IN MEMORY OF DARLIN JILL (4/18/1977 - 2/2/2006)
 

Darlin Jill came to our farm and into our hearts in June 1979, just barely two years old. Our oldest son, John started riding her and went through many challenges with Jill as she always had a mind of her own. You never forced her to do anything--you found a way to get through to her and then she was more than willing. She is one of the reasons we got so involved with the POA--both state and national.

John showed Darlin Jill from 1980 to 1985 winning many Regional and International show 13-18 Boy High Point Awards. Their best and most memorable year was 1985 when they won the first ever Versatility competition in Columbus, OH at the International show with a first in reining, first in hunt seat pleasure, second in western pleasure and a second in cloverleaf barrels. He also won the 13-18 Boys High Point at that International show, Midwest Regional, Mideast Regional and Northeast Regional that year. This placed Jill 7th in Top Ten Performance Pony in the nation.

John graduated from POA in 1985, his cousin Scott Conrad rode Jill in 1986 for his last year of competing as a youth in POA. Again, Jill showed what she was made of taking Scott to high point 13-18 boy at the 1986 International show in Oklahoma City. Jill placed 9th in the Top Ten Performance Pony in national year end awards.

In 1987, our youngest son Jared (then 11 years old) rode Darlin Jill. Jill taught Jared a lot because she was not an automatic pony. I love the pictures we have of Jared riding Jill in a barrel pattern, the panic on his face, hanging on tight as she is practically laying on her side making the barrel. Jared finished his last year in 9-12 on Darlin Jill winning her 3rd high point saddle from an International show. In 1987, Jill was 5th in Top Ten Performance Pony in national year end standings.

Jill was not only our main show mare, but she always had a foal at her side and bred back for the next year. Jill raised a total of 20 foals for us and 4 of them went onto become Supreme Champions and 2 are POA-ROM Champions. Her 1985 foal, J-N Gold Rush won the national weanling colt futurity and her 1987 foal, J-N Precious Gold placed 2nd in the national weanling filly futurity.

Besides winning the first ever Versatility competition, Jill is in the POAC Hall of Fame, is a Premier Dam, a Proven Producer and a Supreme Champion. Jill accomplished her Supreme Champion award at the age of 7. When we retired Jill from the show ring in 1987, she had 2,708 halter points (267 Regional/International points)), 43 Grand Champion and 22 Reserve Champion awards; 11,591 (2,056 Regional/International) in non-timed; and 12,343 (2,078 Regional/International) in timed. This is enough points to make her a Supreme Champion at least 5 times.

The day we had to put this terrific mare down due to a serious leg injury was the saddest day at J-N Farm. Each and everyone of us miss so much seeing all those brown spots out in the pasture enjoying the retirement she so richly deserved.