CHRISTY WOOD: EQUESTRIAN SUCCESS INSIDER
ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Christy Wood shares her backstory on becoming a world champion horse trainer, judge, riding instructor, author, and trail guide. Watch here in the YouTube player or download the podcast on PodBean, SoundCloud.
Christy Wood is a World Champion horse trainer, also exhibiting in jumping and trail, and her students are world champions who join her on the show team. She is a winner in extreme trail obstacle challenges as well. Christy is a carded horse show judge with 7 breed associations and is the author of “Your Best Horse Show: A Guide for Managers and Exhibitors”, and the children’s book, “Ranger: The Little Horse with a Big Heart.”
Christy is also the owner of Wood N Horse Training Stables in Three Rivers, California, where she offers instruction for beginner riders to advanced equestrians in English and western disciplines including jumping and trail obstacle work. Located just 6 miles from the entrance of Sequoia National Park, she offers trail rides in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada’s. All horses used are experienced trail horses in the mountains. More at www.WDNHorse.com.
So, what does it take to be a successful in the equestrian world? Check out Christy Wood’s answers to our 10 Equestrian Expert Insider Questions about her career, including the challenges she faces, as well as her inspirations.
1.What led you to become an equestrian trainer, judge, trail guide, and author?
* Trainer: My friends saw me winning at horse shows and asked me to train them and their children.
* Judge: My mentor and trainer was a horse show judge, and when asked me to ring steward for him and to judge the classes, my picks matched his!
* Trail Guide: The local hotels asked me if I was interested in providing guided tours.
* Author: With “Your Best Horse Show: A Guide for Managers and Exhibitors,” I wanted to give back to the equestrian world what I had learned from judging horse shows. Then with my children’s book, “Ranger: The Little Horse with a Big Heart,” I wanted to share the joy of horse ownership and the life I shared with my horse Ranger.
2.What attributes do you have that make you a good fit for your equestrian profession?
One word: Patience. Plus, the diligence to stay on task. To take as much time as needed to help a horse understand what I asking of him/her.
3.Who or what inspires you?
To be the best I can be. To give what I do 110% percent!
4.Describe your ideal clients.
People who want me to find the discipline that best suits their horse without forcing the horse to do something it is not suited for.
5.What is your biggest pet peeve in in your industry?
Breeders who are still breeding horses that they know will pass on a disease.
6.What personal changes have you had to make to build your career?
I had to perfect translating what I felt while training a horse into words that would help an owner or student.
7.What do you consider your biggest challenge?
The wonderful folks who come from different countries and do not speak or understand English. Because of the language barrier, I cannot give them an enjoyable ride as I am responsible for their safety.
8.If you could invite any three people (alive or passed on) to take out on a trail ride, who would they be?
Ronald Reagan, Chief Joseph, and Seymour Young Dog.
9.If you could switch careers for a day, what would you choose?
I’d ride Secretariat in the 1973 Belmont Stakes winning the Triple Crown 31 lengths ahead of everyone else.
10.What is the most important tip you would pass on to another person just getting started in the equestrian world?
Have a good mentor, don’t give up your day job, and get a college degree in business management.