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CSI Saddlepad News ...
Kerry Kuhn Wins Trainer Challenge at Paso Robles Equine Experience
COATS, KS April 9, 2008. Kerry Kuhn, Pat Hooks and Carol Schriver — all very accomplished horse trainers — competed in the Equine Experience Trainer Challenge in Paso Robles, CA April 5 and 6, 2008. The competition was tight throughout the entire two-day event, but Kerry emerged as the winner on Sunday after spending two and one half round pen hours preparing an unbroken filly to complete a daunting riding and obstacle course.
"This competition was amazing. Pat and Carol are both very good trainers. Every time I looked over to see their progress I was impressed,” said Kerry.
On the first day of competition, all three trainers choose to spend most of their time working on groundwork to build the solid foundation they would need to put their respective colts in the best position for a successful first ride — and give them the skills they’d need to traverse the obstacle course at the end of the competition. Both Pat and Carol had the opportunity to ride their colts during the latter part of the first day’s training session. Kerry, however, ran into a little trouble with his colt accepting his weight in the stirrup for mounting. The first day’s session concluded without a ride on the sorrel filly Kerry had chosen.
After a good night’s rest by competitors and colts alike, the competition resumed on Sunday. All three trainers again returned to the basics with their colts. Kerry used his years of colt starting knowledge to redirect his approach to his filly. With the understanding he needed to do what was right to give this young horse a fair start under saddle, Kerry adjusted his tack and used lots of patience to help the filly through the problems she was having with being mounted. He was finally able to put the first ride on her in the last 30 minutes of the round pen portion of the competition.
“It just goes to show how forgiving horses can be. I pushed a little to hard with this filly on the first day, and she showed me that she wasn’t going to be rushed. I had to slow down, adjust my attitude and, in the end, review the reason I was here in the first place — to give this mare the best start possible. When I did that, it all fell into place and she started to give back to me even more than I expected,” said Kerry after the competition.
The Equine Experience Trainer Challenge is held annually in Paso Robles, CA. The event, coordinated by John and Maureen Rudnick is a favorite equine event of area residents. The challenge is held over two days and judged by a panel of respected horsemen and women. It begins with a round pen portion that allows trainers to demonstrate their colt starting techniques on an unbroken two year old colt. On the second day of competition — after spending just two and one half training hours with their colts — competitors must complete a riding and obstacle course to the best of their colts’ abilities. Competitors are judged during all phases of the competition on how they interact with their colts, their training skills and their problem solving skills as well as the final results achieved during the riding and obstacle test.
For more information on Kerry Kuhn, visit www.KerryKuhn.com or call toll free 866.672.5631 or 620.213.0939. For more information on the Paso Robles Equine Experience, visit www.EquineExpeirence.net or contact Maureen Rudick at 805.237.0011.
