EQUINE TRAINING
Krymsun Kash
“Kash”
If someone were to ask me two years ago if I thought I would train not one, but two horses by the time I was 22, I wouldn’t have believed them. Despite my passion for riding, my experience in training horses was limited to basic groundwork and riding lessons. However, once I was assigned an unbroke horse of my own, that all changed.
The first horse I took under my wing was a 3 year old AQHA gelding who had minimal groundwork and had never been backed. His name was Krymsun Kash. He was assigned to me through my equine training class at the University of Connecticut. We were both new to training, so everything was taken day by day for the both of us. As weeks turned into months, and eventually months into years, our progress was phenomenal. Due to many students being part of the class and having more complicated horses of their own, I was left to my own resources on what I should be training him to do and how. Teaching myself through videos of professionals and reaching out to my past coaches, I was able to teach him to lunge solely based off vocal cues, trailer, bathe, clip, tie, and ground drive.
It was during my summer break that I traveled to France for a riding clinic, whereI had the privilege of learning from a past olympic prospect how to train horses properly and more in depth. I absorbed every lesson, from classical dressage groundwork and riding, to modern training techniques, each insight offered a new perspective on the intricate partnership between horse and rider.
With time and dedication, our partnership flourished into a deeper understanding between horse and rider that I had never had the privilege of experiencing. By the time I graduated, we were clearing 2'6 courses, had perfected the lead change, trail riding and having other riders lesson on him. To this day, he is the horse I am the most proud of.
All my assets
“Radar”
The second horse I trained was a large AQHA registered appendix named Radar who was spooky but extremely honest. Drawing back to my training education from France and Kash, we starting his jump training journey. Unlike Kash, Radar would test my patience and challenge my skills as a trainer. Yet, with determination and lots of consistent work and riding, I never thought he would defy all expectations and beyond.
Together, we navigated the complexities of jumping, overcoming obstacles both physical and mental with courage and trust. With each jump, his trust in me grew stronger, and created a mutual respect for one another. Before I worked with him, I was told he would stop at anything new or colorful. I interpreted that as worry, I would not want to be asked to go over something I thought was scary either. We worked on building confidence over small fillers, noise, and gymnastics. We also did significant groundwork to help him understand new things are not something to be scared of, but curious instead.
After working consistently for months, Radar was jumping 3’ oxers covered in tarps, with fillers, and with riders other than myself with full confidence.
As I reflect on my journey from novice to trainer, I am filled with gratitude for the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and the people who aided in my knowledge along the way. Though my path has had many obstacles and uncertainties, it has ultimately led me to a place of profound fulfillment and purpose. So much so to the point I am working on being a professional trainer and rider. As I look to the future, I do so with a sense of excitement and anticipation, eager to continue my journey of discovery and education in training. If it wasn't for Kash and Radar, I would not be the rider or trainer I am today.