Please judge Cali only. I know my postition isn’t very good here, this is an old picture. She was rather fresh this day. Thank you!!

Hello JMR! I’m Sarah Rijkenberg (better known as ‘Pippin’), I’m 15 years old, and I would like you to nominate me for the Judge My Ride Poster Child! My horse is name is Finnivaire (you may know her as Cali), and she is my future 3’6 hunter, but currently my 3′ hunter. When it comes to picking the best person for the job, I would like to ask you a question:
What do you look for in a JMR Poster Child? They should be well known and frequent posters, real competitors, and a good person both in and out of the barn. I am all of these things, on top of being Photo of the Week, SmartPak Photo of the Month, and winning the SmartPak Premium Evaluation, all coming together to make me the ideal Poster Child!
I love the site JMR; because of how much it has taught me, and how it has improved my riding. I post on this site every week, with current pictures. It’s really helpful to be able to post a picture, and get an analysis of exactly what I’m doing wrong and what I’m doing right. It’s also great to get several opinions, which is exactly what this site offers, and the main reason I post on it so often. I enjoy reading all of the judges’ comments on different photos of other people, to understand what exactly what good equitation is. I also like looking at the photos from other disciplines than my own, because it helps me to get an idea for what is considered correct to other people. It’s fascinating to see how others ride, and the different ideas and techniques they use. This makes it so that I not only enjoy frequently posting myself, but also reading all of the other posts.
Not only do I post many photos to JMR, but I am also a dedicated competitor, who shows on the A circuit. I think that it is important for an equitation based organization, to have the Child representing them be a good rider. I have been riding for only a short time, but already have several seasons of ‘A’ circuit completion under my belt, with numerous wins. In total I have been riding only 4 ½ years, which makes my success in divisions like Children’s Hunters more note worthy, as all my competitors have been riding for much longer than me. I know that I have so much left to learn, but in addition to my wonderful coach, JMR is helping me to do that! All of the tips I have received from Rob, Carol, and Sharon have helped me to fine tune my equitation. I have also recently bought my first horse, and hope to work with her, so I can become a better rider, competitor, and team. I know as a rider, you never truly stop learning. With all of these combined efforts, I know I can further my equestrian career, and be the best Poster Child.
Being a great rider does not make one a good person. I think that it is as important for a Poster Child of JMR to be as good a person on their horse as they are off. I am a thoroughly devoted horse person, and can always be found around the barn. I go to great lengths to make sure I give my horse the best care possible, whether it be giving her supplements, or the hour I spend grooming each and every day. I am the first person to help out at a show, or lend someone a forgotten piece of tack. Outside of the barn, I am also a hard working student, taking all ‘Gifted’ or ‘Advanced Placement’ courses. I have also been accepted into the ‘Athletic Internship Program’ at my school, which is designed for high performance athletes. I take my school work as seriously as my riding, in hopes of graduating and becoming an equine veterinarian. I pride myself on being an excellent student; whether the teaching is coming from my riding coach, or math teacher.
As you can see, a lot goes into being a good poster child. Whether you’re studying hard, winning ribbons, or simply reading up on Robert Granges most current critique, there is always something to be done. I am always trying to be the best I can be, in everything I do, which is really the essence of any real Poster Child. I hope that you think about everything I have said, when YOU pick the JMR Poster Child! Thank you for reading my post, and please consider me a nominee.

Sorry, I now I posted before, but it must have just been looked over This is me and Cail She’s a TB/Hano cross, 15.1 hh, and has done verything from Short Stirrup to the 3’6 hunters. I’ve been riding for about 5 years, and really started showing this season, with her. I only rode her for about 2 weeks, but we clicked so well, we started showing. I have been riding her for a few months now, and recenty bought her. We showed Childrens Hunters, which is 3 foot. It was a good division for us, because she can jump 3 foot with her eyes closed, and I needed a steady-eddy type for my first season out. I would like this to be judged by JWI, regular jugdes, and anyone else! Thanks!