Grace Wongchaiwat and ‘Jimmy’ Have Enjoyed Success In the World of Show Jumping
What started off as an innocent day trip for San Marino High School freshman Grace Wongchaiwat quickly developed into a lifelong passion when her parents took Grace – then a 3-year-old – to Griffith Park to ride the ponies.
“From that day I began reading horse books, collecting equine figurines and watching documentaries on horses,” said Grace.
The Titan junior varsity cheerleader began competing at the age of 9 in small jumping classes and won a few ribbons for her height division.
“I knew riding was my greatest joy and passion since I was about six when I’d spend my entire summers helping out around the barn,” Grace said.
Her parents, Pim Pennapa and Nat Wongchaiwat, immediately invested in their daughter’s hobby. Grace enjoyed the company of four ponies and horses before she was given ‘Jimmy,’ a Welsh/Hanoverian Cross from Canada, for her 11th birthday.
“Jimmy was truly the horse that fueled my spark to ride and get back on every time I fell off,” she said. “It started off as us being inexperienced horse and inexperienced rider. I’d get bucked off once or twice nearly every lesson, but we learned and grew together. Jimmy taught me that the bond between humans and animals can be stronger than bonds amongst humans and humans.”
Grace and Jimmy have competed in several jumping events and hunter shows. Grace represented Huntington Middle School in the Interscholastic Equestrian League, a nonprofit, hunter-jumper and dressage circuit for middle and high school students. Last December, Grace and Jimmy finished third out of a field of 30 in the Handy Hunters division.
But alas, all good things come to an end and Grace has since outgrown Jimmy, who is just a pony.
“Today, I am proud to say that Jimmy has a new little girl to take care of and teach, although it may be just for a few months,” said Grace, whose little brother, Nathan Suthayaborn, is a Carver Elementary School fourth grader. “I loved taking Jimmy on trail walks and grazing when I could and I miss him very much. Due to an increase of school work and starting high school, my riding career has been postponed until the end of his lease next March when I will be riding again and hopefully getting a new, bigger horse soon. I’m lucky to have highly supportive parents who have helped me with my horse riding journey, whether it being paying for all the expenses or not getting mad when I fall off in the middle of a jumping course at a show. My parents have been my biggest fans and support me even when I don’t win.”
