Brent Jacobs
2011 American Saddlebred Horses, Saddleseat Equitation, Academy & Roadster Pony judge
Brent Jacobs' love of horses started in his back yard on Werk Road in Cincinnati, OH. His parents, Dr. and Mrs. Donald Jacobs had a barn behind the house where Shirley Seager came in to instruct all five sons. Brent showed the most interest and his parents took him to Helen Crabtree in Simpsonville KY where he became the nations leading boy riding in the late 50's and early 60's. While in college, he spent two summers with Don Harris and apprenticed with him.
In 1968, while in his second year at Northwestern University, his parents purchased 400 acres in Georgetown KY where Brent could start his own stable...Werk Way Stables. Brent transferred to the University of KY where he graduated two years later with High Honors.
Brent has trained such known American Saddlebred champions as the World Grand Champion Junior Three-Gaited Horse in 1980, CH Gamin (who went on to be the grand dam of the 2009 WGC Junior Three-Gaited horse, CH Travelin' Man), twice WGC Three-Gaited Pleasure horse, CH Choice Lady, WC Sultan's Flight, and other World or Reserve World Champions and National Champions such as CH My Southern Charm, CH Recoup, CH May Issue, CH Magna Cum Laude, CH Monster Man, CH Royalty In Black, CH Ramses, CH Spirit Seeker, CH Coaltown Prince, CH All Roses, CH The Lord's Affair, CH Irish Lord, Irish Linen, CH Jasper Love Song, CH Lover's Heir, CH Gala Affair, CH Lexmark, Saturday Night, CH Crescendo In Black, CH Bartlett's Victory's Lady, Jennifer Logan and many others. Road Pony champions include Arabesque, Fit To Be Tide, Texas Tommy, and Crystal Creek Night Aire.
Brent's best known equitation riders he instructed are his daughter Brooke who has National honors in the UPHA Senior and Adult Finals, Saddle and Bridle's Pleasure Equitation final, three time Pleasure Olympics Gold Medalist and the only rider to earn her way on the US World Cup Equestrian team four times....his younger brother Andy, to the Ten and Under Walk-Trot-Canter World Championship back in the 70's....Martha Bosken to Top Ten status in all finals and Toria Heck and Samantha Rolfes to top honors in the Pleasure Equitation division.
Brent has taken over 60 riders and 100 family and friends of these riders to South Africa six times for Invitational competitions.
Brent started judging in 1970 and has judged the World's Championship twice, the American Royal twice, and shows all over the country. He has judged all the Equitation finals at least two times. He has judged South Africa's National (World's) Championships twice and was scored the top judge both times among four judges.
Brent has earned the respect of his piers by being honored with the UPHA's Distinguished Service Award for his 20 years on their board (2 years as President, 2 as Vice President,14 as Treasurer and 2 Immediate Past President) as well as the UPHA Shirley Parkinson Professional Achievement Award and the ASHA's Gordon Jenkins International Award. He has been on the board of the American Hackney Horse Association and is currently on the USEF's Hearing Committee.