2021 Para-Equestrian Dressage Fund for Visually Impaired and Blind Riders Grant Recipient: Kailey Cowart

Kailey used her grant funding from the TDF Para-Equestrian Dressage Fund for Visually Impaired and Blind Riders to train with Kai Handt at the North Texas Equestrian Center. 

My experience at North Texas Equestrian Center was phenomenal. I rode two different horses. I rode a horse named Sensation from my first day of training through November. I started riding Hans because I was told Sensation bucked someone off. I was almost bucked off of Sensation. Hans likes to go go go. I’m glad Kai put me on Hans because I have enjoyed riding him more.

Kai is fantastic, he told me that I was doing well. He could see my determination. Kai also said he would like me to come to one of his clinics. I was surprised he said that because I didn’t even know I was ready to go to a clinic. 

We focused on keeping my upper body back and even though my hands are near the saddle, I worked to keep them lower. During my lessons, I trotted a lot. We did many 20-meter circles. I also worked on the concept of keeping the horse's head bent while trotting. 

Thank you for providing the funds for this opportunity!