Jessica Howard | Dedicated Rider | March 2025
Published: April 1, 2025
Author: Amy Prechter
Hi there, my name is Jessica Howard. I came to CRE in August of 2023 after meeting Amy at a rodeo in Bozeman. In a brief conversation, I mentioned to Amy that I do eventually want to purchase my own horse. Not a push button horse, but one where I could grow and learn from. After a couple weeks of lessons Amy introduced me to Sid. Following a couple weeks of “dating”, Sid officially became a Howard. What came to follow was not what I expected, but I will be eternally grateful for. Sid was not in the best physical shape when we purchased him. Not from lack of feed or care, but lack of proper work to build and maintain his muscle….as is easily seen in the first photo.
After guidance from JA, I started Sid on much needed nutritional supplements. Next, we began the process of getting him into shape, which of course resulted in me getting into horse shape. I don’t mean physical shape, I mean getting into shape mindset wise. This wonderful horse has grown my patience level, greatly increased my humility and has shown me how truly dedicated I am to him. One proudest moments with Sid is when we won 2nd place in the Trail Competition at CRE’s Halloween party. The proud moment didn’t come from winning 2nd place but from how much Sid and I have grown as a team. In our first trail class, the tarp was a pit of crocodiles, and the car wash was a tunnel of spikes in his mind. Both of which brought us to the far end of the arena, hiding away from the rest of the class. So, to me, 2nd place felt like 1st place at the world finals. 😊
Sid has always been a barrel horse. His goal has always been to prove to any horse around that he is the fastest horse in the arena! Hence the given nick name “Ricky Bobby” if you’re not first, you’re last! Unfortunately for Sid, his human still needs to rise to his level and be comfortable with his speed. Through lessons with Amy and conversations with Justin, they developed a training and lesson regimen that was deigned to constantly “keep me on the edge of uncomfortable”. His raw speed in the barrel pattern is a force of nature that I am slowly but surely becoming accustomed too. I have dedicated myself to becomingthe rider that this amazing horse deserves! Two of the most cherished compliments I have received from the CRE family are: “I don’t think Sid has ever known love like that” and “Jessica, you look like one with that horse.”
Thank you to Amy and Justin for being amazing mentors in my equine journey and always being two of my biggest supporters. My goal each day comes from Phil Haugen, “be 1% better than you were the day before.”
