MQHA Member Spotlight: Sarah Kozuszek
Name: Sarah Kozuszek
Where are you from? Scheller, IL
How long have you been showing horses? 8 years
What is your favorite horse show? I like all of them. I really enjoy the Southern Illinois Equine Group open shows.
Tell us about your family. My dad is a retired IDOT worker, and also row crop farms on our family farm. My mom is a registered nurse. My older brother farms and sells farm equipment. My younger sister is a sophomore in high school and shows with me at open shows. We’re all very involved in our church and agriculture. I’m the only one in my family on both sides that has horses. The last time my family had horses was for farming back in the day. My grandpa Kozuszek had the best pulling horses in Washington county, Illinois. He later traded them for International Harvester tractors in the early to mid-1900’s. My boyfriend is also involved in agriculture and is a dairy farmer and an artificial insemination technician for Select Sires.
How did you get hooked on horses? I think you either have the horse bug or you don’t. My neighbor had horses when I was younger, and it uncovered my passion for riding. I’m thankful my parents gave in and bought me a pony when I was young.
What is it about horses that makes you want to work with them and compete? I think they’re beautiful and overall smart creatures. They help me forget about the stresses of everyday life, whether I’m cleaning stalls or just riding around. I definitely need my barn therapy some days. It amazes me how much you can do with horses, especially the all-around ones. I also love watching the cutting and cow work.
What would you tell your younger self (in relation to showing)? Go to all the clinics, seminars, and try different disciplines. Find the world show videos where the judge does a voice over on what they’re looking for and study it. Tag along to shows or as extra help even if you’re not showing to learn more on how things go.
What horse(s) and event(s) are you currently showing? My mare Suddenly Sleepy, or Belle. We do the walk trot horsemanship, pleasure, HUS, and equitation. We recently added walk trot trail and showmanship to our list as well.
What are your goals? I would like to show the W/T all-around at the Level 1 Championships next year. I would also like to work up to the loping classes in the next couple years and show in the all-around classes in that as well. I would like to work up to the AQHA world show and Congress in the future.
Who do you look up to in the industry? My friends and former coaches Ariel Higgins, Andrea Rego, Jenna Seal, and Lucas Brock. They have shaped me into the rider I am today. They saw potential in me and helped me work from the bottom up. I’m thankful for the time they put into me. Ariel, Andrea, and Luke have made riders into national champions while also showing themselves with AQHA and the American Stock Horse Association. Jenna helped show me the ropes in undergrad when it came to the horse world and she’s running a successful horse training business in Texas and adding to her 20+ world title list that she has going.
Do you have any superstitions when you show? No.
Who is your all-time favorite horse? And why? My mare Belle that I have now. She’s my once in a lifetime horse. I can do about anything with her, from western to English to ranch to even boxing cattle. She’s got a great personality and she’s a lifer with me.
If you are not at a horse show, what would we find you doing? Spending time with my family and boyfriend around the farm, helping lead my church’s Catholic Young Adult group, helping with Catholic young adult events in the southern Illinois diocese.
Do you have another job…besides taking care of your horses? My title is Health and Animal Care Associate at The Maschhoff’s, a local swine production company spanning 5 states. I conduct animal care audits in southern Illinois and Missouri. I do veterinary technician work with pigs and audit our company truck washes for livestock trailer cleanliness. I am also a production manager for a 5,000 pig site. It’s never a dull moment at work.
What is your favorite thing about MQHA? Everyone has been very nice and welcoming. I enjoyed the grill and chill at the gateway show.
What is your favorite hobby besides showing horses? If evangelizing was a hobby, it would be mine. I enjoy talking about Jesus and my faith. I organize events for my diocese called Bibles and Brews to bring young adults together to talk about their faith at a bar or over drinks with a priest or religious leader.
What is your favorite food? That’s a tough one. I could eat BBQ every day of the week. Also, chocolate ice cream.
What is your favorite restaurant? I have too many. I have favorite ones for each category of food too. I love Peel and Hopskeller for wood fire pizza, Alongi’s in Duquoin IL and Girolamos in Nashville IL for Italian food, The Goat in Murfreesboro TN for bar food, The White House in Dubois, IL and Jim and Nicks for BBQ. The White House has the best ribs I’ve ever had.
What is your favorite movie? I don’t have one. I haven’t seen a lot of popular movies.
What is your favorite quote? I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
What is your dream vacation? Touring Europe. I would love to tour all of Italy, Germany, Poland, Austria, Switzerland.
What are you terrible at but love to do anyway? I’m terrible at pretty much anything sports related. But I like to participate at family and church functions with kickball, baseball, and volleyball.
What is one thing on your bucket list? To show at a world level.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you? My family tractor pulls with the Illinois Tractor Pulling Association with a pro stock 1466 and 2 Farmall Ms. I try to go watch when I can.
One piece of advice you would like to share with exhibitors who are just getting started? Never stop learning and be open to feedback.
