Featured Rider - Kyle Carter |
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Kyle Carter (Part 1 of a 4 Part Series)
Madison Park
Thoroughbred Gelding, 16.3 h.h., 1998
Monaco Magic - Mistress of Mine
In 2007, the pair won Advanced at Rocking Horse in February. Later, they were the highest placed Canadians at the CIC*** World Cup division at Red Hills (FL). The pair also placed 10th at Jim Cogdell's CIC*** Fork Horse Trials (NC) in April.
The excitement and adrenaline shot through me as I sat down to write about the plan of riding at Rolex again! (The nerves that I have about writing this feel similar to driving in the entrance of the Kentucky Horse Park.) It has been way too long since I last rode there: nine years spent focusing on the business of producing and selling horses, as well as coaching riders to their hopeful dreams.I will most likely be making a dramatic return with a horse I love named Madison Park aka Parker in the barn. I say "dramatic", but perhaps "exciting" is more appropriate starting with trying to lead the very exuberant 10yr old, 16.3hh TB from the trailer to the stall!! Parker is not one to keep his enthusiasm under wraps. However, once Parker gets to work, he is usually quite dependable.
In the 30 months of our partnership, this former racehorse has been steadily learning the trade and last year at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro he lead the Canadian Team to a Silver Medal with an individual 5th place overall.
My support staff is essential for our past and future successes starting with my wife Jennifer who makes our business and training operation possible. Not only is she presently my 'eyes on the ground' and unfortunately my sounding board, she is the person who saw the possibilities in this horse when they were difficult to see due to the mis-behaving! Having ridden at Rolex in 2002 and 2003, she understands the requirements and has been able to keep me focused on the 'dreams' and not the 'bottom line', which is not an easy task.
Our event season starts this weekend at Ocala Winter I. It seems that the season never ended with lots of Christmas and winter students gearing up for the season, from hopes for Novice to one client, Ralph Holstein, who is also aiming for Rolex. Managing the chaos of more than 50 students and horses means that our exceptional staff needs a big 'hats off' for handling the work that never ends! From our barn manager, Courtney Olmstead to the working students, Erin Hoverson, Jessica Turner, Emma Rafuse and Karen Moran, thanks for carrying the weight!! Also, hopefully our partners in Parker, Al and Nicole Shinton, will be on hand to watch the competition at Rolex.
In preparation for the season, Parker has been going to many jumper shows over the winter and will return to the eventing at Rocking Horse on Feb. 2-3.
See you in the galloping lanes!
Parker, Kyle, Riley, (Jennifer, waiting on picture)