Getting to know our MQHA Show Management Team: Christian Jauntig
WHAT IS YOUR NAME? Christian Jauntig
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE WITHIN SHOW MANAGEMENT FOR MQHA? I serve as Show Manager and Announcer for the MQHA Shows.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM? I am from New City, NY which is about 40 mins from NYC.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY- I have a large family and we are very fortunate that we all live so close to each other.
WHAT GOT YOU INVOLVED IN HORSES AND FOR HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED? I have been involved with horses since I was about 7 years old. My Grandfather was an accountant and had to take annual trips for work which we always made into a family trip. One year we went to Jackson Hole, WY where we went on a family trail ride… I was hooked. When we got back home, my dad found a barn close by and I started taking lessons.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLASS TO SHOW IN OR WATCH? My favorite class to show in was always the Trail. I always enjoyed the challenge of learning a new pattern and finding the right spot. Favorite class to watch is probably the Trail or Western Riding.
DESCRIBE YOUR BEST HORSE SHOW MEMORY- So many of my memories are horse show memories it’s hard to choose. Being constantly surrounded by friends always makes for good memories. I would have to say my best horse show memory would be somewhat recent – Maple Leaf 2022 where I ran the first show under Topline Event Management. The support from MQHA and having a great team with me made for a great show!
WHAT ENERGIZES YOU AND DRAINS YOU AT HORSE SHOWS? I am the most energized when I am surrounded by exhibitors who are having a positive experience and enjoying their time. Very fortunate to also have a great team so that helps keep me energized as well. Spending so much time together can make it difficult but we all do a great job of helping each other out and keeping the mood light! What drains me would be the super long days – we try not to have those too often!
WHO IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE HORSE? The first horse I ever owned – Jacks Gold Bonanza “Vegas”. He is a Palomino Gelding who definitely had his quirks, but he taught me so much! I remember riding in the arena at the barn 50 times and on the 51st he would spook at the tree that’s been there forever. Definitely kept me on my toes. Vegas moved on to give lessons, which was so cool because I was able to use him as a lesson horse myself. He is now happily retired!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT MQHA? I love the environment and atmosphere at the MQHA shows and events! Everyone is focused on having a good time while achieving their goals. It’s so rewarding to watch everyone throughout the year working towards those goals and cheering each other on!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT AT A HORSE SHOW? It is very rare that I am not at a horse show. On those occasions that I am not, I like to spend time with my family. I also enjoy vacationing on the beach or to Disney!
WHAT IS YOUR REAL JOB, OUTSIDE OF SHOW MANAGEMENT FOR MQHA? Show Management is my real job and I love it!!!! I am so thankful to be able to do what I love every day.
ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Definitely a night owl. Mornings are fine (with Coffee in hand). But when given the opportunity I would sleep in and stay up late 😊
DO YOU USUALLY ARRIVE EARLY OR LATE? I try to always be early. Definitely have been late for things before, but that’s not the goal.
ON FRIDAY NIGHT…WOULD YOU RATHER GO OUT OR STAY IN? I always enjoy a good night out with friends. But that can be in or out!
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I have always said I would like to fly!
WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS FOR TURNING A BAD DAY INTO A GOOD ONE? Taking a couple minutes to clear my head and find something to laugh about. Then I go back and try to improve on whatever I can.
IF YOU WERE TO WRITE A MEMOIR ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD YOU TITLE IT? Lol I have no idea, but a memoir title should be a direct reflection so something like “Why did I say yes to that?”
TELL A FACT THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I love Disney World and have been there more than 10 times!
SHARE THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE ANYONE HAS EVER GIVEN YOU- “Sometimes you learn a lot more by sitting down and shutting up. You don’t always have to be the loudest person in the room.” Although that’s a hard one for me to grasp (imagine that) it is something I continue to improve on.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? I always wanted to be a teacher. There was no arguing with me… that’s what I was going to be. I still have days where I think about doing that. But I am very happy where I am at.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HIDDEN TALENTS? I don’t think so – is anything about me hidden?
NAME ONE THING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? I want to spend time traveling to different countries/places. Italy has always been a place I want to go!
LAST MOVIE YOU SAW? Top Gun – Maverick
LAST BOOK YOU READ? Verity by Colleen Hover
FAVORITE SERIES YOU BINGE WATCHED? I have binge watched a lot of shows and do not regret any of them. But I always love a good episode of SVU, Greys Anatomy, Criminal Minds and the Gilmore Girls. I have probably watched those start to finish 3 times each. Gilmore Girls my little cousins and I would watch on Thursday nights when I would go over for dinner, and it always was such a feel good time!
WOULD YOU EVER GO ON A REALITY SHOW? IF SO, WHICH ONE? I have said for years that we need a Reality Show of the Horse Show industry! We could all be on it!
FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? I’m not a huge sports person. So, I typically don’t watch. But I do always enjoy going to an actual game! Bonus points for a good tail gate!
FAVORITE TEAM? My family has always loved Notre Dame Football – so I must go with that! Growing up my Grandfather tried VERY hard to convince each of the Grandkids to go to ND. Well, my Cousin is graduating there this year…. any guesses who the favorite is now?
FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Depends on where I am. But since this is the MQHA spotlight – I would have to say Annie Gunns!
FAVORITE FOOD? Italian! I love some extra carbs 😊
FAVORITE QUOTE? There are so many quotes that I think to all the time during different situations… Three of them that I recall most often
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them” – Maya Angelou
“In any situation, the best thing you can do is the right thing: the next best thing you can do is the wrong thing: the worst thing you can do is nothing.” – Theodore Roosevelt
“Be so good they can’t ignore you.” – Steve Martin
ANYTHING ADDITIONAL YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? I would like to thank MQHA for having myself and Topline manage their shows. It is enjoyable every time! Always look forward to an MQHA Show!
