Name: Calleen Kinney

Currently living: Nokesville, VA

Horse\’s Name: Sokrates

Horse\’s Age: 8 years old 

Horse Breed: Westphalian

What or who inspired you to ride Dressage?
My Grandmother and Aunt. My grandmother was the first person in the US to get her Bronze Medal riding sidesaddle. She was always one of my greatest inspirations and I loved visiting her house with all her Dressage antiques and sidesaddles. As a kid I would also spend the entire summer at my aunt who owns a dressage farm in Maryland where I would do anything to ride. My aunt always kept my horse obsession kindled and she helped my mom acquire my first horse, Silver. He was massive Quarter horse gelding who taught me much about life as a young person. As I grew up I tried all sorts of riding styles including western, hunter jumpers and eventing but Dressage is always were I felt the most at home.

What is your occupation that allows you to ride?
United States Marine

What have been your successes in the show ring?
Mostly just staying on…and staying in the arena! Seriously, i\’ve never had anything handed to me riding wise. I got my Bronze medal on a Holsteiner stallion who used to be a jumper. He was awesome but he taught me allot about showing. My current horse is an 8 year old gelding who thinks he is a stallion.

What have been you aha moments in training?
I\’m not sure how you pin this down. Everyday I have aha moments as I try and bring along my own young horse. I definitely have my greatest aha moments on him because usually they are such small things that I am doing that make a huge difference in his way of going. When he finally understands something that we were having a hard time at it\’s the best feeling and it\’s always something small.

What is the most difficult thing and riding dressage? 
Putting away the ego. I am a Marine, we live on ego, and horses require you check that at the door because some days they go great and some days they don\’t want to play. You can\’t bring ego to the saddle, especially with an 18 hand young horse, he will always win.

Which trainer(s) have you worked who have made the most differences to you and your horse(s)?
See, I can\’t name any particular one here. They have all made a difference and I would do an injustice if I named anyone in particular. From my trainer, Jill Colby, who taught me to stay on as a kid, to Conrad Schumacher who can pick you apart in within two mins of watching you ride. They all deserve the same praise and admiration because it is the culmination of their efforts that have created who I am as a rider.

Your Other Interests?
There is something besides horses?

Do you own other pets?  
Dogs, cats and a mini. The mini actually belongs to Duke and he just lets us play with him. He loves his mini!

What advice can you give other amateurs based on your experiences?
Keep at no matter how hard things get. Even if you can only ride a few days a week just plug away slowly but surely. Life happens and sometimes you have to put your horse plans on hold to deal with other things, that\’s okay and you can\’t let it get you down. Most importantly enjoy being an amateur! Enjoy the ride and have fun, wear you bling, pet your pony, and don\’t worry about what other think!