Friday December 1, 2006

Kyra Kyrklund, An Innovative Rider and Trainer

Kyra, The Rider

Because of the lessons taught to her early on, Kyra is continually striving to improve her "tool box". "I try to do a step ladder progress, if the goal is to do a certain movement, I look at the foundation, and build on that. My goal is to increase the amount of tools in the tool box and not throw away the old tools."

Increasing the tool box has meant diversity in training and thinking outside the box not only for the horse, but for the rider. Incorporating techniques used by equine and non equine disciplines (such as dolphin training), Kyra has been able to expand her tool box and keep her horses happy and interested in the subject at hand.

Because of the emphasis on strong foundations and getting the horse outside the box, daily riding routines at her Billinghurst stable, Snow Hall, are tailored to the horse.

Warm up and cool downs are done on a groomed path around the property. The schedule is varied throughout the week, and horses are never drilled. Youngsters to Grand Prix, they all get treated as individuals.

"A horse is a horse," she states "We have to make it easy for the horse. A lot of horses want to please and you have to make it easy and enjoyable for them to do their job."

Her current star and WEG competitor, Max (Master) is by the same sire that Leslie Morse's Tip Top (Master out of Hortensia), who was also trained by Kyra until 2003. Max, who was purchased sight unseen as a three year old, came to Kyra as a difficult and skittish colt who had a past, but under Kyra's guidance and understanding, he came around and placed seventh this year at World Equestrian Games.

“He's a sensitive horse, and you've got to understand that and work around it. I had to work to have his trust."