The Maiden 2023

Jalapeno & Joe Lester win the 2023 Maiden for owners Kimberly & Perry Walden

With a record-breaking 64 horses entered; it was Joe Lester aboard Jalapeño taking home the title of 2023 Maiden Champion. Jalapeño (also his barn name) is sired by Jose' Jose' out of the great producing mare Drop Right In. Dr. Kasey Kesselring owns the mare and Joe Lester Stables (JLS) has been part of the foaling and or the young stages of all her babies since Kasey purchased her. Bred to be a flat shod contender with big shoes to fill, Jalapeño is also a full brother to WGC Habanero, WGC Habanero Picante, RWC Lazaro, Habanero Senorita, and 2022’s reserve maiden champion and 2023 WGC Quesadilla. All of these horses have shared their show careers with JLS.

Jalapeño was born at Sugar Creek Farm. Joe Lester and barn crew happened to see him when he was just a day old. It was that day the barn took their 2021 JLS youth camp kids to see the stallions at Sugar Creek. Joe knew Jalapeño was special immediately, and Kimberly bought the baby before he was even old enough to wean. They quickly had their sights set on the 2023 Maiden Championship!

Joe rode Jalapeño in the finals on July 28th, 2023. After taking the crown at The Maiden amongst the class’s toughest competition yet, this talented colt went on to The Celebration that year to win a World Championship title!

Jalapeño remains in training at Joe Lester Stables in Shelbyville, Tennessee and is owned by Kimberly & Perry Walden of Shelbyville, Tennessee.