane Farm. I think the best thing to do at this point to not get into any more trouble is to show you a few of Jenny’s favorites. Saddlebreds WC Intoxicating Lady, WC Albelarm Radiant Lady, WC Bahia , WC Gaitway’s Once In A Blue Moon, RWC Dream Castle, WC Silver & Blue, and of course CH Beringer Red.
Some of her favorite Morgans include WC Sirrah Go Go Girl, five-time world champion Firewind Diva, Bad Company, RWC Enthusiastic, WC PLS High Pine Picasso, RWC HVK Vibrance, and the current World Grand Champion Park Saddle Horse, Stonecroft Trilogy.
Some of the other champions you may have heard of that Jenny helped trained are: Cat Cracker, Moving Violation, HPS Starchild, It’s Go Time, The Grand Master, Stonecroft Trillium, It’s Tea Time, Heartland Smooth Operator, Stonecroft Neo Classic, and I’m A Big Leaguer. This year’s two combatants at Louisville and Kansas City in the fine harness division Castledream and The DaVinci Code were both in Jenny’s capable hands early in their careers.
A multi-faceted trainer and instructor, Jenny’s show ring accomplishments are just a portion of what makes her deserving of tonight’s recognition. She is the ultimate professional. A fierce competitor in and out of the ring, yet always there to assist a fellow exhibitor. Win or lose you will always see Jenny with a smile on her face, truly happy to be doing what she loves.
Jenny’s commitment and dedication to the UPHA can never be questioned. She served as secretary of chapter 13 for five different chapter chairmen. As Chapter Chairman she was a member of the board of directors representing Chapter 13 for four years. She was the Show Committee Chairman for the Cleveland Classic Horse Show and for the past several years has headed the UPHA’s Annual Fund Raising Committee for our local area.
By the way, she also holds the current record for being married to the most UPHA Presidents. Guess I just could not help getting into trouble.
Some things never change with Jenny; love for her animals, loyalty to her friends, devotion to her profession, and a never ending smile that exemplifies the true sportsmanship she has demonstrated throughout her career.
Please join me in congratulating the 2009 UPHA Professional Horseman of the Year, Jenny Taylor.
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