Welcome to the ACHA

ACHA Cutting Clinic
Thursday, May 16 - Reserve your spot now!
Click here for info.

Communication Methods:

1. Would you like to receive emails from ACHA?
   Send your name to us at achacutting@yahoo.com to be added to our email list.
2. Would you like to receive reminders via text from ACHA?
   Simply text "@carysi" to the number "81010". You will automatically be added to the ACHA group and be able to receive text messages from time to time. You can opt out from receiving these messages at any time.
3. "Like" our Facebook page and the pages of our affiliates to get up to date information or send messages via Facebook.

Member Spotlight

ACHA CONGRATULATES:  JENNIFER BOWERS

Jennifer was born and raised in Houston, but being a true country girl and animal lover at heart, she vowed never to return to city life. She became infected with the horse - addiction disease at a very early age, starting with pony rides, rental horses, and lessons on Saddlebred horses at a nearby stable. She finally convinced her parents to buy her first horse, an older Missouri Foxtrotter that she pretty much lived on during after school hours. “I remember the day that the high school band director issued me an ultimatum: that it was time for me to choose between riding horses or being in the Marching Band. That clarinet got sold!”

While in high school, she worked odd jobs to earn money to buy a green broke 3 year old solid-bred Appaloosa filly (NOT recommended!), tack, and a two horse trailer. After she finally trained that bad-minded App filly herself, she borrowed the family station wagon to haul to open shows all around the Houston area, showing in halter, showmanship, English and Western pleasure, trail, horsemanship, and bareback equitation. She still has boxes of trophies and ribbons in the attic as a reminder that even the impossible is possible. By the way, none of that was a good idea, but she loved doing it!

Also while in high school, she began her dream job of working at a local vet clinic after school and weekends. She had informed her parents at the tender age of 3 that she wanted to be a veterinarian when she grew up, so upon graduation from high school, she headed to Texas A&M. She had always had a particular love of Arabian horses, so she bred her versatile but bad-minded Appaloosa mare to an Egyptian Arabian Stallion, and raised, trained, and showed the resulting Half-Arabian filly while she was in college. She began showing Half-Arabians in English and Western pleasure, park, and native costume. She was named Gulf Coast Arabian Horse Club Queen and went to Albuquerque to compete in the National Queen’s contest and was a member of the National Championship judging team. She also had the honor of carrying the American Flag aboard an Arabian stallion named Cass Ole, who later starred in the Disney movie, The Black Stallion.

After graduation from A&M, she moved to Marshall, Texas to practice veterinary medicine, where she became active in competitive trail riding and distance riding. After moving to Bellville, she continued to judge and compete in competitive trail riding until that fateful day in 1996 when she rode her first cutting horse. Uh oh, she was instantly hooked!

1997 was a turn-point year when she married Steve, who romantically bought her first cutting horse and new Roohide saddle for her first birthday after getting married. Gray Jr was a big, handsome 16 year old gray gelding that had been trained by Ronnie Rice, and was the perfect horse to teach her how to cut. Bill Ragland frequently referred to Gray Jr as “the World Champion Beginner Horse.” Together Jennifer and “Brocke” won numerous belt buckles, American Championships, ACHA Top Tens, and Houston Livestock Show 10,000 Amateur finalist (3rd place) their first year of showing, taking lessons from trainers Tony Seamons and Richard Sims. Husband Steve, who had not ridden before, became interested in cutting, so Jennifer bought him a surprise Christmas gift - a retired, sweet 13 year old Shorty Lena gelding named Short of Bucks. Buck was needing some conditioning and retraining, so while Tony worked his magic, Steve began riding Gray Jr. Jennifer began showing Short of Bucks, promptly winning Houston Livestock Show 10,000 Amateur Reserve Champion.

Jennifer also had a 1997 filly that she had purchased at the Austin County Fair in training with Tony Seamons. Rebels Jewel Bar quickly became her favorite horse and together they won many Stock Shows, American Championships, buckles, saddles, ACHA and NCHA year-end awards, and AQHA ROM.

2002 was also a special year on APHA mare Silky Velvet Bar, also trained for Jennifer by Tony, when they won the APHA World Champion Amateur Cutting. “Back then, the APHA cutting was big, there were 3 bunches, about 40 entries, with 5 NCHA judges, and it was held in the Will Rogers Coliseum. We were the unanimous first place under all 5 judges, and were lined up for winning all kinds of prizes, which was loads of fun.” Jennifer won ACHA Non Pro World Champion titles in 2014 and 2018 aboard Rebels Jewel Bar and another home grown gelding, Heavens Lil Twister, also trained by Tony Seamons. Tony has trained several good horses for Jennifer, and she describes him as having two qualities that she greatly admires. “Tony is as honest as they come, and he has a stellar work ethic. I really appreciate all his hard work and all that he has done for me and my horses.”

Jennifer loves being a part of the ACHA family with all the unique personalities and encouraging atmosphere. “I truly appreciate all the exceptional help, the constructive criticism, and tremendous encouragement from all the ACHA trainers.” She has served on the ACHA Board of Directors for many years, and still enjoys serving on the Rules Committee.

Jennifer and husband Steve have both been certified SCUBA divers since the early eighties, with thousands of dives logged all over the world. Their idea of the perfect vacation is living on a boat for a week in a remote location with nothing else to do besides “eat, sleep, and dive.”

In her professional career as a small animal veterinarian, Jennifer says “I have been blessed by God to be able to do every day what I love most. I love helping people with their pets. As for the future, I just want to keep on doing what I’m doing for as long as I am able to do so. I’m living the good life!”