GoHorseShow sat down with up-and coming trainers and couple, Ashley Wood and JD Koffel of Nelsonville, Ohio. Koffel, 28, and Wood, 27, operate AW Performance Horses, LLC where they specialize in western pleasure and hunter under saddle horses, as well as all-around youth and amateurs for AQHA competition. JD has worked for Fritz Leeman Farms and Pine View Farm among others. Ashley started her training operation at the age of 17 and has been a part of the show industry ever since.
We wanted to find out more about how the couple got involved with horses, and more about their training philosophy. We enjoy introducing new trainers to our readers and finding out more about people in our industry who may still be under the radar or on the verge of making a name for themselves.
Q: Hi guys! So tell us what are some of your proudest accomplishments so far as young trainers?
A: Probably, so far our proudest moment is coaching our successful youth hunter under saddle team, Mary McLoughlin and Don’t Zipover Me to multiple top 10’s at the 2012 Congress.
Q: What are some of the horses you have shown that our readers may know?
A: Krymsun N Gold, Willa Be Invited, Don’t Zipover Me, A Certain Blaze, and Zippos RV.
Q: What made you both decide that you wanted to become professional trainers?
A: If someone can make a career doing something they love, it is a blessing. We both grew up with an uncontrollable love for horses. We also were raised to help people when in need. As horse trainers we are able to spend every day helping people achieve goals with their beloved horses. What better way to spend your days!
Q: What do you enjoy about being a horse trainer?
A: We enjoy see our clients and horses achieve success. Whether it is a small success or a win at a major horse show– it makes everything worth it. We enjoy the relationships of the horse community and the sportsmanship of the industry.
Q: Who are your biggest mentors?
A: For the both of us it is our mothers. They have shown us that hard work, dedication, and never giving up are the keys to success.
Q: What would you like to see changed within the industry?
A: We are personally thrilled with the direction the industry is going in. The horses competing look the best they have ever looked–particularly the western pleasure horses.
Q: What advice do you have for young trainers like yourself?
A: Be honest and be professional–this is a tough business and a long hard road. Take any and every opportunity to better yourself as a horseman. Riding with other horse trainers will only help improve your own personal techniques, and in turn, help to improve your business as a whole. You can learn something from every situation.
Q: What is your favorite class?
A: The Reichert Sports Medicine Challenge. It is so fun to watch the top trainers in the industry and the best two year-olds in the country show for a big purse!
Q: Any memories that stand out that have helped you become the trainer you are today?
A: There are so many memories for the both of us. The result from hard work and dedication has created so many memories it is hard to list just one. Helping someone to achieve that, “I did it!”, moment always makes our job so rewarding.
Q: What are some of your future goals?
A: For JD, winning the Tom Powers Futurity has always been a personal goal and dream since childhood. Being from Ohio, both of us are working towards a win at the Congress–that would be the ultimate achievement for us.
Q: Thanks so much for sitting down with us
A: You’re welcome–it was a pleasure!
Photos © Jennifer Zang, Jeff Kirkbride
