by Charlotte Anne Smith — When it comes to horses, Sharon Jeffco of Nowata, Okla., just about does it all.

She has made four world and grand champions over the last two years, is a professional carded judge, therapeutic riding instructor and teaches other riders besides those that qualify for the therapeutic riding program. She also breaks and trains horses both for herself and others.

Her horses have been featured on live stage, musical productions, dinner theatre and TV as well as many exhibitions and clinics for such notables as NARHA and Purina Mills, yet Sharon has been known to muck her own stalls.

“We moved to Oklahoma when Phillips hired my husband to design some convenience stores about 10 or 11 years ago.” Jeffco said. “First to Bartlesville, and then we bought this place and moved here.” Her current residence is the Double “J” Ranch on U.S. 60, west of Nowata. Now she is totally immersed in the horse world and the strangest part is she didn’t grow up horse crazy like so many involved in the business did. She was raised in Pennsylvania and says the terrain around Nowata reminds her of where she grew up, one of the reasons for deciding to stay in Oklahoma.

Part of her time is spent traveling in connection with her judging duties for the National Foundation Quarter Horse Association and the American Ranch Horse Association.

In 2007, she judged the World Show for the American Ranch Horse Association and is currently studying to become a judge for the American Quarter Horse Association. She has judged a number of shows in Oregon,Texas and South Carolina, but travels nationwide.

Sharon is most fond of the old Quarter Horse bloodlines and has many horses with legendary bloodlines still on their papers such as, Nowata Star, King, Smart Chic Olena, Freckles Playboy, Playgun, Doc Quixote, Zantanon, Eddie 50, Blondy’s Dude, Peppy San Badger, Be Ache Enterprise, Miss BH Victory, Doc Bar, Impressive and Noble Tradition (HYPP N/N), Ed Daniel, Watch Joe Jack, Watch Joe Lady, and The Intimidator.

A number of her horses can be seen on the Double “J” Ranch Web site www.doublejranchperformancehorses.com (still under construction).

While Sharon doesn’t make breeding her main focus, she does have a great stallion and produces a couple colts each year for sale to the public.

Sharon’s mentor and trainer is a native of Nowata, who currently lives in Kentucky breeding and raising performance Quarter Horses—John Graizer.

Sharon still calls on John to assist in an advisory capacity since he’s had several World Champion titles of his own.

In addition to competing at sanctioned shows, Sharon has provided horses for other events. One of her horses, Sadie, was called upon to satisfy the desires of an actor who had never been on a horse. “He had never been on a horse before and knew nothing about riding but wanted to ride onto the stage at the Bartlesville Civic Center in front of a full orchestra and audience singing Oh What A Beautiful Morning.

The Bartlesville Civic Center was a bit leery of Sadie going through the carpeted lobby, so we had to take her up the steep steps in the loading dock area where the tractor trailers back in, plus there was a trap door on the stage that she had to stay away from, for obvious reasons.” Sharon said. “When the song was over, the audience just roared with applause. Sadie just stood there—didn’t bother her at all.” Sadie actually received a second curtain call and a standing ovation. “When Sadie was pregnant, we dressed her in a diaper, baby bonnet, and hung a huge baby bottle around her neck. Our guests had to decide why she was dressed that way. You could do anything with her.” Jeffco said.

Sadie was bred by Trent Smith and received her original training from Tracey Smith, both of Nowata. Sadie was originally donated by Tracey Smith to the Bluestem Therapeutic Riding Program where she assisted many riders before continuing her career at the Double “J” Ranch. Sadie has since died and is buried on the Jeffco ranch….and will be missed by many.

Sharon uses many techniques to teach riding and teaches everything from dressage and jumping, to both English and Western disciplines.

“My students have to earn their saddles; especially if they stand in the stirrups too much. Sometimes they even have to earn their bridles!” she said. “Safety is number one. We teach all the aspects of being safe with these animals first. While very few are interested in a career in classical riding, I use it a lot at the start as it creates a secure balanced seat. Learning this principle is very useful no matter what kind of riding you prefer.” she said.

Since the training takes place in an indoor or outdoor arena, there is plenty of opportunity to work out problems and decide on what is the best program for both the horse and rider. While learning to ride and do it correctly takes work, there is also play involved. They have choreographed classical drill teams, play soccer with big exercise balls which teaches the students to turn and gauge their speed, and other games to make learning even more fun.

“While “I’ve ridden about every discipline, right now I’m fulfilling a dream of competing on cutting horses.”

As if all of this wasn’t enough, Jeffco is also a certified equine massage therapist.

“Horses can get very stressed which will impact the way they move,” she said. Their muscles get tense and tied up just like ours. Or maybe they’re recovering from an illness or injury. You could equate equine massage to a human athlete getting massages from their trainers. It helps keep them from over straining, tearing muscles or ligaments, or just enhances their performance. I’ve also worked on race horses and barrel horses just to improve their speed by just fractions of seconds which could mean winning or losing.”

While Sharon intends to keep on doing what she is doing, she has one more area she is passionate about adding to her program. She is very interested in developing a program for our returning soldiers. Studies have shown riding a horse is extremely beneficial to our veterans no matter if they came home with some kind of “issue” or not. “Horseback riding is very good for balance and strength, plus there’s just something about being on the back of a horse that relaxes you, takes your mind off other things, and adds a sense of pride and accomplishment” she said.

For more information contact Sharon Jeffco by e-mail at sjeffco@aol.com, or visit her website at:

www.doublejranchperformancehorses.com.