JIMMIE PAUL/TENLIGHT Memorial Open for Two Rein

Three generations of the Paul Legacy... Jimmie’s son, Lane Paul, Jimmie Paul, and Jim Paul, Sr.

A Little About Jimmie Paul’s Life

Jimmie L. Paul was born Sept. 10, 1957 in Sacramento, Calif., the oldest son of Jim Paul Sr. and Betty Collier. Jimmie’s younger brothers are Randy and John. Born into the horse business, Jimmie was influenced by his exceptionally talented NRCHA Hall of Fame father Jim Paul, Sr. Along with brother Randy and NRCHA Hall of Fame stepmom, Dema Paul,the Pauls know how to make and be a champion, and it was the way of life Jimmie so loved. Jimmie has three children: Jamie, Lane and Lex, and one grandchild. His son, Lane, is continuing in the family horse business, currently working in Arizona.

Growing up in Arizona, Jimmie played football in high school but with his horsemanship skills, he went on to apprentice with another NRCHA Hall of Famer, Don Dodge. As his career was taking off, Jimmie had some serious health issues which nearly cost him his life, and over the years he required both a liver and kidney transplants, the latter being donated by his brother Randy. As soon as he was physically able, Jimmie was back in the saddle daily training new champions. Jimmie had an incredible work ethic.

As the years progressed, Jimmie Paul was admired and respected by those in the industry. He made and rode champions and his non pros were champions, 13 in all. Among them were: Mandy Somerville, Mike Doud, Laurie Boaz, Deah Hessian, Marilyn Harris, Chantz Stewart and Andi Kiese. When Jimmie’s trailers arrived at a show, people knew they were going to have to ride hard to place, because the Paul Barn’s horses and riders were there to win.

It was not unusual to hear Jimmie saying “That horse needs a new job,” and so horses in training at Jimmie’s barn had many talents, including reining, roping, cutting, cow horse, ranch riding and halter. Jimmie Paul rode a lot of great horses but as he often said, “You are blessed to have one, maybe two, great ones in your life,” and for him, Tenlight, a 2001 sorrel stallion, was one of those horses. Sired by the great Grays Starlight and out Docs Poco Ten, Tenlight not only excelled in cow horse but also team roping, reining and performance halter. Tenlight was purchased by the late Sherri Somerville and is now owned by Amanda Somerville. His show life with Jimmie lasted six exciting years. Competing in everything from the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman, to many other NRCHA and AQHA events, Jimmie and Tenlight were always a threat to all competition.

Among their honors were: NRCHA World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Bridle and Open Hackamore championship titles; 2006 NRCHA Open Two Rein World Champions; 2006 AQHA World Show Jr. Heeling Open Top 10; AQHA World Show Working Cow Horse Open Top 15; 2006 AQHA High Point (3rd place) Open Jr. Working Cow Horse; 2007 AQHA World Show Open Sr. Working Cow Horse, 3rd place; 2008 Open Superior Dally Team Roping, Heeling; 2009 AQHA Reserve World Champion Open Sr. Working Cow Horse (only to be beaten out by his brother, Randy); 2009 AQHA Open High Point Sr. Working Cow Horse, 3rd place; and 2009 AQHA Open High Point Working Cow Horse, 5th place. Tenlight has now gone on to producing a successful crop of offspring.

It has been said Jimmie could make a winner out of nearly every horse he touched, and was known as the “Man with the Velvet Hands.” He was also lovingly known as “The Silent One” by his close friends and clients, for he was a man of few words!

Tragically, Jimmie’s life was cut shortin April of this year due to a fire in his home in Arizona. He is sorely missed by all, and his family and friends have joined together to honor his life with the “Jimmie Paul/ Tenlight Memorial Open Two Rein” at the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity.