Wilmington, Ohio – This week’s Wilmington Sunday Spotlight shines on Amy Krebs. The junior rider of Franklin, Tennessee, has been a fierce competitor in the open jumper classes at WEC – Wilmington since the 2023 season with her own Jabantos, and claimed her first career grand prix win at Winter Classic 5. The 16-year-old is a force to be reckoned with and has gained the attention of her professional peers in and out of the ring. We caught up with the hard-working young rider to learn more about her string of horses and her recent successes at Indoors.
WEC: How did you get started riding?
Me and my three older brothers started riding when we were little, and I’m very competitive. I wanted to stick with it from the moment I started. I got my first pony and then all my brothers quit riding, so then I started riding their ponies.
I have been riding for about 13 years. I started at a small barn in Franklin and then I moved to the barn where Michelle [Zimmer] was. We relocated and we stayed with her. I’ve been with her for almost 11 years now, so we know each other very well.
WEC: How do you manage school and riding?
I do online school with Laurel Springs, so I’ve been at the show since Monday, and I helped set up. I’m at the barn around 6:30 in the morning, and I’m here pretty late every night. I am able to do most of my school work right before I come to the horse shows, so it is flexible and easy for me to stay on track when I am riding and showing.
WEC: Tell us about your operation behind-the-scenes.
I keep my horses at my house. We have nine horses there right now and we’re expanding to have about 20. It’s a lot of work! I clean their stalls with my dad, and we do the barn work. We’re very hands on. My parents are both into the industry too! I do my own grooming at the shows, I’m a little OCD, so I’m picky about some stuff. I like to give them my own baths and make sure that everything’s organized.
WEC: Tell us about your current string of horses.
I have four horses. I’m so happy and so thankful for all of them and the opportunities they’ve given me. It is my fourth year with my gray horse Elijah [Jabantos]. So, we know each other very well. He is kind of like my steady eddy. I can be the first one in the ring and know exactly what to expect. I mean, we know each other inside and out. I know all his buttons and everything. He’s turning 10 this year.
Ike is turning 11 this year. He’s done some 1.45m classes. I’m still trying to figure him out completely, we imported him from Europe about five months ago and I hadn’t gotten to sit on him. Thursday was the first day where I pushed him and opened him up. I feel like we’ve jumped a lot of big jumps at home, but we are just starting to feel more comfortable with each other. He’s going to be another one of my grand prix horses.
I have a six-year-old, Mocca, and he turns seven this year. He is going to be super special. He’s still a little green and I’m still a little green with the babies, but he’s going to be really special. And then I have a four-year-old, who Miguel [Ventura] has been showing this week. I’m not quite sure if he’s going to be a jumper or a hunter!
WEC: Tell us about your successful Indoors season in 2023.
Right before young riders, my mom and I decided to enter for Prix Des States, because I saw that I was in the rankings, and I would probably be able to go. I did that and that went really well and I’m very happy with how it turned out. They were some of the biggest tracks we had jumped, and Elijah handled it really well. He’s so calm minded and has such a huge heart that I feel confident going into a small ring like that with all that pressure. We just trust each other, and it makes it so much easier. We dropped back down into the 1.30m at WIHS, because we knew we were going to go back and do the High Junior Jumpers at the National Horse Show.
The transition was a little bit challenging, and then he won the classic on Sunday and finished reserve! Then we went to the National and we did the High Jr/Aos put in some good rounds. Those were some of the biggest courses, and most technical, that we have ever been faced with. He handled it all so well.
WEC: How has WEC been beneficial for you in your development as a rider?
I’m always looking forward to coming back here. It’s such a nice facility, especially during the winter when it’s snowing outside, and you would never know when you’re in here. I really like bringing my young ones here, because the atmosphere is always the same. It can be a little bit loud and it’s a lot for the young ones, but there’s a lot of smaller classes that they can get into. I brought my six-year-old here last year, and we started in the .70m class. By the end, I was able to do the 1.15. Being able to come in here every night really helps.
I think there’s a lot of options here, especially with the Futures Prix to get used to the pressure and being able to compete against the professionals. That’s something that I’ve gotten used to. I know I am up against some pretty speedy competition, but I’m always really excited to jump in those bigger classes. I’m starting to enjoy the pressure and everybody watching. I like to rise to the challenge.
Thank you, Amy, for taking the time to speak with us! We wish you continued good luck in your riding journey and look forward to seeing you back in the Sanctuary!