OWNERS FORUM Kelly Straeter
“Is watching them grow up and change as they develop. They not only change quickly, they learn so much in a short period of time. The difference in them every month is astounding to me and I really enjoy being a part of it. They remind me of children and watching them is like watching a child learn. Sometimes it’s quick and fun and sometimes it’s a bit frustrating, but the overall experience is something I treasure and would not trade for anything.” Her most recent addition is “Undeniable”, aka Nemo, a
A HUNTER OWNER COMMITTED TO THE SPORT “The best part of owning young horses,” says Kelly Straeter.
show. I’d love to find a barn full of this type.” “He is fun to be sure,” Kelly adds in. “But the best part
charming, five year old chestnut gelding with four white socks and a white “squiggle” on his face. “He is just so darn cute, he is like a big teddy bear” says Kelly. “Even though I only get to Rainbow Canyon Ranch a few times a month, he already knows who I am and he whinnies like crazy every time I arrive. Maybe I’m the carrot lady to him but he sure lights up and calls to me. I just love that about this fun horse!” Camilla DuPont, a classical dressage trainer, bred him in
Europe and imported him to America for her own riding career. When she relocated to the Malibu area and got to really focus on Nemo, she loved the horse but became aware he did not have enough “action” for the level of dressage competition she was aimed at. That lack of “action” is just what hunter trainers look for and love to find. She contacted Francesca Youngman last October to represent her in a sale to the hunter sport and the horse went to a show at LA Equestrian Center. Patrick Spanton saw the youngster in the ring and made note of him in case he could find someone in the barn to own it. Kelly made one of her trips to the area in late October to
is getting to ride him. When you sit on him you feel like you are on a made 4’ horse. He is comfortable, elastic and smooth as can be, you feel like you can jump the moon and then walk back to the barn. I am always looking for the next good one, even when I’m not looking,” she adds laughing and giggling. “Patrick and Mary and I have settled into a wonderful relationship over the years. I do what they tell me and they make sure it works.” “Patrick showed Nemo for two weeks at Thermal ending
up Mid-Circuit Champion Training Hunter, and Baby Green Hunter Champion Week II. His future is well on the way and I am going to have a really great time this year, maybe I’ll show him some too. THAT would be fun.” Mary chuckles and jumps in to add, “Without owners like
Kelly the hunter sport would go nowhere. She loves owning them and watching them succeed in the show ring. But she has a clear understanding of the process and the fact that some come along faster than others. She also knows that some don’t make it to the top at all, those horses get sold for the lower levels quickly. That always leaves her open to the next one and the next one. It makes working with her as an owner quite pleasant.” Sometimes the process can involve a horse that Kelly really
spend time with friends. Patrick mentioned he had seen a very special horse; Kelly immediately dragged him to the car and off to Malibu they went. Kelly fell in love at first sight and arrangements were made to bring Nemo to the Preview for a try on Wednesday. He was vetted on Friday. “I was so glad Kelly stepped up when I found this horse,”
says Patrick. “He is such a dream to have around and one we didn’t want to miss out on. Kelly is the kind of owner we love to deal with. She is always on the lookout for the next young one and then steps up and does what’s right to bring its career along.” Mary Gatti, owner of
cares for but it’s not one she will keep. “Keeping a horses future in mind every step of the way,” says Kelly, “some are for me to ride, but some like Rule the Roost are better with someone else. We knew he was not for me and he wasn’t my ride from almost the very beginning. BUT I still loved owning that horse and knowing he would be a great horse for someone else. He was definitely a horse we knew would be a top hunter so I was willing to take the time and keep him for awhile for his education, I knew he wasn’t going to be for me. I am pleased to have been a part of his early education.” “It’s important for me to own and promote open horses.
They are really where the great Amateur Owner and Junior horses come from, horses have to start somewhere. The top horses come through people like me who are willing to own them and help with their careers. It is a privilege to do what I do with these horses, I am the lucky one.”
Rainbow Canyon Ranch, says, “This horse has a really great mind. He is a pleasure to work with but at the same time a real character, he has a personality that makes him so much fun to be around and
Mary Gatti 37 List of Horses Kelly has Owned:
Ravissant - Hunter Breeding Mosambique - Hunter Breeding
Cousteau - 1st year, Conformation 1st year, AO’s Fenway Park -1st year
Leopold - 1st year, 2nd year, Regular Hunters De Mille - 1st year, 2ndyear, Tegular Hunters Marshall - Regular Conformation, AO's Sin City- 1st year
Rule the Roost aka North Shore - 1st year Photos © Quince Treee, Cathrin Cammett & Captured Moment Photography
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