Wilmington Standlee Sunday Spotlight: Evie Jaeckle

Wilmington, Ohio – This week’s Wilmington Standlee Sunday Spotlight shines on Evie Jaeckle, a chiropractic physician and dedicated competitor who balances a full-time career with success in the jumper ring. From developing young talent like TJC’s Doja Cat to bringing TJC’s CeeLo back to the top level, Jaeckle is building an inspiring program while managing both her practice and her riding at WEC – Wilmington. We caught up with Jaeckle to learn more about her journey, her horses, and how the venue has given her the space to pursue both her career and competitive goals.

WEC: Tell us about how you got started riding.

When I was really little, around two years old, my mom took me to a place in Florida near my grandmother’s house just to do a pony ride. My mom said I got on and was perfectly happy, and she was walking and talking with the girl that owned the pony. All of a sudden, they heard me yelling. My mom turned around and I fell off. She thought I had broken something and tried to figure out what was wrong, but I was actually reaching for the pony because I wanted to get back on! I was just so upset that I wasn’t riding anymore. And that was pretty much the beginning, I loved it.

My parents made me work for it. I had to take lessons for a whole year without missing a single one, two to three times a week. I committed to that for the entire year, stuck with it, and that Christmas when I was five years old, I got my first pony. That was really the beginning of everything.

WEC: Tell us about TJC’s Doja Cat and TJC’s CeeLo.

My mare, TJC’s Doja Cat, is seven this year. It’s actually our first show of the year, so I started her in the 1.20m and plan to slowly move up as the season goes on. I’m obsessed with her. She’s so spicy and catty and just game for anything. I actually named her after Doja Cat because she has that same personality, so sassy and fun. I got her from Lauren Patterson when she had about four months under saddle, and since then it’s really been my training. Developing her has been so much fun.

My other horse is TJC’s CeeLo. I showed him in the Futures Prix this week. He’s actually coming back from surgery. A couple of years ago he was jumping the Grand Prix level with me, and then he needed surgery, so we’ve been rehabbing him and bringing him back slowly. It was really nice to get him back in the ring doing what he loves and start building him back up in the heights again. It been really rewarding to see him coming back!

WEC: Outside of riding, you also work full-time. How do you balance your career with competing?

I’m a chiropractic physician. I rent a booth in Vendor Village at the horse show, and I specialize in treating riders and horses. I’m licensed in Ohio, so I have a lot of patients that come to see me at the show. Scheduling can be a little tricky, but it’s amazing because I can ride and compete during the day, and then after I’m done, I go see patients. Being able to do both at the same place is really special for me. It truly takes a village, and I’m really grateful for my team at home that helps me manage both the chiropractic clinic and competing.

WEC: What has your experience been like competing at WEC – Wilmington?

I love it here. It’s a really calm environment, which I appreciate. There’s great prize money, of course, but what I really enjoy is the community. My stalls are close to my booth, I have a great client base here, and it’s nice being able to work and show at the same time. Everyone knows everyone, the vets, the exhibitors, and it really feels like a supportive group of people.

WEC: You won the Six-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship this past fall series. What makes that program valuable for young horses and owners?

The Young Horse Incentive is awesome. You nominate the horse for the year and then you can jump them in those classes without paying entry fees. When you’re developing young horses and moving them up in height, you’re not always winning money right away, so having that opportunity is a huge advantage. It gives them a chance to make mistakes, learn, and gain mileage in a big venue without as much pressure. I think it’s a really great program for developing horses for bigger competitions later on.

WEC: What are some of your goals for the season ahead?

My big goal is to get CeeLo back into the Grand Prix ring. He’s kind of a miracle horse after the surgery he had, so every ride with him is special. The procedure he had was pretty advanced, and it was so successful for him. With my young mare, I’d love to take her to the Young Horse Finals and continue bringing her along this season.

WEC: As a working amateur balancing a career and high-level competition, what message do you hope people take away from your story?

I think it’s really important for people to see that it is possible to work and ride. A lot of people think they can’t do both, but you can, it just takes hard work! This was actually my dream. I always imagined having a booth at a horse show with a whiteboard on the door that said something like, ‘Showing in the Grand Prix, see you at 4:00.’

Now I’m literally doing that. I’ll write on my board, ‘See you after the Futures Prix,’ and then I go treat patients afterward. If even a small part of this story inspires another amateur to believe they can work and compete at the same time, that would mean a lot. I am really grateful that WEC has created a space that makes this possible.

Thank you, Evie, for taking the time to speak with us! We wish you continued success in and out of the show ring!