The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse
mare Coco was the featured star for a segment of renowned trainer
Julie Goodnight’s Horse Master Series, which aired on RFD-TV on
September 9.
Coco, a charming chocolate mare
owned and ridden by Anne Kennedy, learned to execute the training
methodology and maneuvers for the turn on the haunches, which is a
movement not often performed by gaited horses. In the segment,
Goodnight patiently worked with Anne and Coco as she taught the
basics from the ground up in learning the foundations for teaching
and executing the pivot which is also known as turn on the haunches.
The quiet mare and her talented rider eagerly performed each
training method leading up to the pivot with expertise and precision
as Goodnight explained the techniques in an easily understood and
applied style. The segment can be viewed on Goodnight’s web site;
www.juliegoodnight.com.
Goodnight, who grew up riding
hunters and jumpers in Orlando, Florida, has a diverse background
with Thoroughbreds, western riding, and as a trail guide in the
Rocky Mountains. She is an internationally respected trainer who
decided to make horse’s her life work. Her focus is natural
horsemanship, and the emphasis is to teach horse owners how to
train, ride, and handle them with kindness. She earned her Master
Instructor and Clinician Ranking with the Certified Horsemanship
Association, and continues to lead the organization as a
spokesperson.
"It was great to work with Anne and
Coco," said Goodnight. "She is a beautiful mare, calm and well
trained. I love that Anne and Coco have taken on many challenges
from the show ring to leading trail rides. It is a challenge to
train both horse and rider to a new skill at the same time. But
because of Coco’s talent and demeanor she did quite well, and Anne
did to."
Camelot Farms Equestrian Center,
owned by Anne and her husband Mark, provided the picturesque
backdrop of the South Carolina lowland country for the week long
filming of the television segment. The farm, which offers trail
riding along the charming southern trails, breeding, training, and
sales, encompasses approximately 60 acres on Saint Helena Island.
Anne became an applicant as a star for the show via Goodnight’s web
site, and jumped at the chance to participate with her amazing mare
Coco, who holds several breed show titles as well.
On the last day of filming, the
entire crew went to the beach and shot segments of Anne and Coco
trail riding along the beach. At the end of the week, the Kennedy’s
hosted a post production party for the entire staff.
"It was an amazing experience, and I
learned so much," said Anne. "Coco was an eager participant, and did
really well. She was the star of the show."
Photo below: Julie
Goodnight works with avid KMSHA member Anne Kennedy and her
double-registered horse, Cocoa. Photo by Heidi Nyland.
Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse
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