Interview With National Qualifier Jessica Johnson

Jessica Johnson
1st Place Novice Equitation Over Fences 

Full Name: Jessica Ann Johnson

Classification: Sophomore

Discipline: English (Open Equitation on the Flat and Intermediate Equitation Over Fences)

What is your favorite thing about your discipline?
- My favorite thing about Hunt Seat has to be the adrenaline rush I get while in the jumping ring. I am absolutely terrified of it, but it's my favorite thing in the whole world!

What was your first goal when you started on the team?
- Honestly, my biggest goal when I joined the Tarleton State Equestrian Team was to meet and become friends with people who enjoyed doing the same things as me. I never would have expected to be where I am now, and I am so thankful for the friends this team has given me and the support they have for me and all our other teammates!

How did you feel the morning of Zones? How did you mentally prepare yourself? 

- The morning of zones was very stressful. I had to be up extra early, not to get to the arena, but to register for my fall 2018 classes and if you are a college student, you feel my pain. When it came to nerves for showing, I had slim to none, I just wanted to enjoy the opportunity and whatever happened happened! I don't really have a routine to calm my nerves because I have been showing for so long that I don't really care as much how I do, as I care about how much I enjoy what I'm doing.

Jessica Johnson and Scout

How did you feel when you realized you were going to IHSA Nationals in Harrisburg, PA this year?
- Well, when calling out placings, they start with 10th place and move up to 1st. Knowing in my mind that 1st and 2nd place qualified and when it was me and one other girl left, for 1st and 2nd place, I was already crying. I looked over to my competitor beside me who won reserve and we both were tearing up hard knowing we had just qualified to represent Zone 7 in Novice Equitation Over Fences at IHSA Nationals! It was an unreal feeling!

Is there anything you feel you could have done better in your ride?

-  I rode a wonderful big horse named Scout for my Novice Equitation Over Fences class and the biggest mistake I made was chipping into my 4th fence. I thought way too hard coming up and I should have just sat back and rode, but it messed me and the horse up a bit. Another mistake which wasn't as noticeable was nearing the 5th fences I had brought him back a little too much in the corner and we almost broke gate. Other than that my fences round was beautiful and I could not have asked for a better ride. In my flat class, I rode a super sweet horse named Alf. The Intermediate Equitation on the Flat class had a ton of great riders on great horses. The only mistake I wish I could change in my flat class was pushing my horse out a little more. He was very responsive and easy-going, but after re-watching my ride several times he for sure needed some more pace!

Has qualifying for IHSA Nationals surpassed your goals from when you first started on the team?

- It is still surreal to me that I will be going to compete at nationals and in every way does it surpass my goals. I am just so happy to get this opportunity to go and represent this amazing team and school. I cannot wait to make my teammates proud and represent us in the best way possible!

~ Editor: Jade St. Denis