Kirsten started riding at the age of seven. She grew up with Morgan Horses and learned versatility at a young age. From Saddleseat to Western Pleasure, Kirsten was fortunate to experience a variety of disciplines. She grew up showing regionally and had always dreamed of doing big things in the horse industry.
At the age of 20 Kirsten found herself attracted to the excitement of Thoroughbred horse racing. It was not the “game” that caught her attention, but more so, the number of horses you can see in one place. When she first stepped on to the racetrack, it was only in her wildest dreams that she would be a part of the biggest days of horse racing and she would travel to the biggest tracks in North America. It was on the racetrack that she got the hands on experience to rise from hot walker, to groom, then exercise rider, eventually taking on the role as an assistant trainer. When she was learning to gallop, she spent time in California starting young Thoroughbreds which sparked her passion for young horses.
Realizing her niche with young horses, she took a position as Young Horse Trainer, working with Warmbloods, and was introduced to the Dressage discipline. First finding it the hardest thing she had ever tried, she grew to love the connection and the harmony that you can achieve with your equine partner. She felt the excitement of the show ring and the gratification as her young horses developed and achieved new milestones.
After returning to the racetrack for a final time, Kirsten felt the pull back to the show ring and the excitement of the young horses. It was then that the dream of Yellow Pine Farms began to become a reality. Passionate about her Thoroughbreds, naturally, she took them with her. In the first few years of Yellow Pine Farms, Kirsten has collected almost all of the horses that she cared for while on the track as an assistant trainer. As they retired from racing, Inked, Curlin’s Pride, Crossfire, Rowdy On Top, Smart Arch, World Tax War (IRE), Sun Lover (GB), Manson (GB), Emmaus (IRE) and Frankincense found themselves in the company of their old friend, Kirsten.
