Kristen Bumpus of Arrowhead Farms, Inc.

1)    When did you first get involved with horses and what led you to becoming a professional trainer?

The first time I get involved with horses was when my family and I went on vacation to Virginia and we ended up coming home with a three-month-old pony. My mother has this book where at the end of each school year she would write down what I said I wanted to be when I grew up. In first grade I wanted to work behind the candy counter at the mall and then from every year on I knew I wanted to train horses. I never really knew why, all I know is since I was a little kid this is all I’ve ever wanted to do.

2)    What’s your philosophy for how you work with horses?

I try to treat each horse like they are special. I think a lot of people look at horses as more of a commodity. I try to let them be individual and find the way they want to do things and compromise. I really think with horses it is just about comprosmising. It’s about finding the job that they want to do well and realizing it’s not just about what I want them to do.

3)    What do you love most about your job? What is the greatest challenge?

I love that I get to play with horses all day every day. The greatest challenge for me is the early mornings.

4)    What is your favorite place to horse show?

My favorite place to horse show is Devon!

5)    What has been your most memorable achievement so far?

My most memorable achievement so far is winning the derby at Devon.

6)    How do you describe success in terms of a relationship between a horse and a rider?

Like I said before, I think it’s being able to compromise and finding a happy-medium between both the horse and the rider. It’s not expecting the horse to do what the rider says just because they say so. It’s about understanding that it is ok if the horse is not perfect every day because the rider is not going to be perfect everyday either.

7)    Do you have any advice for an individual who wants to achieve success?

You have to be humble. You have to work hard. You have to be willing to do jobs that you are overqualified for because it is important to learn every aspect to be a good trainer. You should know how to do absolutely everything as well as possible. No matter what level someone is at, you can always learn something new from them.

8)    Who is your all-time favorite horse and why?

My favorite horse is Sparkle, also known as Sparky. He is my favorite because I was able to bring him along as a six-year-old all the way up to the grand prix level. I even competed my first grand prix on him.

9)    What do you like most about HorseWorks Insurance?

As a trainer, it is very easy and convenient. I do not have to worry about anything because I know you will always be there to take care of it for me if something happens.

10) What is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobby is reading and researching horse related issues on the internet.

11) Do you have any final words of advice?

I believe that you have to treat horses like you want to be friends with them and in the end, they will do a good job for you. You should treat them like you would want them to treat you.