Sunday April 6, 2003

2003 Pan American Games Contenders: Jacqueline Paxton

Sangmelima and Le Roc, Partners in Crime

Coaching Jackie was Wolfgang Schierloh who flew in from Germany for the CDI. “I bought the mare from him,” explained Jackie. “He trained her from the start so he really knows her, which is great. He’s helped me now for two years.” Wolfgang lives near Reinhart Nielson, with whom Jackie trains during the fall, and while in Germany, Jackie is able to regularly visit Wolfgang as well. Reinhart also flies in to the States to coach Jackie at shows.

Following Jackie’s stellar performance in the Prix St. Georges, Wolfgang was positive in his assessment of the mare. “She’s very good now. I am happy that Jackie got the mare and she loves the mare. They both together did a good job. It goes better all the time but today it can’t be so much better. It was really good.” Wolfgang purchased Sangmelima, who is by Sacramento Song out of Pik Bubes Lady H, as a three-year-old and trained her to Prix St. Georges/I-I before he sold her to Jackie 18 months ago.

While 12-year-old, 16.3-hand Sangmelima was in the limelight, Jackie’s other mount, Le Roc, a nine-year, old 18-hand gelding (Larso x Brassika I), was holding his own at the CDI, earning 64.80% for 15th place in the St. Georges. “He’s my back-up guy. He’s a steady eddy, so I just threw him in there because I have him here,” said Jackie. “Last weekend he got a 68. It’s really good to have another horse to go in and get to know the ropes more and get the judges to see me more.” After his recent performances, Jackie is giving the gelding a second look as a Pan Am prospect but she admits her heart is set on Sangmelima. “She’s a little lighter for me and with Roc – he’s 18 hands and he’s really light and easy to ride, but the mare and I connect that little extra spark that pushes it over the top.”