Jesse Henry Zeldenthuis wins 2026 Robyn Hanna Sportsmanship Award

By Jessica Hein, PHJ News:

Sometimes the horse show goes in your favor, and sometimes it doesn’t—especially when young horses are involved. When Jesse Henry Zeldenthuis’s yearling futurity project All Reddy Ez accidently stepped over her longe line and started bucking to get herself free, Jesse couldn’t do much more than watch.

“She got the rope between her legs: she spooked, she ran, she was scared. There was nothing more I could have done, so I [caught her], took a bow and went back to the rail,” Jesse laughed. The equestrienne from Loma, Colorado, spent the rest of the 2026 APHA World Show class petting and reassuring the 2025 brown overo mare, and shaking her head at the unfortunate turn of events with a smile on her face.

Thanks to the grace and poise displayed in midst of a challenging situation that could rock even the most seasoned showman, Jesse was nominated for the Robyn Hanna Sportsmanship Award. The award is presented at the World Show to an AjPHA member who demonstrates exceptional sportsmanship, including kindness, integrity and unwavering support for fellow competitors. Jesse was recognized in a surprise ceremony on June 24, where she received a Gist Silversmiths trophy buckle and $1,000 scholarship in appreciation of the sportsmanship she displayed throughout the World Show.

The recognition caught Jesse off guard.

“I had no idea about this award,” she said. “It’s only my second year doing [the youth futurity project]. My baby is absolutely amazing and does her very best not to do anything wrong.”

A Bond Forged

Jesse helped foal “Eden” and has done all of the mare’s training herself.

“My parents were gone when their mare started foaling; the stall cleaner and I foaled her out by ourselves. Ever since then, I’ve done every ounce of training with her, from halter-breaking to leading to desensitization.

It means quite a lot to me to have this bond with Eden. I’ve raised her from the ground up, and I feel so lucky to have such a happy, broke horse. I really couldn’t ask for more.”

For Jesse, sportsmanship is about supporting others, even when things don’t go your way.

“With having trainer parents—Brian [Henry] and John [Zeldenthuis]—I’ve learned that sportsmanship is one of the only things you can handle. If you are good to your horse and the people around you, they’ll in turn be good to you.

“I consider horses to be a partnership project, like in school, except your partner doesn’t speak your language. They’re bigger and stronger than you and have their own minds. I think having sportsmanship is one of the best things a person can do.”

Jesse is a member of Team USA and will represent the U.S. at APHA’s Youth World Games competition in Germany this August.

“It will be my first time overseas, and I’m so happy to have the team that I have, with Colton, Marley and Angel,” Jesse said. “I’m looking forward to supporting my team.”

No matter what happens at the Youth World Games or beyond, Jesse will focus on controlling what she can and keeping a smile on her face either way.

“There will be times when you feel like your horse is against you. They’re not; they’re just confused or scared. They might act naughty, but what’s important is how you work through that,” she said.