INTERVIEW  by Samantha Mattochs

Janine McGregor may be a familiar face in the show-ring but how much do people really know about her? She has been involved in horses for all of her 21 years.
Janine has completed this interview for The Arabian Magazine explaining how Arabian horses have always been – and always will be – a part of her life. 

How long have you been involved in the Arabian horse breed?

Throughout my life, my parents – Andrew McGregor, or Mac as everyone knows him, and Christine Lewthwaite – have always had horses and these included at least one or two Arabians among the other breeds. They had a mix of breeds until I was around seven years old and then they slowly started to sell the other horses and concentrated instead on buying more Arabians to breed and show. Some of the first Arabians they bought included the grey filly, Strinesdale Sensation (by Esperanzo) and then we bought her dam, Sonic Saint (Mazari Ibn Melchoir x Kali). We also bought an Al Maurab filly, Nadeena Gold, and a White Lightning son, Lightnings Magic Shadow. There were others as well but these were the main ones.

How old were you when you started to handle the horses?

I have always handled them from when I was a little girl. I even had my first pony when I was a year old, a Shetland called Benjy. I would ride and groom him and I was always involved with the other horses, especially the foals in the summer when they were in the fields. When I was old enough, I would go with my dad on his sulky while he was training his trotting horses. I was given my first Arabian when I was nine years old. She was a Nasral daughter, Crystal Gale, and I went on to ride her and lightly show her.

How old were you when you first went in the show-ring?

From the age of five, I showed Benjy, my Shetland, at a different pony club every Sunday in the child handlers class – and I won numerous trophies over the years. When I got my first Arab, I showed her at Birchenly Manor for the North West Group C Show: I think I was 10 years old and we were third in the veteran mare class. I was pleased very with her result, especially as it was my first time at a proper Arabian horse show.

Have you ever wanted to do anything other than work with horses?

I haven’t ever really wanted to do anything other than work with horses: all through school, I never planned to go to college and at 16, I started work at Aja Arabians for Malcolm and Jane Hickford. My parents knew Malcolm and Jane before Aja Arabians was formed and, when I left school, I went to Aja to learn from Mario Gallagher, who was Aja’s resident trainer at that time. As it turned out, I was invited to work at the stud full time and I stayed there for 2½ years. I already knew Mark from the showing circuit and he then came to work for Aja in the winter of 2002.

Mark and I both worked at Aja until 2003 when we went across to America to help Michael Byatt with the 2003 US Nationals, held in Alberqerque. We spent a month there and we both learnt so much working with Michael and his team.

As for working with horses for the foreseeable future? I can’t see myself ever doing anything different.

I have taken horses for Samantha Beeley who has two horses with us at present: Prince Psyche (Psyches First Edition R x Bint Shatera R), a grey two-year-old colt who has had numerous class wins and championship titles, and his sire, Psyches First Edition R (Psyches Image R x CAS Elibur), a five-year-old white stallion. We also have ZK Vychinskjy (Vodolej** x Eternal R), a bay, yearling colt owned by Sally Etchells, and a chestnut yearling filly, Nightfire Pashionata (Psyches Image R x JMA Farrida) for Dean Greenwood.

How many horses do you yourself own?

I own two Arabians: a bay, homebred filly, LA Amber Jewel (Aja Ben Nazif x Taamira) and an orphan colt foal by Imahni who goes by the name of Spider. I recently lost his dam, Taamira (SES Pashas Mirat x Tamerim) as she prolapsed after she foaled Spider. I also own a share in the mare Kar Zumba (C H el Brillo  x Kar Zarzamora ) as well as in the filly foal, Hyleah el Javier (Javier el Jamaal x Hyleah el Bri). Both of these horses are co-owned with my parents.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

I feel very privileged that I was a part of the Michael Byatt’s team when he became the first handler to ever take all four halter championships at the US Nationals. Another strong memory I have is showing my parents homebred colt, LA Exdream (Eternal Dream x Secret Melody) at the first Classic show in 2001: together, we won the yearling colt class and went on to take the Junior Male Championship. That same year, we were Reserve Junior Male Champion at the Northern Group C Show.

What, if anything, would have done differently?

I don’t think that I would have done or would do anything differently. I enjoy every aspect of the Arabian breed: the training, the breeding, the conditioning and the showing. It keeps me busy all year long.

What advice would you give to youngsters today who are hoping to become a professional handler?

I would tell them to have patience and perseverance. Work hard and your rewards will be great. You must have a passion for the Arabian breed – and never give up, no matter how many knock backs you may encounter.

Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions relating to Arabian horses?

I would like to carry on living the dream that I have always had of being a professional handler. I would also like to do more showing in Europe , hopefully with great success!

Anyone you’d like to thank?

I would like to thank my parents for giving me the chance to be involved with the wonderful world of Arabian horses. I would also like to thank Michael Byatt and Robert Cass for their advice and the opportunities they gave me to further enhance my knowledge about this amazing breed. Finally, I have to thank the horses themselves, especially the ones that I have had the pleasure to work with and own.

 On the spot

·         Favourite horse in your yard: I really can't pick just one – they are all special

·         Favourite horse on the showing circuit: Marwan al Shaqab*. He hasn’t been seen in     Europe for a couple of years but I have seen him recently in United States
and I just think that he is awesome

·         Favourite colour: Purple

·         Favourite drink: Vodka and coke

·         Best way to relax away from horses: On a beach

·         Top pin-up: Jesse Metcalfe

·         At a show, most likely to be found where? In the show-ring or at the stables preparing to go into the ring.

·         Favourite show: Aachen.