64 SIDELINES MAY 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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A Few Minutes with Kira Kerkorian
By Jan Westmark-Allan
At the tender age of 13, Kira Kerkorian is already making
her mark in the jumper world with her two jumpers Malcolm
and BallyPatrick Mystique. “I won the $7,500 Marshall and
Sterling Finals Low/Modifed Jumper Classic and I was also
Reserve Champion at the Hampton Classic this past year in
the Low Junior Jumpers,” Kira said, adding that she started
riding when her mom took her on a pony ride in California at
the age of three. “I was hooked. Now I would like to move
up to the high junior jumpers with my mare BallyPatrick
Mystique and win a big class.”
Kira started training with James Fairclough II at his
Cavalier Show Jumping in the Hamptons after Thanksgiving
last year. “James has a great training technique and is
fantastic with the horses,” Kira said, adding that it has been
great to watch James on the History
®
Channel’s reality
show “Full Metal Jousting.”
“I think it’s great that James was on ‘Full Metal Jousting.’
He really highlights that show jumpers are just as tough
as any other athlete. It’s also funny to see how he acts on
television versus how he acts in person,” Kira said.
Sidelines:
Does anyone else in your family ride?
KK:
My mom rode for a couple of years and occasionally still
goes on trail rides with me. When I was younger I would travel
around with my mom when she would show at the bigger shows.
Sidelines:
Did you have a pony career?
KK:
I showed in the medium pony hunters for about a year and a
half and then I started riding my mom’s jumper Blitzen. I showed
her in the children’s jumpers when I was nine and then this past
summer I showed her a little bit in the Big Eq; but now she is
retired. Before riding with James, I rode with the Dello Joio’s.
Sidelines:
What is it like training with James?
KK:
It has been a great experience. James teaches you by
actually showing you how to do something on the horse, which
is something that I love since I understand more when I’m being
shown how to do it. I really like Cavalier Show Jumping because
everyone cheers everyone on and supports one another.
Sidelines:
What are your riding goals?
KK:
My riding goals are to move up to the high junior jumper
division; qualify for the North American Junior Young Riders Team
and to possibly do some small grand prixs.
Sidelines:
What’s the best thing about being a rider?
KK:
What I like best is having such a great bond with your horses.
It keeps me very busy but in my spare time I like to hang out with
my friends and family.
Sidelines:
Do you have any “lucky” items you ride with?
KK:
I always ride with my horseshoe necklace that I got for my
birthday when I was about fve.
Kira, right, and her barn buddy Brooke Banks at Lake Placid.
Both girls ride with James Fairclough II at Cavalier Show
Jumping
Photo by Maria Banks
Kira and BallyPatrick Mystique competing
Photo by Parker/Russell – The Book LLC 2011