FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES MARCH 2014 127
Together, Kris and JJ were fourth in the country two years in
a row in regular working hunters and JJ was Horse of the Year in
Colorado three times in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
At one point, Kris was even offered $50,000 for JJ – but
needless to say he wasn’t for sale. “I did have some interest
from people in buying him because he really was a nice horse,
but by then I just couldn’t bear thinking of anyone else having
him. I thought for $600 this horse doesn’t owe anybody anything.
I would just hate to hear that he was sold somewhere and
somebody didn’t do right by him, so my mom and I made the
executive decision that he was not for sale.”
Eventually, Kris decided to give him a break from jumping the
bigger courses and leased him to a junior rider. Unfortunately,
during that time, he colicked. Although the surgery went fine, he
injured his knee getting up from the anesthesia. Now, he’s retired
for good and enjoying life in Kris’ backyard.
Kris continues to enjoy life as a rider, trainer and judge. While
her string mostly consists of Warmbloods, she says she loves
Thoroughbreds. But perhaps Mr. Perfect (aka JJ) set the bar too
high. “Every time I see a Thoroughbred I say, ‘Well, I hope it’s
JJ.’ It never is. He probably ruined it for me honestly,” she jokes.
Bini continues her work as a superhero for all things equine.
Kris says her mom has always been the go-to for horses in need.
Bini has been rescuing and rehoming horses since she was
practically a baby. “People would call my mom with a horse on its
last leg and she would swoop in and the horse would live another
30 years at her house,” Kris laughed.
Bini doesn’t plan on putting away her superhero cape anytime
soon.
JJ when Bini brought him home -
underweight and on his last legs.
Photo By Bini Abbott
