Jessi Chrapko becomes Canada's youngest Triple Certified Gold Equine Trainer

Cassie Hadford and Jessi Chrapko high five at a show
Photos contributed by Sandy Chrapko

Toni Lucas

Jessi Chrapko was raised one mile west of Pincher Creek on the SSS Morgans Ranch.  22 years old, she's currently at the University of Lethbridge taking courses in Management and Political Science, and she has recently become the youngest Triple Certified Gold Equine Trainer internationally.  "I was put on a horse when I was three years old.  When I was 7, I got my own horse and took off from there," said Chrapko.  "I joined 4-H when I was 9 and got into the showing aspect more that way.  I loved it and tried everything I could possibly try.  My parents were awesome and let me try everything they (horses) are my passion.  I just got all those credentials last fall it is very exciting."

She said that getting those credentials was difficult.  "You have to shadow-judge a lot, and that's pretty difficult because you have to find judges with senior status in different disciplines."

Jessi Chrapko and International Horse Trainer/Clinician Chris Irwin 

She steered toward becoming a general performance judge  "Because it encompasses pretty much any discipline.  like Western, English, Jumping, Reining, honestly a little bit of everything.  You try and find judges that are specialized in those areas so you get a good understanding yourself.  You have to do quite a few of those shows, and then also judge some on your own and have the show committees evaluate how you did."  There are also workshops and exams for those that want to go forward with judging.  "It's kind of a lengthy procedure.

Working Cow Horse

"I hope to encourage younger kids to stay in the horse industry, and hopefully enjoy it as much as I do, and share what knowledge I have gained with others."  "You always keep learning."

Chrapko and Cherokee in Trail competition

She has been asked to be a judge at the Canadian Cowboy Challenge held in Red Deer  on April 26.  "It's one of the biggest horse expos in southern Alberta, so that's really exciting."

Judging Western Pleasure

• Triple Certified Gold  Equine  Trainer ( ground work, horsemanship and carriage driving) with International Trainer/clinician  Chris Irwin ( youngest triple certified gold  trainer) )
• Equine Canada Instructor in both English & Western ( was a certified instructor at 16 years old)
• Certified General Performance Judge  With both Equine Canada and Alberta Equestrian Federation ( one of if not the youngest)
• Certified Judge-Canadian Cowboy Challenge (youngest)
• Competes very successfully in Western, English Pleasure, Dressage, Trail, & Extreme Obstacle , Working Cow Horse,  Rodeo Grand Entry, Ranch Horse
• Rode with the Calgary Stampede Showriders
• Director with Alberta Equestrian Federation
•  All levels of 4-H Equine+ completed 4-H Vet Program – received platinum award