story by Lindsay Humphrey
Day in and day out, it’s nothing but horses for Ella Jackson and she wouldn’t have it any other way. If she isn’t riding one, then she’s probably learning about them from Dr. Katie Lesh at Stillwater Equine Veterinary Services. “Other than barrel racing, equine reproduction is my passion,” said the 17-year-old from Burbank, Oklahoma. “I’ve always loved the idea of becoming a vet and thought it was something I wanted to do one day but after spending time with Katie she’s build up my confidence and helped me realize that it’s probably something I can actually do one day.” Even though Ella started working with Dr. Lesh just last August, she’s already learned enough to be self sufficient as a horse owner. “I had a horse at home cut her face and Katie sent me home with a suture kit. She’s been an amazing teacher.”
Surrounded on all sides by incredible mentors, perhaps the one that tops the list for Ella is her mom, Erin. She was being hauled around to barrel races long before cutting her first tooth, which likely engrained the sport deep in her bones early in life. “I remember watching my mom run barrels and knowing that’s what I wanted to do growing up. I started getting serious about it in the sixth grade, which is when I started with Epic Charter Schools.” The freedom homeschooling provides is now two-fold for the high school junior. Not only does she have more time at home for a long string of horses and colts, but she can also spend two full days a week working with Dr. Lesh.
Topped out with 13 broodmares at home, Ella’s family started breeding their own futurity prospects almost five years ago now. “Once my parents realized how serious I was about barrel racing, they jumped headfirst into whatever they could to help me. My dad (Tyson) is really into the breeding program and now we have our first set of colts ready to run in futurities this year. They’ve been nothing but supportive.” Growing up on a cattle ranch, Ella’s mom was always involved in ranching but had a strong affinity for barrel racing that she didn’t get to quench until later in life. “Everyone in my whole family is either ranching, roping or rodeoing, all my aunts, uncles, cousins, everyone.” Even Ella’s 12-year-old sister, Shayde, can’t get enough of the family tradition.
“It’s been a lot of fun having my sister around for high school rodeos now that she’s in junior high. She’s doing really amazing and we make a good team. When she’s struggling with something I can help her work through it. She’s really good at staying positive, so it’s been fun to have her with me these last two years.” Ella’s third season with the OHSRA didn’t start out quite as she had hoped it would. “My good barrel horse got hurt at the first rodeo of the fall season, and was out for six months. My main goal has been to bring her back.”
Most of Ella’s knowledge as a horsewoman can either be attributed to her heart horse, Elvis, or one of her riding coaches – Mari Kaufman, Wenda Johnson or Stephanie Sell. “A lot of my success has been on that horse and what he taught me is irreplaceable. I wouldn’t be where I’m at or have the confidence in riding without him.” Even though Ella’s time with Elvis was cut short two years ago, he lives on in every horse she rides. “Running that horse was always amazing. I qualified for the Junior American and that was a fun trip thanks to him.”
