Horse trainer Kerri McKay of Chino Hills, California has been involved with horses as long as she can remember. The UC Irvine graduate says she has been obsessed with horses since the age of two. As a young girl McKay recalls begging her parents for a horse every day until they finally gave in when she turned nine.
“My first horse was a three year-old unbroke Appaloosa named, Patches, that my dad bought me for three hundred dollars,” McKay recalls. “I didn’t know he wasn’t broke to ride. I just rode him around in the backyard and learned everything the hard way. No one in my family knew anything about horses so it was amazing that I lived through my childhood!”
GoHorseShow sat down with Kerri to find out more about her background and accomplishments in the horse industry.
Q: Hi Kerri! Can you tell us a little bit more about your past accomplishments?
A: I have been fortunate enough to have trained and shown multiple World Champions and Top Tens at the NSBA World Show, PHBA World Show, ABRA World Show and IBHA World Show, including multiple All-Around Champions. Also, I have trained many youth and amateur riders that have placed in the Top 3 and Top 10 at the AQHA World Show in the hunter under saddle, trail, western riding and showmanship. I also have had Reserve Champions at the Congress and many Top 5 and Top 10 placings in the western pleasure, hunter under saddle, equitation, horsemanship, trail and showmanship. In 2012, I was the AQHA High Point Limited Open Trail Rider.
Q: Tell us about your clients and what events you specialize in?
A: I specialize in western pleasure, western riding, trail and hunter under saddle. My clients range from Novice Youth and Amateurs to Select Amateurs. I believe in teaching my clients not only how to ride, but how to train. I want my clients to know the why behind everything they do on the horse and how to fix a problem if one arises. This pays off in the show pen and builds confidence. I like to plan out each person’s goals individually and I always encourage my clients to go on and try other events and most of all to have fun!
Q: Advice you have for young trainers?
A: Number one, be ethical! I think that young trainers should ask for advice from their fellow trainers when they need it. I know that is what I always did. Still do. I think that you can learn the most from people who have lasted in this business. Good ethics and longevity in this business go hand in hand and truly define your future success in this competitive sport. Number two, wear sunscreen!
Q: What are some of your future goals?
A: I have many goals and they change every year but one that is consistent is to always upgrade my stock. When someone comes to me and asks me to help them find a horse, my primary goal is to get the best horse that I can find for that client’s budget. I can only be successful as a trainer and riding coach if I have talented, sound horses to ride therefore picking the right horse is crucial. I also take extra care to match the right horse to the rider. I want the owner to have a connection with their horse.
Q: What are some of your favorite horse show memories?
A: I still remember my very first blue ribbon I ever won. I was in 4-H and I was about 13 and I was showing Patches–my three hundred dollar Appaloosa! My father rented a two-horse trailer and hooked it up to the station wagon to get to the show. I had worked really hard training him myself out in an open field. I didn’t have an arena, and I had been showing 4-H for about a year. At this point, I was just happy if I could beat one person in my class and not place last! It was a show on Halloween weekend and to my utter shock and awe I won first place in the western pleasure class. The prize was a giant stuffed bat–the flying vampire kind of bat, not baseball bat–that was the happiest day of my life! (laughs)
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: I feel very lucky to be able to do what I love everyday. I get to travel, ride amazing horses, and hang out with all my friends at the shows. I am so fortunate to have the best clients who love their horses and are great friends too. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Q: Thanks Kerri for sharing your story!
A: You’re Welcome!
If you would like to find out more about Kerri and her training operation, you can visit her website by clicking here.
Photos © Shane Rux
