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Women's History Month Saddlebred Strong Stories: No Words Needed

The world can be a challenging place for young women. Society has its pressures and history of unfairness. While we all face these challenges, some have even greater sources of adversity to overcome in their young lives. Hailee Jump is one such girl, but it has not stopped her from becoming involved with American Saddlebreds and pursuing her dreams.

At 20 months old, Hailee was first diagnosed with hearing loss during a follow-up appointment for ear tubes. Hailee's mother was determined her daughter was having more difficulties hearing then anyone knew. Hailee had developed some convincing coping skills, so her mother had to insist that a test be performed. When the tests concluded, doctors were surprised to find that Hailee's mother Becki was very much correct. She received hearing aids at that appointment, but they only were sufficient for about a year, and Hailee required surgery for her first cochlear implants, which gave her the ability to hear again.

At five years old, Hailee attended a camp for children with hearing loss, and, as it often happens, her challenge led her to horses. The camp's pony rides were her favorite activity, on their way home from camp the family stopped in St. Louis and as luck would have it, there were carriage ride tours. Hailee was only too thrilled to bring horses into the experience. The carriage driver was friendly and interactive with Hailee, letting her sit up front and help her hold the reins. It was clear between camp and the carriage ride, Hailee had been bitten by the horse crazy bug!

Her parents were supportive of her interest and signed her up for lessons. It didn't take long to find that riding came with extra challenges for Hailee. Cochlear implants are held on magnetically and because of that can be knocked off by excessive movement. Add to the difficulties was the fact that the school helmet she used at first would disturb the implants. Hailee's early lessons were interrupted continuously with trips into center ring for helmet adjustments to ensure that the implants were in place so she could hear the instructor and continue riding safely. It was clear she needed a helmet that would better suit her needs, and after some problem solving and shopping, she and her parents found that a Troxel with a dial in the back was the most accommodating. This helmet could first be put on loose as not to disturb the implants and then tightened down for safety. Even with the helmet problem solved, there was more adversity ahead for young Hailee to navigate to advance in her riding.

Hearing with cochlear implants is not as straight forward as many might think. One of the most significant challenges Hailee faces in distinguishing voices and other noises from each other.  Hailee diligently faced these challenges determined to be able to hear her instructor not only to learn but to be able to get to the point where all would feel safe with her riding in different environments, like a horse show.  Even with this difficulty, Hailee's passion for riding and horses empowered her to fight through these challenges to progress in her riding and start some pretty big #asbdreams.

From the beginning, Hailee was always asking for a horse of her own. Her parents were skeptical as she had tried other sports before and lost interest after a year. So instead of jumping into horse ownership early, they brokered a deal with their determined daughter. If Hailee was still riding in two years, she could get a horse. No surprise to any equestrian, but amazing to her parents, two years later, Hailee's passion for horses had not waned.  While her parents were thrilled, they had to explain that despite the agreement, horse ownership was a bit beyond their means at the time. They compromised with Hailee and began increasing Hailee's lessons and allowing her to start competing in Academy as an ASHA member in 2016.

Over the next four years, Hailee continued to be a hard worker, involved with horses in and out of the saddle. Her parents rewarded her for this dedication with the horse she had always wanted.  Hailee is now the proud partner of the American Saddlebred gelding, Ro & Me's Allakazam, also known as Trigger. There are no words needed to describe the love, confidence, and joy these two bring each other. Trigger and Hailee are enjoying that magical relationship between horse and rider, where they have a language all their own.

This dynamic duo is ready to begin building memories together. They will make their big debut in a suit at Mid America Spring Fling this year. The overall goal of the 2020 season is to have fun doing what they do, and she wouldn't mind a ribbon or two along the way.

Hailee's mother, Becki, still worries about the challenges a rider like her daughter has to face in the ring. It is never far from her mind that Hailee's implants could be knocked out of a place during a fall and leave Hailee completely deaf, potentially put her at greater danger. Yet while she understands the possibility, she also believes that the impact of American Saddlebred's on her daughter's life is well worth any additional risks Hailee has due to her hearing impairment. The American Saddlebred community has given Hailee support and acceptance, and connections that are almost like having an extended family, as well as special interactions with other women who have overcome challenges with hearing loss to keep showing. 

One of Hailee's favorite things about showing is having an environment where she doesn't feel different from others because of her hearing loss. It is that feeling of acceptance, so many of us know comes only with the inclusive and challenging environment that horses create.

March is Women's History Month, and this year the ASHA will be sharing a selection of "Saddlebred Strong Stories" that celebrate the fantastic stories of strength, enrichment, and support that the American Saddlebred horse and community bring to our "Horse Girls" lives every day. If you know or are a "Horse Girl" that has a great Saddlebred Strong Story about how an American Saddlebred has helped start a new personal journey, fulfill a lifelong goal of being a "horse girl," or helped develop someone as a person, please send to [email protected], Jessica Cushing ASHA Marketing, and Communication Manager, today for a chance to be featured during Women's History Month.