By Jessica Grutkowski
Photography by Sophia Donohue
Every aspiring athlete has heard the saying “hard work pays off.” But in today’s economic climate, many young equestrians worry they will never reach the top of the sport. For Keirstin Scott, a young professional based in North Salem, New York, it was her strong work ethic that ultimately transformed her from a pony-loving kid into a successful, sought-after rider and trainer with a fiercely loyal client base. Her journey exemplifies how dedication and opportunity can lead to success in equestrian sports.
Growing up in rural Wallkill, New York, Keirstin frequently drove by farms and open pastures dotted with horses. One year for Christmas, when Keirstin was 7 years old, her parents gifted her with four horseback riding lessons at Gardnertown Farm. “I instantly fell in love. My mom stretched it to a few more, but we didn’t have the funds to continue,” she said.
Through the kindness of Trish and Bill Dencker, who still own the farm, and the support of her parents, Keirstin became a fixture at Gardnertown. “My parents offered a few bartering deals to help fund additional lessons,” Keirstin said. “My dad would build a bench or gate for the arena, and my mom learned how to work as a show secretary.”
Keirstin also did her part to help earn lessons. “As a Junior, I worked at the barn in any capacity—from mucking and feeding to helping with summer camp,” she said. “The Denckers were, and are, incredibly generous people; they remain close family friends.”
After school and on weekends, Keirstin rode anything and everything in the barn. “All of my tack and gear was begged for, borrowed or stolen,” she joked. “Trish made it possible to show. She allowed me to ride their horses at the farm’s local and rated events.”
Keirstin’s access to diverse horses helped accelerate her progress. “I never had a horse of my own,” she said. Keirstin learned to adapt to different equine temperaments and styles, an experience that would later distinguish her in the competitive arena. On borrowed horses, she eventually earned the opportunity to compete at bigger venues, including Zone 2 Finals at Harrisburg, Medal Finals, ASPCA Maclay Finals and the Devon Horse Show.
Always Learning
After graduating from high school, Keirstin attended Marist College. “I lived at home, commuted to school, worked and rode,” she said. “I graduated in three years with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing.”
Keirstin’s first professional job after college was at Autumn Farm. A few years later, she went on to work for Brooke Baldwin-DeGrazia at Riverside Farm, which operates out of Little Creek Farm, owned by Wes and Lynn Edens, just off Hardscrabble Road in North Salem. “Brooke is an incredible mentor,” Keirstin said.
Once she got over her nerves, Keirstin genuinely enjoyed teaching and focused on equitation and hunters. “Brooke would audit my lessons and was wonderful at giving pointers. She would wait for me to speak, and then after, she would ask if I noticed something else. It was always positive,” Keirstin said. “She helped bring out the best in me.” Naturally, the clients began to enjoy Keirstin’s lessons, too.
Keirstin was fortunate in that Brooke gave her autonomy. “We had built a trusting relationship,” she said. “I made my own choices—and my own mistakes—but had a safety net in Brooke to always work out a solution.”
As Keirstin matured in her professional role, more people took notice of her talent and potential as a rider. “My clients have always been an incredible support system for my career,” she said. “I’ve been given the opportunity to ride many horses, perhaps one of the most special being Barbara Spizzirro’s gelding Hundred Acre.” When Keirstin started competing with Hundred Acre, they had their ups and downs, but Barbara was always supportive. “We would jog on top or not all,” Keirstin joked.
Together, Keirstin and Hundred Acre went on to win champion in the Pre-Green Hunter Division at Harrisburg in 2013 and finished fifth in the inaugural year of the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program. That same year, Barbara and Hundred Acre won the NAL Adult Hunter East Coast Final.
Over the years, Barbara’s relationship with Keirstin has transcended from trainer-client to family. “Her calm, collected approach with both horse and rider is what makes her an exemplary trainer,” Barbara said. “If Keirstin spots talent, she will find a way, through trials and tribulations, to nurture that horse’s trust and respect. She’s not afraid of quirky or challenging horses and will develop an individualized approach for every one. She takes the same approach with all of her riders.”
Another Riverside client, Lynne Schwartz, gave Keirstin the opportunity to compete in her first National Grand Prix on a horse named Capri. “We had purchased the horse for Lynne, but he turned out to be my ride,” Keirstin said. “Lynne enjoyed watching me work with Capri and suggested I show him.”
Keirstin had not coursed a track at that height in over three years, and she was understandably nervous. “I started at 1.20m and made a mistake, but Lynne just told me I did a great job, and that kept it fun!” Keirstin said. The pair went on to compete in National Grand Prix at 1.50m together. “My clients are amazing. Nobody cares about mistakes. They’re always in my corner, and happy to know you’re human, just like them,” she said.
Derby Dreams Come True
Showing at USHJA International Derby Finals is at the top of almost every hunter rider’s bucket list. Serendipitously, Keirstin got to show at the iconic venue not once, but twice, and has plans to jump around the Rolex Ring again soon.
Qualifying for this prestigious event is usually a year-long, calculated plan, but for Keirstin and her client Kim Witherspoon’s horse Aster De La Cense, it happened spontaneously in 2018. “Kim asked me to show her daughter’s Junior Hunter in an International Derby at Old Salem Farm,” Keirstin said. “I told her this is a class we would usually take more time to prepare for, but I knew Aster would be up for it.” Keirstin agreed to do the class but would only jump the low options. “It was raining pretty hard and we won the class! We were able to register him for the USHJA Derby Program that day and punch our ticket to Finals.”
Later that summer, after thoughtful preparation, Keirstin found herself in Kentucky at the famous Rolex Ring, stepping into the USHJA International Derby Finals on Aster. Andre Dignelli of Heritage Farm helped her school for the class she had always dreamed about as a child. Keirstin and Aster left with first-round scores that qualified them for the handy round held the next evening. After a stellar handy round, they finished 12th overall among many of the top riders and horses in the country.
Keirstin’s success prompted her supporters to encourage her to do it again. “Aster had only competed in four International Derbies, and two were at Finals!” she said. Aster placed 10th overall the following year in 2019, and was sixth in Tier II that year. “I only cared about the overall standing; I try to hold myself to the highest standards.”
Trademark Farm is Born
In 2023, after 12 years of partnership with Brooke, Keirstin launched her own Trademark Farm. “We occupy about half of the 40 stalls there; some clients followed me, and some stayed with Brooke. It was truly an easy transition because we always maintain open communication,” Keirstin said. “We still have a nice relationship and run our businesses out of the same facility, which is kind of unheard of in this world.”
Trademark Farm’s clients are primarily adult amateurs. “Most are based in Westchester and Connecticut, but some travel from Manhattan,” Keirstin said. Trademark’s clients show at top venues like Old Salem Farm, the Hampton Classic, HITS Saugerties and the Fairfield County Hunt Club, among others. “We’re competitive, but everyone is really cool—and fun!”
Notably, Keirstin stays up north during the winter months. “I never grew up going to Florida, so I’m comfortable staying home,” she said. “It’s important for me to be with my family. My husband, Daniel, whom I met at Gardnertown, has three older daughters, and together we have a 4-year-old girl named Addison.” Daniel grew up playing polo at Gardnertown, and they have been friends since they were teenagers.
Of course, Trademark’s clients aren’t limited to staying north in the winter. “If anyone wanted to show in Florida, I would arrange for them to go with a trainer whom I trust,” Keirstin said. “Likewise, I have four trainers who send me their clients for the winter. It’s a huge compliment!”
When Keirstin isn’t working with her own clients, she can be found campaigning horses for other professionals and owners, including Jennifer Hinman at Sweetwater Farm. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to show any horse, especially young horses,” Keirstin said. “I’ve been riding for Jen for 15 years; she has an amazing eye for talented hunters and I love that she trusts me to help in the process.”
2024 proved to be a banner year for Trademark Farm, when Keirstin rode to first, second and third place in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Saratoga Horse Show. She won the class on Aster de la Cense, and placed second on Adele Einhorn’s Copper Canyon. She rode Denise DiNozzi’s MTM Promises Fulfilled to third place overall, with a win in the handy round. Keirstin also piloted Maria Brand’s Waterloo to second place overall in the $10,000 USHJA International Derby.
When she isn’t on the podium or coaching her clients from the sidelines, Keirstin can be found enjoying time with her family. Addison is learning how to post the trot and shows in the leadline. “She loves to ride, especially with Daddy. He will put her in front of the saddle and canter with her,” Keirstin said. “She is having so much fun with it, and that’s really how it should be.”
Follow Keirstin on Instagram @trademarkfarm and on Facebook at Trademark Farm
Photos by Sophia Donohue, sophiadonohuephotography.com
