Amateur Kathryn deVries of Vacaville, California grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and came from a non-horse family. “I am not sure how I became the horse crazy kid and adult I am now–but it stuck,” Kathryn told GoHorseShow. “I started off volunteering with a therapeutic riding center so that I could be around the horses and it grew from there.”
Now, deVries is showing on the AQHA show circuit with her two horses, Smartly Packaged and Zippos Ultra Gold under the guidance of Kellie Hinely. In 2011, Kathryn and Zippos Ultra Gold were crowned the Novice Amateur Trail Champion at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. “Magnum” has amassed over 600 points in eight different events.
GoHorse Show sat down with Kathryn to find out more about her background and her two horses.
Q: Hi Kathryn! So, tell us more about your horses, Smartly Packaged and Zippos Ultra Gold?
A: Well, both geldings are by Zippos Old Gold, and I bought them from Kellie in the last few years. Zippos Ultra Gold is nine years-old and Smartly Packed is four–Trail is the best event for both, but they are both learning to do the western all-around events as well.
Zippos Ultra Gold’s barn name is Magnum, and he’s funny, very sensitive and hates to get in trouble! Smartly Packaged’s nickname is Ranger, and he is the quietest horse I have ever known. He is so fun to ride and show because nothing bothers him and he takes everything in stride. I show Zippos Ultra Gold in the western amateur events and Kellie shows him in the Senior Trail, and also in the western riding. Smartly Packaged is a junior horse and is shown by Kellie. I will start showing him in the Amateur Trail as well. After the Fall Classic in Del Mar, I will be doing the Novice Championships with Magnum, then, Congress and the World Show with both of them.
Q: What are your horse show goals for the rest of 2013?
A: Well, I won the West Coast Novice Championships last year on Magnum in the Trail, and I think it would be fun to do it again this year in a new event – that is such a fun show. I have been working really hard and would love to get in the top ten at either Congress or the World Show with either one of them.
Q: What is it you enjoy about horses and showing?
A: I love the satisfaction of a good ride, winning is fun – but knowing that you gave it your all, and that your horse did too is amazing. Being consistent and doing well at the big shows is such a testament to hard work you have put in and the partnership that you and your horse develop. I love catching up with horse show friends and watching all the new trends at the big shows.
Q: What are some of your favorite horse show memories and stories?
A: There are so many–winning the Congress was amazing; winning the novice championship was really cool too; but even the smaller wins, like winning the non pro three year old pleasure futurity with Ranger last year at the Fall Classic was pretty fun too!
Q: What do you like about working with your trainer, Kellie Hinely?
A: She works very, very hard and puts the well being of her horses as her number one priority. It’s refreshing and I always know that my boys are being taken care of very well and that they are always ready to go show. My focus and determination has increased this year under her coaching. She also has a great work–life balance that I really admire, and is something that I strive for in my own life.
Q: What are some of your most memorable wins so far in the show arena?
A: Winning the 2011 Congress in Novice Amateur Trail was probably the most amazing, surreal experience I have had in the show arena. My number was the first one called back, “in no particular order” but when they started to get down to the last few I was praying that they were in order, and they were!
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced showing horses?
A: Personally, the biggest challenge is juggling time with family and my non-horse show friends. Show wise, the biggest challenge has been the decreasing numbers in the amateur out here on the West Coast, it is downright hard, to impossible, to get qualified in many events without being on the road all year and going to quite a few out of state shows. It takes a lot of time and travel to get it done.
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: I’d like to thank my family for their support over the years. I work for our family business so horse showing takes me away sometimes but we always make it work. And thanks to all the trainers over the years that have got me where I am, and to my current trainer – Kellie and her hardworking team for keeping me and my boys in top shape!
CLICK HERE to view her ad in the September issue of GoMag.
