FIRST FIRSTS: JAMIE SAILOR

Jamie Sailor and Flashdance jumping to victory in the YJC Western League 5-year old Final at Showpark 

PC: Captured Moment Photography

Jamie Sailor is becoming a household name on the West Coast. Though her #PathwayToSuccess began many years ago, achievements in both the hunter and jumper circles have put her name in the spotlight time and time again. Since her victory in the USHJA International Hunter Derby during the Blenheim Spring Series, she has been on a Derby roll with multiple mounts.

Her success in the Hunter Ring is just the start. Sailor is also known for successfully developing horses, like Flashdance, through the Young Jumper divisions. In her role as Assistant Trainer at Mike Edrick Stables, where she was a student before turning professional, she adapts to the individual needs of each horse in order to help them reach their full potential.

While there are many first firsts in Sailor’s future, she appreciates the ones from her past, which have shaped her current career. Memories abound and she shared several of them at Blenheim horse shows and beyond.

Below, Sailor shares her most important first firsts at Blenheim shows and more!

Jamie and Miss T collecting their prize at Pierce College – her first first EVER

When was your first first at a horse show?  What do you remember about it?  

My first win ever I believe was on a western pleasure paint mare named Miss T. I started showing western pleasure on a very low level county circuit when I was 6 years old or so. I did Walk/Jog classes and I remember winning frequently since I had a very competitive trainer. It was fun but I quickly realized the thrill of jumping over obstacles. And so my love for show jumping started young!

Do you remember your first win at a Blenheim show? Can you tell us a little bit about it?

My first win at a Blenheim show was a special one. It was my first time at the Las Vegas National in 2006. We had brought my horse What About Bob (aka Bob) who my mom and I had basically rescued. I had only done a few children’s jumpers classes that year with another horse but had never taken Bob to an “A” show. He lived at home with us. The pressure was on since Mike Edrick (my trainer then and now boss) wasn’t impressed with him with the few lessons I had taken on him. Then I won two of the children’s jumper classes that week!

We would love to hear about any other ‘first firsts’ that are memorable.  

I have to tell my first pony story! Salsa was a chestnut and white pinto pony mare. She lived in our backyard in Northridge. We had her since the time I was born in 1991 until I was 3 years old. I remember being lead around on her and walking her around by myself.

She died while giving birth. I was so sad that I didn’t want anything to do with horses. In 1994 we moved to Chatsworth, and I was ready to ride again. Here we are, 25 years later and I am still riding away!

My first USHJA National Derby win was with Cloppenberg, owned by Jet Pets Equine at the time, in 2015 at the Memorial Day Classic held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. I remember being extremely excited since I also took home second place with Taylor Cusumano’s horse Matador.

Hopeful was my first USHJA International Derby win which was incredible! It was truly special, out on the Oaks International Grand Prix grass field.

My success with Flashdance in the Young Jumpers over the years has been super rewarding. I love bringing the young horses along.

Jamie is all smiles on What About Bob, one of her biggest teachers