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Two Times, Two, Times Two                                                      Two Generations Two Lead Liners Two Winners

Two generations of Stoffels are in the show ring. They are Shelby and Brandon Stoffel and their mother Denise Wagner Stoffel. Dad, Bob, and brother Bobby are always there to lend a hand and cheer on the riders.

Spotted Alias Jim, owned by Denise and trained by Jennifer Isaac, brought two lead line exhibitors to the winner’s circle. Shelby Stoffel was the 2004 California State Lead Line Champion and now Brandon, who started his show career by entering the 2006 Gold-N-Grand, won the 3rd place Overall Buckle for his Lead Line performance riding Spotted Alias Jim.

Jennifer Isaac is delighted to be training her second generation of Stoffel kids. Denise trained with Jennifer as a youth and she continues that tradition with her two children. Shelby aspires to ride Jim in the 9 and under walk trot classes in 2007. She is very proud to be able to tack him up all by herself and ride independently in the indoor arena. Brandon, well…he is just happy about his belt buckle. “The kids just love Jim and take such pleasure in just being around him”, says mom Denise, who also rides Jim and just won the 3rd place Overall Buckle in the Non-Warm Blood Hunter Under Saddle class at the 2006 Gold-N-Grand. “This is the family horse everyone is looking for. We are very blessed to have him in our lives.” Denise reflects

Jim has always been somewhat of a show off, kicking up his heels at local and regional shows. He is best known for his “aires above the ground” while being lunged. But once he gets his kicks out he is all business. In 2001, Jim won the High Point All Around Championship for the Appaloosa Breed in California and obtained his Cal-Western Superior Championship #62. In Cal-Western’s 40-year history he was the 62nd horse to gain that honor. Jennifer tells us, “That was the year he came into his own. He grew up and really became a seasoned show horse.” The following year he won his National Versatility Championship. What luck to find such an outstanding individual at the 1996 World Show Sale.

Often in the same year and the same show Jim has competed in English, Western, Trail, Saddle Seat and Lead Line classes. “This horse exemplifies all the qualities that Appaloosa owners talk about wanting in our Appaloosa horses.” says trainer Jennifer Isaac. “We take him everywhere, to open shows and breed shows. With his handsome features, his fabulous disposition and very enviable versatility he is a true representative of the Appaloosa Breed.”

Jennifer Isaac has trained and shown Appaloosa Horses in Northern California for 36 years. Hunters, Jumpers, Pleasure, Cutters, Reiners and even Race Horses – she has done it all partnering with her husband Mike, out of their Wilton California ranch. Jennifer’s philosophy is safety, fun, patience and horses who can think. As a long time member of Cal-Western, Jennifer brought many new comers to the Appaloosa Breed. She started training and showing Appaloosa horses in 1969 and became very active with her Race horse, turned Show horse, Slates Pueblo.

It is horses like Jim, trainers like Jennifer and families like the Stofflels that are the Appaloosa Breed. Three cheers for the Lead Liners and their parents and, oh yes, let’s not forget Jim the versatile Appaloosa.

Story by Paula Laiewski