Kelsy King has been a super addition to our team this winter. She has been making huge progress with Carlee, a beautiful Halflinger mare that I purchased in the summer as a fun project. They seem made for each other!
Ruth Hogan-Poulsen
Equine professionals take many paths to build their careers. Learn more about Kelsy’s career path so far since she joined Ruth as a working student in 2021!
Working student Kelsy King brings with her a solid foundation in horse care and horsemanship from years of Pony Club and 4-H involvement.
Caring for relationships with people as well as with horses is a priority in all of Ruth’s barns.
So, when assistant trainer Emilie Goddard broadcast a call for a working student to her network across the country, Kelsy jumped at the opportunity to work both Emilie (her long-ago-camp-counselor) and Ruth.
“I was looking for the next step [in my equestrian career],” explained Kelsy. “This was the perfect opportunity!”
Interviewing and planning the move from Washington, across the country to Vermont was no small feat, but she arrived at East Hill Farm in June 2021.
In the months since her arrival in Vermont, and subsequent trip down to Florida for her first Wellington season, Kelsy has been thrilled at the explosion of learning she’s experienced.
And, she’s not the only one to notice her progress!
“The skills that Kelsy has acquired so far in the saddle as well in the barn are impressive,” Ruth agreed.
Arriving with a solid foundation of riding skill, Kelsy felt she was missing the ability to really breakdown and articulate her knowledge, such as analyzing the mechanics of a particular movement or problem.
Ruth’s explanations of basic conformation and how it related to what can feasibly be asked of the horse at any time in their training has been such a revelation in my understanding and education!
Kelsy King
Ruth helps riders have better understanding of not just their horse but also their own position and aids (intentional and otherwise!)
“As a coach, Ruth provides support in every aspect of my riding,” shared Kelsy. “She is able to describe technicalities in position and aids that I have been told to do in the past but never understood how to execute.”
Competing in eventing in her teens and up into the adult amateur divisions, Kelsy is now thoroughly enjoying her intensive exposure to dressage.
After the work she’s put in during the past few months, Kelsy is looking forward to riding Carlee, Ruth’s 9-year-old Haflinger pony mare, at some schooling shows this winter season.
We look forward to seeing Kelsy and Carlee in the show ring soon!
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