Each month, we will be profiling one of our Strides Student Members, so everyone can get to know each other a little! This month, we’ve chosen Strides member Kelly from South Carolina, USA!
How long have you been a member of Strides? About a year and a half
What’s your favorite part of Strides? It is so hard to choose just one thing but I would have to say my favorite part of Strides is access to the team of super knowledgeable equestrians that are always there right away to answer questions from a broad base of wisdom and experience. As anyone who’s ridden for any length of time quickly realizes, there is no “right” answer that applies to every horse or every rider. This community’s brilliant at providing a spectrum of solutions.
How has Strides helped you? I started with Strides because I live a bit remote and couldn’t find lessons near me. My mare and I were speaking different languages and very frustrated. I was a former jumper who’d been out of the saddle almost 12 years and she was learning second level movements in dressage. I thought Strides would give me a few pointers to help me. I got so much more. Strides provides wonderful step-by-step instruction that makes it easy to adapt to whatever phase you are at with your horse and it is amazing to be able to ask for more clarity. It helps me continue to learn when I can’t make it to the barn. I can be in school carline and listen to lessons. I see in my mind what it should look and feel like before I ride. I no longer wandered aimlessly making circles in the arena but learned not just how to ride a pattern but how to plan what pattern may help you solve a current issue. Probably the most dramatic change in saw with my horse was following groundwork exercises which I’d never done. Not only was she so much softer and responsive under saddle but we had true connection and I learned better the aides from the ground than I could while battling my seat and her stiffness while mounted. Strides provides me with barn buddies and advice when I need help. Watching others learn during office hours is also just as helpful as getting personal feedback. It’s a community. I finally found a trainer to come to me occasionally and she said after a couple of months “I can tell you practice and whatever you are doing, keep doing it. You are progressing faster than students I’ve had for four years” So many wins over the past year.
What kind of horses are your favorite? I have been blessed to ride so many breeds over the course of my lifetime. They all have unique gifts. I do have a soft spot for the warmbloods, though, and have finally realized my dream of owning one.
What’s a goal you have for next year? My goal is definitely to start showing. I love the atmosphere at a horse show—the smell of the barn at 5 am when you show up to start getting ready. Everything. For me it would be for fun and as a way to constantly keep improving and challenging myself.
What is something unique about you, your journey or your horse? I’m not sure how unique we are. Probably the most unique aspect of my horse journey was my years working at the Kentucky Horse Park. I was able to ride so many unique breeds of horse and every discipline imaginable. It was there that I discovered vaulting at the age of 30 and loved it so much. I also found an appreciation for dressage (rather than it just being flatwork to get to the jumping). My mare’s registered name is Bonne Reve (beautiful dream) and she truly is. She is a bit unique, too. Her sire was Bonjour (a big name in the 70s/80s I guess). What’s funny about that is the woman “found” frozen sperm in her supplies and decided to see if it was still viable. Tada. It is. So she’s a bit of a time capsule.
What achievement (with horses or not) you most proud of? I am a mom of four children so I am supposed to say they are my greatest achievement but I can’t really take credit for them as they were a gift God gave me. Honestly I am proud that I put them first. I gave up something I truly loved for twelve years because I needed to put them first. I homeschooled and raised them the best I could and waited until it was time for them to attended traditional school to pursue my passions. This time strictly for enjoyment and personal well-being.
What challenges have you overcome? Bree and I have both had our physical challenges but we sort through them together. Too many years of jumping has left me with old knees and I herniated a disc in my lumbar years ago that requires me to be ever vigilant of my core strength. Bree suffers ulcers which can flare and leave us frustrated for weeks. But we just take the best care of ourselves we can and enjoy time in different ways if riding isn’t in the cards.
Final thoughts to share: I feel truly blessed to be part of Strides. It is rare to find a “business” that truly cares about its “customers”. You all are constantly hunting for ways to improve and grow and yet continue to provide the same amazing experience that we love. I am so proud to say I’m a Strides member. Thank you.
