SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Thursday, June 02 2016 / Published in Weekly Feature

Kaitlin Blythe’s Colorful Rise to the Top

Competing at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington: Kaitlin and Daverden. Photo by Richard Malmgren, RBM Photography

Competing at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington: Kaitlin and Daverden.
Photo by Richard Malmgren, RBM Photography

By Katie Navarra

Many of today’s top trainers affectionately remember their introduction to horses. For most, it was about the same time they learned to walk. From that moment on they were hopelessly infatuated with horses and riding.
Kaitlin Blythe, an assistant trainer for Jessica Jo “JJ” Tate in Chesapeake City, Maryland, remembers her first encounter with horses was lukewarm.
“My parents all but forced me to go on the pony rides at the state fair when I was 5 years old. I was afraid and it took more than a little coaxing,” she reminisced.
By the end of the short ride, her sentiments had changed. Her parents had to peel her off the pony. “I ended up loving it and refused to get off,” she laughed.
That same year, she began hunt seat riding lessons. By the time she was 11 years old, she was competing in American Paint Horse Association (APHA) shows in hunter under saddle and showmanship with her first horse, KBS Mad Max.
After competing at a Paint Horse show held in conjunction with the North Carolina State Fair, she was determined to compete at the APHA World Championship Show. Max was too small to compete in hunter events at the national level so in 2004 she purchased Willy B Cool, aka Willy, a leggy 17-hand bay tobiano.
While Willy entered training for hunter events, Kaitlin’s trainer at the time, Julia Dearborn, suggested Max try dressage. “Max was athletic, and thrived in dressage work. I loved the new challenge it presented,” she said.
For six years, Kaitlin simultaneously competed in dressage and APHA events. During her final year of APHA competition in 2009, she went to the APHA World Show in Fort Worth, Texas, and three weeks later traveled to the North American Junior and Young Rider Competition (NAJYRC) in Lexington, Kentucky.
“It made for the quite the schedule. These experiences helped me become a better competitor and learn how to manage my nerves, no matter how big and important the competition was,” she said.

Kaitlin and her own Eden LHF, a 2009 KWPN mare by UB40 out of Arunee by Sir Sinclair. Photo by Richard Malmgren, RBM Photography

Kaitlin and her own Eden LHF, a 2009 KWPN mare by UB40 out of Arunee by Sir Sinclair.
Photo by Richard Malmgren, RBM Photography

Dedicated to Dressage
At age 17, Kaitlin officially switched from hunter to dressage. Willy followed the career change. Even today, Willy competes in dressage. He’s leased by one of Kaitlin’s friends and together the duo will debut at Prix St. Georges in 2016. “We discovered that Willy actually had quite a bit of talent for it,” Kaitlin said.
Max and Willy may have introduced her to dressage, but it was her next horse, Daverden, aka “Dylan,” that propelled Kaitlin’s dressage career forward. The bay Hanoverian gelding joined her painted partners in dressage training in 2006.
“He’s a very athletic, powerful horse who can be reactive at times. I always knew he was a special horse, so I stuck with him,” she said.
During their decade-long partnership, Kaitlin estimates falling off Dylan nearly 100 times. He once unseated her so badly she fell into a fence and broke her jaw.

Kaitlin and Eden LHF Photo by Richard Malmgren, RBM Photography

Kaitlin and Eden LHF
Photo by Richard Malmgren, RBM Photography

Young Riders
Despite Dylan’s quirky personality, they excelled when competing together in four North American Junior Young Rider Championships, placing as high as sixth individually.
“Young Riders was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. As a young professional with aspirations of riding on a U.S. team, NAJYRC gave me the experience of qualifying for and competing with a team,” she said.
The Adequan/FEI NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for riders 14–21. The young riders compete for team and individual medals in the three equestrian Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage and eventing. The championship also includes the Para-Olympic discipline, para-dressage and the FEI reining and endurance events.
“My biggest takeaway from the Young Rider program is how to handle myself under pressure, which is very similar to the pressure that I now deal with when competing horses for clients,” she said.
Kaitlin and Dylan also competed in four Festival of Champions competitions, placing as high as third. He also helped her earn USDF bronze, silver and gold medals.
“Most importantly, he has taught me the ropes of bringing a green horse up to Grand Prix, and how to have patience in even the most trying situations,” she said.
In addition to finding success in the show ring, Dylan introduced her to BioStar, a whole food supplement company and a sponsor. “He was struggling with building muscle and fitness, and also with stomach ulcers,” Kaitlin explained.
After putting him on the whole food diet and BioStar supplements, he became a changed horse. She believes his diet is a large part of why she was able to train him to the Grand Prix level.
“I’d been using BioStar products for some time before I became a sponsored rider, and I love having the support of a company with products that I absolutely believe in 100 percent,” she said.

Kaitlin Blythe and Daverden, her 1999 Hanoverian gelding by Davignport out of Gisela by Garibaldi I. Photo by Richard Malmgren, RBM Photography

Kaitlin Blythe and Daverden, her 1999 Hanoverian gelding by Davignport out of Gisela by Garibaldi I.
Photo by Richard Malmgren, RBM Photography

Lucky Coincidence
Four years ago, while preparing for her first trip to the NAJYRC, Kaitlin connected with JJ Tate through a silent auction fundraiser.
“I’d seen JJ ride at a show when I was much younger, and I admired her riding style. When I saw her lessons available at the silent auction, I had to put my name in,” she said.
Kaitlin had been searching for her next working student opportunity and had a gut feeling that Team Tate was the right fit. As fate would have it, Kaitlin was the highest bidder. Shortly thereafter, she went to work for Team Tate, first as a working student and today as an assistant trainer.
“I feel so fortunate to be part of such a great group of people, with such a high standard of training and horse care every day. It’s such great experience for me, and I love spending every day in the barn,” she beamed.
The 24-year-old North Carolina native has collected a long list of accolades, but is far from satisfied. “My goals are to start my own business out of my mom’s farm, Legend Hill Farm, in Rougemont, North Carolina, and to represent the United States in international competitions,” she said.
She acknowledges the support critical to her past and future success.
“I’m so thankful for my family, friends, trainers and clients who continue to support me while I chase my dreams. It’s so meaningful to have all of these great people in my corner,” she concluded.

About the writer: Katie Navarra is a professional writer based in Upstate New York. She has been a lifelong horse lover and competes in ranch horse events with her dun Quarter Horse mare.

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: dressage, kaitlin blythe, Katie Navarra

What you can read next

Talking About Faith, Books, Horses and Being Married to “Larry, the Cable Guy”
Keeping Her Wings
Canada’s Wesley Newlands Is Mapping a Course for Success

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Unbridled with Joe Norick! 🐎 Joe Norick stays Unbridled with Joe Norick! 🐎 Joe Norick stays busy with not one but two full-time jobs with companies that span the nation. The first is as a senior vice president for equine, farm and ranch clients with Alliant in West Palm Beach; the second, which he took on in October of 2022, is as the chief customer officer for HITS Shows. But Joe doesn’t care about titles. “I more consider myself the architect of what we’re creating here in the new HITS,” he said. Along with CEO Peter Englehart, Joe oversees all HITS Shows across the country—which is why he says lately it feels as though his home base has been American Airlines, traveling to each of the six unique HITS venues. “I love the fact that in Ocala we have so many beautiful paddocks, and over 500 acres that you can ride on and the horse can be a horse, and a horseman can be a horseman,” Joe said. “I love the beauty and charm that we have at our Chicago facility. I love the family aspect of Vermont. I love the high level of competition we have at both Del Mar and Saugerties, which we now call HITS Hudson Valley because of the amazing Hudson Valley. I love the tradition that we have in Virginia at our Culpepper facility. They all have something special.” Get to know Joe in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine! and never miss an unbridled by subscribing for just $14.95 A YEAR! Link in bio! 📸Photo by ESI
Growing up, Zayna Rizvi put fashion ahead of funct Growing up, Zayna Rizvi put fashion ahead of function when it came to her riding attire. “I would only ride my first pony, Buttons, in a princess outfit. I refused to wear regular riding clothes and only wanted to ride in my tutu,” she said. The 2021 Maclay Finals winner has since shed her tutu and these days can be found sporting breeches and boots as she tackles the jumper ring in the High Juniors, U25 series, the FEI classes in the two-star and three-star divisions and occasionally makes her way back into some equitation classes. Immersed in the equestrian life from the start, Zayna can be found, if she isn’t doing schoolwork, in the barn trying to refine her riding as she aims to move up the ranks in international competitions. To read more about Zayna head on over to our website. Link in bio! 📸Portraits by Melissa Fuller
Check out Biostar US for innovative supplements to Check out Biostar US for innovative supplements to support your horse’s gut health! With specific plants found in old English hedgerows, Hedgerow GI supports GI tract homeostasis, microbes, immune cells, metabolites, and the tight junctions of the gut. This exclusive blend provides dimensional support for gut homeostasis. ⏩Link: https://www.biostarus.com/products/hedgerow-gi #biostarus #wholefoodforhorses #horses #equestrians #horsecare #equinehealth #hedgerowgi #hedgerows #horseguthealth #horsesupplements
Olivia Williams, who started her riding career in Olivia Williams, who started her riding career in a town with a population of less than 200 people, has now competed at some of the top equestrian destinations all over the country. A sophomore in college, she grew up in San Francisco where she spent the majority of her career riding with Holly and Elizabeth “Lumpy” Kilham at Kilham farms in Nicasio, California. She competed up and down the West Coast, showing everywhere from Desert International Horse Park to the Silicon Valley Equestrian Festival. While living in San Francisco, she got the ride on Irocco Blue S, barn name Rocco. Little did she know at the time that she and the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood would travel the country together. Olivia and Rocco’s partnership has grown over the years, and she said that no matter where her career takes her, she can’t envision going into the ring without him. When they first met, Rocco and Olivia were both a little green and still learning the ropes of the 1.40m classes.But just a few years after Olivia starting riding Rocco, they now boast an impressive resume together, including competing in the North American Youth Championships (NAYC) and finishing 10th in the Prix des States. At the NAYC, Olivia’s team finished with a bronze medal, and she finished in sixth place individually. After the championships, Olivia had a lot of decisions to make. She graduated from high school in 2022 and had to decide between two very different life paths: a career in horses or a college education. She managed to find a path that has worked for her throughout her freshman year. While she moved away from home to go to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, Rocco moved to Florida to live with Andrew and Alex Welles. Every other week, Olivia flies to Florida to compete her horse. Dying to read more??? Head on over to our website. Link in bio! 📸Photos by Melissa Fuller, melissafullerphotography33.mypixieset.com #Sidelines #sidelines2023 #sidelinesmagazine #magazine #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Holly Ann Chaney
    EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY SPECIALIST Wellington resident for 20+ years Dedicated to client satisfaction & results Longtime member of the equine community glash REAL ESTATE HOLLY ANN CHANEY Broker Associate 13501 South Shore Boulevard #102 Office: 561.653.6195 Mobile: 561.719.0828 Holly.chaney@Elliman.com Douglas Elliman

    [Read more]

  • SALLY EDELMAN SLATER

    Specializing in Luxury & Equestrian Properties

    Servicing Westchester, Duchess and Putnam Counties in New York and Fairfield County in Connecticut Douglas Elliman Real Estate 914-584-0137/sally.slater@elliman.com www.elliman.com/newyork/associate/612-a-563-w2295/sally-slater

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Woodside Recognizes the Best in the West
  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Conor Swail Was the Best Bet in $15,000 CSI2* Markel Insurance Welcome at San Juan Capistrano International
  • Lillie Keenan Leads in CHF68,000 South Coast Plaza Welcome Speed at San Juan Capistrano International CSIO5*
  • McLain Ward Wins CSIO5* Longines Grand Prix at San Juan Capistrano International

Category

Recent Posts

  • Zayna Rizvi: Horses from Family to Finals

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller &...
  • Samantha Wolfram: Finding Success in America and Overseas

    By Juliana Chapman Portraits by Kirsten Hannah ...
  • Cedar Potts-Warner: At Liberty and Beyond

    Story and Portraits by Jennifer DeMaro   P...
  • Jordan Melfi: Turning a Secret Horse Life Into a Career

    By Veronica Green-Gott Portraits by Shelly Cart...
  • Olivia Williams: From University of Notre Dame to European Dreamin’

    By Veronica Green-Gott Portraits by Melissa Ful...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!