meet katrina!
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Katrina has a great ability to see potential, her optimism and firm belief in the inherent nature of the horse allows her to look deeper than many to unearth it, finding great satisfaction in this excavational process all the way up to the final reveal! Sharing these transformations with you is one of her greatest pleasures! |
A non-judgmental attitude enables her to, seemingly effortlessly, shape the best parts of each horse's personality to her advantage and creates a low pressure and supportive learning environment for human students, enabling you to be the best you can be for your horse! She believes everyone can benefit from the basics no matter the age, level or discipline.
From the first meeting her investment into each combination is felt and continues long after home time for many of her students, human and horse - whether that's post training, clinic or coaching. Treating your horse as one of her own goes without saying during onsite programs, her background in equine rehabilitation facilitates connection and attention to detail. She prefers see you later over goodbye and loves catching up with the latest progress of adoptees far and wide!
Like many of the horses she has worked with, her training may not conform to traditional methods, which didn't quite 'make sense' to her; this motivated her to seek alternative approaches and think well and truly outside the box, enabling a greater appreciation for individuality in horse or human and their optimal learning style.
This approach has conflicted with others at times, but her purpose - for the horse - keeps her steadfast and her love for information sharing means questions are welcomed, you will feel at ease as you continue building your knowledge base and you (and your horse) will benefit from her knack to continually break things down into bite sized pieces and observe from different perspectives.
A background and keen interest in the science of the horse has helped Katrina form effective training strategies, drawing on her extensive experience in rehabilitation, exercise physiology, biomechanics and behaviour. Her focus remains on longevity rather than quick fixes, showing you how to enjoy the journey instead of only the goal and her commitment to continued education and self development reflect her passion for not only her profession but her vocation...keep reading for an insight into her journey so far!!
From the first meeting her investment into each combination is felt and continues long after home time for many of her students, human and horse - whether that's post training, clinic or coaching. Treating your horse as one of her own goes without saying during onsite programs, her background in equine rehabilitation facilitates connection and attention to detail. She prefers see you later over goodbye and loves catching up with the latest progress of adoptees far and wide!
Like many of the horses she has worked with, her training may not conform to traditional methods, which didn't quite 'make sense' to her; this motivated her to seek alternative approaches and think well and truly outside the box, enabling a greater appreciation for individuality in horse or human and their optimal learning style.
This approach has conflicted with others at times, but her purpose - for the horse - keeps her steadfast and her love for information sharing means questions are welcomed, you will feel at ease as you continue building your knowledge base and you (and your horse) will benefit from her knack to continually break things down into bite sized pieces and observe from different perspectives.
A background and keen interest in the science of the horse has helped Katrina form effective training strategies, drawing on her extensive experience in rehabilitation, exercise physiology, biomechanics and behaviour. Her focus remains on longevity rather than quick fixes, showing you how to enjoy the journey instead of only the goal and her commitment to continued education and self development reflect her passion for not only her profession but her vocation...keep reading for an insight into her journey so far!!
Growing up in suburban UK, Katrina was an anomaly in her family, beginning her obsession after feeding the ponies at the local riding school and learning to ride at just 4 years old, something her grandparents thought would be a passing phase! As a teenager every moment of free time was dedicated to being around horses and volunteering for her local Riding for the Disabled Association. At 16 she used all her savings to purchase her first horse, a 12 year old Trakehner mare, written off by many as too damaged, both mentally and physically. Katrina accepted the challenge, successfully rehabilitating her first horse, her beloved mare, against the odds.
Her scientific inclination led her to follow her equine ambitions academically, completing 8 years of study, focused on equine exercise physiology, biomechanics, behaviour & nutrition and graduating with several qualifications in the equine field, including a BSc and MSc and earning a scientific journal publication. In 2005 she earned a spot in the prestigious Kentucky Equine Research internship program and moved to their facility in Kentucky USA, being one of only 3 successful candidates, handpicked from around the globe. Here she continued both practical and theoretical aspects of equine exercise physiology, biomechanics & nutrition, participating first hand in research trials, including those of several innovative supplements still widely used internationally and achieving recognition in numerous published papers for her contribution.
One year later she was recommended as a candidate to join the team at Caddel Equine Rehabilitation Centre, where she began managing a specialised 60-stall equine facility, receiving post-operative patients from two well established equine hospitals in Lexington, KY. Here she worked alongside some of the worlds most renowned veterinarians, farriers, nutritionists and physical therapists to develop and modify rehab and biosecurity protocols, still in use today to enhance healing and promote the successful return to work of our elite equine athletes.
Almost a decade later, Katrina returned full circle to the facility where her professional journey began, managing the same facility and internship program that she had brought her to the USA.
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In 2012 she made her final intercontinental move, to Australia, managing a Warmblood breeding facility where her involvement with a wide range of breeding and youngstock allowed her to incorporate all she had learned into the training principles she advocates today, from this a dedicated training facility was founded and Cadence Horse Training was born!
She now resides in Melbourne with her partner and four-legged family members of all sizes! Including her horses, dogs, cat and pet cows! |
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why cadence??
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A horse with cadence is both athletic and light of foot, a feel of floating and the appearance of dancing. It's this magical unison that Katrina recalls from her childhood as she sits with her face honed on the television, squinting as she tries to get a glimpse of the invisible aids and language between the horse and rider. The glossary of dressage defines cadence as "the marked accentuation of the rhythm and (musical) beat that is a result of a steady and suitable tempo harmonizing with a springy impulsion." "For me it's about developing and enhancing the horse's natural movement (and behaviours), rather than subduing them, teaching them HOW to utilise their curiosity, energy and power in both a functional and productive way." |
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