By Chelsea Johnson
As featured in the Winter 2025 issue of Arabian Horse World
The four cornerstones of Jesse Chase’s training program are hard work, determination, perseverance, and a touch of fun. Achieving success as a horse trainer requires dedication and a deep passion for the craft, and Jesse Chase embodies both qualities.
Jesse grew up in Vermont, immersed in the world of horses through his participation in 4-H, leading guided trail rides, and taking Dressage lessons as a child. His early experience included owning a Half-Arabian Paint Horse named Elkorad Hasan, yet he initially had no particular interest in Arabians. At around the age of 15, Jesse heard someone describe reining horses and their impressive maneuvers, such as sliding stops, spins, and circles. At that moment, he realized he wanted to become a reining trainer one day.
A few years later, in 1995, Jesse began his journey to becoming the best reining trainer he could be. He trained under the renowned Bob Anthony, an AQHA and NRHA Hall of Famer, starting with Quarter Horses. It wasn’t until he moved to Wendell, North Carolina, to establish his own business, Jesse Chase Performance Horses, that he was reintroduced to the Arabian breed in 2003.
To fund his dream, Jesse worked at UPS in the mornings and served at a restaurant in the evenings. Between these jobs, he focused on building his farm and training program. The first Arabian horse he acquired for training was MC Justa Promotion (by Promotion out of Justi Angle), owned by James and Sue Meyer. Sue would rescue racehorses off the track, and Jesse would retrain them as reining horses. One of these horses was Move It On Over (by Haffir El Rimal out of SS Nellie Bly), who notably placed second to the legendary TA Mozart at the Scottsdale Reining Futurity in 2010.
In 2016, Jesse achieved a significant milestone by winning his first US National title on Inn The Fast Lane +/, a half-sibling to Move It On Over (by Kaolino out of SS Nellie Bly), in the Purebred Intermediate Reining Open.
Jesse felt excited about the opportunity as he prepared for the 2024 US Nationals. He had a strong group of horses on his roster. Still, he also recognized that competition was becoming increasingly fierce each year, with many variables to navigate to perform at the highest level. He proudly recalled that 2023 was a remarkable year for him, as he returned home with nine sets of roses.
However, 2024 was an even more impressive show for Jesse and his clients. They came home with eight National Championships, three Reserve Championships, and seventeen Top Ten finishes. Perhaps the most remarkable achievement was that every single horse he brought to the show returned home with at least one National Championship.
Jesse Chase and Zee Kahili+++//.
Jesse’s most memorable win at the 2024 US National Championships was in the Arabian Ranch Rail class with his horse, Zee Kahili+++// (Mexicali Mac V x Zeez Kopy Kat), bred by Miller Arabians. He won this class in 2022 but missed the roses in 2023, so he was relieved to show that his 2022 victory was not just lucky. He mentioned that Brett Becker was the Reserve National Champion with his horse, Khredential+. Brett smiled as he accepted his roses for his win. When Jesse and Zee Kahili were announced as National Champions, Jesse saw an even bigger smile on Brett’s face, filled with happiness and pride for his friend. They shared an awkward high-five before both stallions got startled and spooked away from each other.
The win Jesse enjoyed the most was with Step The Buck Back in the Half-Arabian Herd Work Futurity. He shared that this horse was only three years old and competed against four-, five-, and six-year-olds. Jesse noted that Step The Buck Back effortlessly controlled the cows with remarkable poise for a young horse. Before the show, Jesse sought guidance from Tracy Barton, a multi-million dollar cutting horse rider. He expressed his gratitude for Barton’s brutal honesty and support in helping him refine his skills before heading to the year’s biggest event.
National Champion Step The Buck Back. Owned by Pamela Harris.
National Champion Baikals Platinum. Owned by Robin Hardy.
The most surprising win to Jesse of the 2024 US National Championships was his victory with Baikals Platinum in both the Junior Reining and Futurity Reining classes. Just before this year’s US Nationals, Jesse sold Edyta P+, the horse he had initially planned to compete with, to a client of his good friend Colby Powell. Aware that he would compete against this exceptional filly, Jesse dedicated himself to preparing the more inexperienced horse, Baikals Platinum. Jesse described his performance as solid and expressed his excitement at winning against the strong team of Edyta and Colby, who ultimately earned the Reserve National Championship. Jesse smiled and remarked, “Colby gave us just enough room to squeak out a win. It was thrilling to compete against that team, and it made me emotional to share the winner’s circle with them.”
Jesse shares that Heredero De Fuego (Saxton DGL x BR Mydestiny) has won the Purebred Herd Work Futurity for three consecutive years. He notes that this horse is as honest and solid as they come, having earned every set of roses he has received. Jesse also praised his amateur rider, Martha Flow, who was the National Champion Purebred Reining AATR Rookie on Oasis Sheza Rich Girl +/ (Romanek x Zee Last Fire). This was Martha’s first year showing, and her dedication to improvement truly paid off! Martha and her mare participated in NRHA shows this year for additional practice, and everything came together perfectly at the right horse show.
National Champion Heredero De Fuego. Owned by Rachel Flow.
National Champion Oasis Sheza Rich Girl and owner/rider Martha Flow.
Jesse Chase is devoted to his craft, customers, and horses. When looking to the next show season, he focuses on the quality of horses he puts out into the show arenas and the growth of his horses and riders. He is equally as excited to show off Zee Kahili’s first foal crop to come through his program and enthusiastic about embarking on the 2025 show season, determined to elevate his goals even further.
