About
The Start
As a child I knew that I wanted to have a career in horses. Dreams started at being a jockey, then went to breeding, bounced around the eventing and dressage worlds, then finally settled in hunter/jumpers.
I began riding out in our pasture at my childhood home. My neighbor had several old Pony Club horses that were the best teachers in the world. I had my first falls, first canters, and first jumping experiences with old Colefax and Starbucks. I also found my first Thoroughbred love in my neighbors QH/TB gelding, Wolf.
As I rode more and more, my parents decided that lessons were in order. I started riding at Single Tree Stables and dabbled in 4-H. There I became the proud owner of an Arabian gelding who became my more important partner in crime and showing success. He taught me how to sit a buck and stay calm during a rear but also the true meaning of a partnership. Later, having moved to Briar Fox Farms and becoming a member of Meadowlark Pony Club, we learned together the joys of running cross country and the pains of having an older Arabian in the dressage ring who had very clear opinions on that particular discipline. USPC taught me everything from using my pony as a jungle gym was probably not the best idea to learning all about nutrition and how to best condition my horse for cross country. Being young and unafraid, I thought Eventing was all that and a bag of chips. It wasn't until several horses, namely a gracefully aged hunter named Mousse, later that I found the allure of the Hunter/Jumper industry and my passion for training.
Path to Teaching
My path to teaching began with Tim and Bonnie Griest, owners of Briar Fox Farms. They showed me the amazing rewards of working with students and helping them learn to ride and find success. I fell in love. I now have over 5 years experience teaching all types of riders and horses in many different disciplines.
I have worked with many trainers throughout the years including Geoff Griest of Briar Fox Farms, Catie Noles out of Oklahoma, and spent a summer riding with Mary Ann Funk of Ashwood Farm. My goal is to provide superior lessons and riding to all who enter my program.
Beginning September 1, 2014, I began offering lessons out of a new barn with a brand new program. Marie Maloney, owner of Capall Baile Stables was generous enough to offer Jaax Equestrian a home. My goal of running a competition oriented program became a reality.
After years of hard work and an amazing team, Jaax Equestrian Center finally came to life with its own facility in Kechi, KS. Opening on November 1st, 2021 we welcome training horses along with new students that are ready to start their showing careers.
The Future Looks Good!
Many changes have shown themselves around Jaax Equestrian with the start of a new facility and a growing program. Price lists have received a grooming to offer the most popular packages and every lesson analyzed to offer the best instruction in the area.
We are now branching out into the Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas City areas for shows while still supporting both of our local circuits, KDEA and KHJA. A busy show season here we come!
With my dream growing every day, I want to thank those in my life who have been there every step of the way. My wonderful parents Susan and Bryan Jaax for helping trailer horses, being a tag along to shows, being the BEST SHOW MOM EVER, helping with jump building, arena construction, trailer fixing, and everything else that I am forgetting. My sister Molly, who is always willing to hop on a horse for me whenever I ask. Lastly, the awesome parents of Jaax Equestrian who are always willing to help with whatever needs to be done. Michael Marlowe, who is the best carpenter of jumps, is responsible for our jumps and fillers. I could not do any of this without all of you. With your help and continued support I see the program growing to great successes!
Liz Jaax
A Brief Look at the Trainer...
Liz has been riding horses since she was five years old. Her showing career started in the 4-H arena where she competed in both English and Western disciplines. At fourteen, Liz found her passion for the jumping world. Until 2010, Liz was a member of the United States Pony Club, learning safety and the basics of teaching. As a rider, she has earned two Grand Champion awards and two Reserve Champion awards within the Kansas Hunter Jumper Association from 2008- 2010. Soon after, she decided to take a break from competition to better focus on her teaching and training of young riders and horses. Specializing in the training of young horses, Liz has turned backyard ponies into champion jumpers and given off the track Thoroughbreds new careers. With experience in the hunter/jumper, eventing, dressage, and beginning western disciplines, Liz is versatile as an instructor and a trainer. She has trained with USEF Dressage judge, Bonnie Griest, former show jumping rider, Geoffrey Griest, hunter/jumper Catie Noles, and A circuit trainer Mary Ann Funk of Ashwood Farm. During her time doing her own teaching, Liz often takes riders to show on the local hunter/jumper and A rated circuits, teaching understanding of the horse, determination in the saddle, and safety in a rider’s position.