AMATEUR JUMPING

BACK WITH A VENGEANCE

BY KIMBERLY FRENCH, JOURNAL INTERN 

They were the champions from 2001 to 2004. Jettin Boone or “Jet” has five world championships and Vicki McAngus of

“We didn’t win it last year,” Vicki said. “One of my kids broke their leg in October so I didn’t do much riding to get him ready to come here and we didn’t win. I was disappointed and this year I was more determined. It was like we had never won before. I kept practicing and practicing. I was like ‘let’s go back and win.’”

Vicki McAngus and Jettin Boone soaring over a jump in amateur jumping.

It was no cakewalk. The field included former world champions The St Louie Special and Prince Dell Te Fire. Vicki’s strategy was simple and worked like a charm.

“After two horses were clean, we knew all we could do was go for it,” Vicki said. “We had to go as fast as we could and make all the fast inside cuts. That was the game plan.”

It seems hard to believe they had only shown twice this year and that was simply to qualify. It must be Oklahoma City.

“It’s this ring,” Vicki said. “He hates the alleyway. I think he gets claustrophobic when everybody starts making all the racket. But the second you get into the arena, or you start jumping him out there, he changes. He likes being out there by himself because he’s in the spotlight.”

Now that he has regained his title, Jet is entitled to a helping of his favorite treat. He likes pepperoni pizza but cake is his top choice.

“Wedding cake is his favorite,” Vicki said.” He likes plain white wedding cake.”

Naturally, Jet assumes he is the center of the universe.

“If people don’t come and pet him while he’s in his stall he starts banging on the stall walls,” Vicki said.  “I’ll go over and open the stall door, he’ll hang his head and the people will pet him. Then he will go back to munching hay. He thinks they’re there for him.”

Vicki purchased Jet as a coming 4-year-old. She fell in love with him the minute she rode him even though he tried to buck her off. The love affair has continued for 14 years and counting.

“We went over a jump, and I was like make it higher,” Vicki said. “After we went over the jump, he started bucking. My friend didn’t think I would want him anymore, but I fell in love with his get up and go. He has such spirit.”