Assistant trainer Mallori Bordic currently lives in Orrum, North Carolina, where she works for Kelby and Kaitlin Hutchinson. “A day in the life at the farm is a busy, hot one,” Mallori shares. “We each have our own set of horses, for the most part, that we each focus on.”
Hutchinson Performance Horses specializes in futurity horses with an emphasis in western pleasure. “I think our oldest horse is four, so our days are filled with young ones. Kaitlin and Kelby are talented with young ones, and I’ve enjoyed learning how to get one broke through them.”
Originally from Austin, Texas, Bordic went to college for a couple of years, but soon got bored and wanted to work with horses instead. Mallori got started in horses from her ‘Papa’; she began doing rodeos until deciding they were too fast-paced for her liking. Then, when Mallori was about seven, she got her first show horse. “He was a Don’t Skip Zip gelding, and he made me fall in love with horse showing. I’ve been hooked ever since.”
We sat down with Mallori to learn more about her background and future goals.
GHS: Hi Mallori. Thanks for sitting down with us. Can you tell us what you enjoy about showing horses?
Mallori: I like that horses are all different; every one gives you something new to work at, and I enjoy the challenge of figuring out what works for that specific horse. Especially with the young ones, it’s something new every day with them, so it keeps you on your toes and consistently trying to evolve to become better with them.
GHS: What is your favorite accomplishment in the show arena so far in your career?
Mallori: My favorite accomplishment in the show arena is probably my most recent one. I won the Limited 3s at the Back to Berrien Futurity. The horse I showed, Making Em Great Again, aka Harley is a very talented horse. She slowed me down in the training process as I had to figure out what worked best for her. Kaitlin and Kelby are good at putting the finishing touches on one, and they helped me every day get those finishing touches on Harley that I’ve never had before. It was really fun to be able to go in the pen, put my hands down and be able to trust my buttons.
GHS: Who are your most significant mentors?
Mallori: My biggest mentors are defiantly Kelby and Kaitlin. I’ve always liked their style of horse, and their talent is unmatched. I look up to Brett Parrish too. Since my first show as an assistant, Mr. Brett has gone out of his way to give me helpful tips to make me a more successful show woman and horse trainer. It’s hard to think of someone better to learn from.
GHS: Any advice you have for young trainers?
Mallori: Set goals for yourself at the beginning of the year and work daily to accomplish those goals. Work hard, keep your head down, ask questions, and don’t give up.
GHS: Any favorite memories that stand out?
Mallori: One of my favorite memories was watching Cody Conover win the Maiden class at The Madness this year. Cody has been one of my best friends since I started training, and it was so awesome to see him not only win, but have also trained the second-place horse. He’s incredibly talented; I’m lucky to call him one of my best friends.
GHS: How did you come about working for Kaitlin and Kelby?
Mallori: I took a little break from the horses, and Kaitlin had asked if I wanted to come to help them at Venice in January, and that was the first time I’d been back at a show since August. The horses they had included Pinball Machine, Mr Freeze, Countray Grammar, Yes No Maybe So, Shesgotawayabouther, and Obsessed To Be Best, to name a few. That was the first time I rode Harley, and I knew I’d be moving to North Carolina from the first day at the show. They are great to work for, they have a lot of structure in their program, and I admire that. We work very hard, but also try to work the most “normal” hours possible to allow for a little bit of a life outside of the horses. They have a different way of bringing colts along, and it’s been an eye-opening experience to learn from them and adapt their practices.
GHS: What is one thing people may not know about you?
Mallori: One thing people probably don’t know about me, but think is odd, is that I don’t know how to ride a bike. I can ride a 1,200 lb animal but give me a bike, and I’m scared.
GHS: What is one thing you want to see improved in the industry?
Mallori: Probably doing some more added money classes and offering more to the non-pros, as well. I think the industry is already working on this and the big added money in the open is great. It shouldn’t go away, but I think getting the customers excited to play is essential because, in the end, it’s about the customer that trusted you and allowed you to help them and their horse achieve their goals.
GHS: What are some of your future goals?
Mallori: I’d like to be in the top placings at the major shows with my three-year-old. I’ve got a couple of two-year-olds at home who will make nice horses, so I want to get them broke and watch them go off and be successful.
GHS: Thanks, Mallori!
