Rack On!
"Jake" and SEP member Donna Van Evera
by Anne Chunko
For more information about the Standardbred Equestrian Program, contact Jamie Coffy.

Long time equestrian Donna Van Evera rode Quarter horses and other stock breeds for many years. Seven years ago, she got involved with Tennessee Walking horses, and last year, she decided to try a speed racking horse.

Van Evera came across an ad for "Jake," a speed-racking show horse for sale in Kentucky. Impressed with the brown gelding, the Minnesota resident drove down to the Bluegrass state to pick him up and take him north.

While getting acquainted with her new horse, Van Evera found a tattoo on his upper lip and called the USTA. Jake turned out to be registered as Niles Smoke, an unraced son of Niles Hanover out of the Hickory Smoke mare Up In Smoke. While Jake might not have had speed on the track, "he’s like a rocket to ride," Van Evera said, "but still very responsive and listens to my voice."

Van Evera has been teaching the gelding to slow down and "smell the roses" on their many trail rides together. However, showing at a fast rack seems to make Jake happiest.

"This horse loves being in the speed racking classes and really comes to life when the crowd starts cheering him on," she said. Since racking horses are fairly rare in Minnesota, Van Evera has performed racking demonstrations at Tennessee Walking Horse and open gaited shows as well as competed in a few speed racking classes.

Van Evera has ridden in state-level trail rides and shows, and she is looking forward to the 2003 show and trail season. "This horse is tough as nails as far as endurance goes," she explained. "I had to bring him up to condition when I got him, but I get the feeling he could go all day. I’ve never had him get tired on my yet.

"I’m really glad I got made the trip down to get him," she added. "He’s a nice addition to my other two horses!"