Jody Eckhardt takes time out of her schedule as Blue Earth Area High School’s administrative assistant to pose for a photo with her Equine Hall of Fame award, above. At left, Jody Teeters and her faithful horse J-J receive a trophy which is just one of many the duo earned together throughout their competitive years.

For most people in Blue Earth, Jody Eckhardt is known for her honed skills as the Blue Earth Area High School administrative assistant. However, for most people in?Owatonna? Jody Teeters Eckhardt is known fondly as the daughter of Don and Donna Teeters and is also known as the state rodeo queen.

That is because before Jody Teeters married Tom Eckhardt and moved to Blue Earth, she was well-known for her rodeo and equine showmanship.

And this year, she was inducted into the Steele County Free Fair Equine Hall of Fame.

Not only was Eckhardt the 1978-79 Minnesota High School Rodeo Queen, she was also Miss Horsemanship at the State High School Rodeo Championships, a Minnesota representative at the National High School Championships, an Owatonna Saddle Club officer and member for 10 years, the Owatonna Saddle Club Queen, and she walked in the Minnesota State Fair parade carrying the Steele County 4-H flag, among other notable honors.

Her affinity for all things rodeo started when she was just eight years old, when every little girl’s dream came true.

She won a pony. Yes, a real pony.

She signed up for a pony at the Steele County Free Fair (SCFF) in the FFA Story Book Farm and on the last day of the fair, little Jody’s prayers were answered when a phone call came in to say she won the pony.

Naturally, the horse’s name was Lucky and it was Lucky who struck Eckhardt’s affinity for all things equestrian. There was no turning back.

Just one year later, little Jody Teeters started showing at the SCFF and kept doing so until she graduated in 1979.

“I had so many incredible mentors,” says Eckhardt. “My parents were my biggest supporters, though. My mom was at every event, and she ironed all of my blouses and dresses and costumes. My dad was a dairy farmer, so he would come to events when he could, but he will always be my biggest cheerleader.”

Eckhardt says once she graduated from the Steele County 4-H group, she returned the favor of all of her stellar mentors by becoming a mentor to many other equestrian students.

The young Teeters became known for her championship earnings in horsemanship, showmanship, western pleasure, English pleasure, pole bending, pole weaving, barrel racing, egg and spoon, jumping figure eight, and rescue races. Feats not so easily earned by even the most avid rider, but Eckhardt made it look easy.

She always had help though. Her first horse, Lucky, was followed by Tuffy, then Tony, Dolly, Thunder and Lady, but it was J-J that made her a champion.

“We knew each other so well, it’s like he knew what I was thinking and I knew what he was thinking,” says Eckhardt. “We were a well-oiled machine.”

Eckhardt explains that most riders would have both a pleasure horse and a game horse, but she said J-J did it all.

“It was very rare to find such a flexible horse that does it all,” says Eckhardt. “But he did it, and he loved it just as much as I did, I think.”

She and J-J earned State Fair trips to the State 4-H show on numerous occasions earning several blue ribbons and Grand Champion in barrels as well as third place in pole weaving at the State Fair 4-H show. She also earned state titles in pole weaving and barrel racing at the Western Saddle Club Association (WSCA) Champ Show.

Eckhardt even received a National 4-H medal for her many talents while riding.

“While other girls were dancing or playing volleyball or being in pageants, I was a tomboy in boots and helping with farm chores and spending every spare minute I had with my horses,” says Eckhardt.

In 1978-79 Jody Teeters was crowned the Minnesota State High School Rodeo Queen at the Annual Minnesota State High School Rodeo Championship Finals in Granite Falls.

Before Jody Teeters knew she would ever live in Blue Earth, home of the Buccaneers, she won a maroon and gold horse trailer with a dressing room, a hand carved saddle, a stunning crown, and several silver belt buckles and wardrobe as the Rodeo Queen.

And that fall, she represented the state of Minnesota at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Huron, South Dakota.

“I got to go all over thanks to that amazing opportunity,” recollects Eckhardt. “Looking back on those wonderful and memorable years of showing my horse, I would like to thank my mom and dad for their support.

“My mom spent countless hours with me, she was my rock and by my side at each and every show always helping with tack changes and wardrobe changes. We worked as a team. My dad was behind the scenes helping with chores and now I realize my parents gave up so much so I could follow my dreams.

“Showing horses was a big part of my life and truly made me the person I am today and showing horses at the fair was where it all started. Behind every good equestrian is a truly amazing mother and father,”she explains.

Eckhardt says she held onto her trophies for a while, but eventually donated them back to the Owatonna Saddle Club so they could be reused for other years, but she says she kept all of her ribbons and state trophies.

She specifically remembers the day she came home as the Rodeo Queen with her new trailer. As she and her mother pulled up to the farm, her father, who was carrying milk equipment, dropped everything and began to cry.

“He kept saying, ‘I wasn’t there, I’m sorry?I wasn’t there’ and I told him he was there and he always is,” says Eckhardt, holding back tears. “He has always been my biggest fan and he kept our farm going constantly so I?could do what I loved. I love my parents so much for what they gave me.”

She even remembers having some competitions right here in Blue Earth, and Marlin Krupp was one of her rescue race helpers.

“I remember he was such a scrawny little nothing, I could hop him on my horse no problem,” she laughs. “Now this old gray mare ain’t what she used to be.”

“I have so many fond memories and am so honored to hold such a title for my hometown,” says Eckhardt. “It was a great ride.”