A few years back, Scott Jones finally heeded the advice a special woman in his life shared (actually, yelled at) him: “Let go.”

And since he took some time away from the business, he has come back fresher and with a renewed enthusiasm.

But it took a long time and a lot of stress to get there.

Jones grew up on the sprawling Matador Ranch, one of the most historic ranches in Texas, where he rode and competed with horses of many disciplines. His parents, Casey and Deb Jones, kept several different types of horses for Scott to ride and train.

He was educated in the Motley County Independent School District and landed his first training gig, working for Harry Spicer, right after high school.

“I was just a kid who loved going to horse shows and I learned a lot from the job,” he explained.

From there, his career just took off. Over the next few years Jones worked for Mark Shaffer then Nancy Sue Ryan, then Leslie Lange and back to Nancy Sue Ryan’s where he stayed until moving to the East Coast to work for Pierre Briere.

“I learned so much at each place every time,” he said. “So many things I learned I continue to use or have adapted into my training program today. Each place served its purpose for gaining a wide range or knowledge.”

Then in 2006, Jones teamed with David Miller to establish Showstring in Oneco, Connecticut. In 2013, they moved that operation to Boerne, Texas where they trained AQHA contenders and futurity prospects and coached youth and non-pro competitors.

“In 2018, life took David and I in different directions and we closed our doors,” Scott explained. “It’s funny because once long ago when I was 20-something and knew EVERYTHING, a wise, wise woman told me to slow down because I was going to burn myself out.”

Now he understands.

After a much-needed break from training and running up and down the road, he decided recently that he’s not ready to leave the industry just yet.

With modifications to the original business plan, Jones decided to reopen Showstring on his own out of the Corrival Ranch, a beautiful new facility situated on 57 acres running along the Guadalupe River just outside Boerne.

His program focuses on the training only the English horse, focused on AQHA Hunter Under Saddle and futurity events. He also coaches and offers lessons for youth and amateurs and offers a few clinics.

He says his favorite part of the job is “developing young horses and figuring out how to show the older ones.”

Some of the most successful horses he had a hand in training and/or showing include Cowboys R Hot, Congress 3-Year-Old Limited Open Hunter Under Saddle Champion; Just Say The Word, Reserve Congress Champion and two-time Bronze Trophy AQHA World Show in Senior Hunter Under Saddle; Hot N Bothered; Bronze trophy AQHA World Show in Junior Hunter Under Saddle; Assets Agenda, Congress Champion and World and Reserve World Champion in Senior Hunter Under Saddle; The Fire Escape, Reserve Congress Masters Hunter Under Saddle Champion and AQHA World Champion; Couture Blue Genes; Congress Champion in Senior Hunter Under Saddle and AQHA World Champion; Decked In Assets and VS Im Urs N Ur Mine, Congress Champion Level 1 Hunter Under Saddle.

Jones says he’s grateful for all of the success he’s enjoyed so far but he’s probably most proud of his first Congress Championship title which he won in 2010 with Cowboys R Hot, owned by Jay and Kristy Starnes.

“That was a fun Congress,” he said.

This time around, Jones, a member of the AQHA, NSBA and APHA, says his philosophy is much different.

“I’m trying to keep it simple; keep it fun and enjoy each victory, big and small,” he explained. “There’s more to this business than going for the W every time.”

And he says he’s learning to balance his life; go to the gym and take the two-week vacation and try new things with his partner, Nathan Turner.

Jones says his most treasured possession is his collection of bits used on the horses he’s won with over the years.

“I have every one of them.” he admits. “They always take me back to challenges –  the ups and downs, the sleepless nights and the work it took to get to the winner’s circle.

You can reach Scott by calling (940) 224-7572 or emailing him at Scottallenjones4@gmail.com. You can also connect with him at the Showstring Facebook page.