Vicki Wilson says Kentucky is a special horse. PHOTO/John Stone
Kristin Edge meets the Northland woman and her Kentucky horse who together won the main prize - and hearts - at the glitzy and gritty American equestrian event, "Road to the Horse". Photos by John Stone
White sandy beaches and cattle musters in steep native bush are a long way from the rolling ranch land of America's land-locked state of Kentucky.
But Kentucky, the bay-coloured equine import from the states, is loving his new Northland home.
He's already experienced swimming in the surf at Whananaki and chasing stock through bush on challenging Helena Bay hills.
Equestrian extraordinaire Vicki Wilson, from Hukerenui, and stocky quarterhorse Kentucky first met in March this year at a glitzy, gritty American equestrian event, Road to the Horse.
The then three-year-old had not been handled and was accustomed to running with the herd at Ranch 6666, in a 10,000 acre paddock.
Vicki was one of four competitors who had just three hours over three days to tame a wild mustang and claim the $142,000 prize purse. It is one of the most coveted titles of all those offered in equestrian sport, equivalent to Badminton in the eventing world and the US Open in golf.
Vicki, an accomplished show jumper in New Zealand, was the only competitor with a background in English riding with the others all trained in Western riding. She was the first English style rider to compete in the 14 year history of the event.
And at first, when the riders got to look at their potential mounts, Vicki made a note against number "12" as boring.
But at the final viewing before the event Vicki changed her mind and opted for the bay with a kind eye and settled attitude.
What she didn't tell anyone was she had injured her hip only days before the big event when she was knocked off a horse.
But the injuries didn't stop there. In the first session, once she had chosen Kentucky, she dislocated her shoulder. It was "clunked" back into place and, in pain, she continued.
Vicki is no stranger to gaining the confidence of wild horses, having tamed and trained Kaimanawa horses in the television series Keeping up with the Kaimanawas.
At Kentucky, It was a fairytale ending when crowd favourite Vicki won and she made the decision to bring home the 14.3 hand high "little trier".
After nearly six weeks quarantine in America then in Karaka, Auckland, Kentucky found the green grass of Hukerenui in July.
He hit the ground trotting and is so comfortable he's inviting himself inside the Wilson family home and helping himself to carrots in the fridge.
There is something very special about Vicki and her way with horses. There's no panic, no rush to teach them.
For her it's about making learning an adventure and wanting her equine charges to be curious.
And it seems this approach is working well with Kentucky.
Even if you don't know much about horses, you know you are watching something special when watching Vicki in action.
Without a saddle or bridle and just using the combination of the weight of her seat, pressure of her legs and a dressage whip, she has Kentucky cantering around the sand arena.
Walking, trotting, cantering and completing a flying change - a difficult manoeuvre done when changing directions at a canter - reversing and moving sideways. It's only the 25th time Kentucky has been ridden, including the three times at the American competition.
Each lesson is only 15 to 20 minutes long for him.
"To me this is an age where he wants to learn and is very curious. I don't want to crush him mentally or physically ... for him it's all about adventures."
While Kentucky is not naturally brave, Vicki says he tries hard.
"He is a very, very patient horse and he wants to learn. Once you teach him something he tries really hard to impress you."
Vicki brings Kentucky to a halt.
She gently taps the horse's shoulder and says "down". She repeats the command again and Kentucky starts to circle, like a dog does before settling down to sleep.
Kentucky's from legs fold, his body slowly dropping to the ground. In seconds he's lying on the ground with Vicki sitting on top.
It's just the fourth time he's been asked to do this, but it doesn't faze him.
"I think he's going to be quiet special," says Vicki as she rewards the gelding with a treat.
Vicki steers away from tying up young horses like most people do when they are breaking them in.
"It's about letting them understand what is happening. It's about being black and white, consistent, and teaching them a process.
"It's like being a teacher you want the students to want to come back and keep learning. It's the same with the horses, if you keep it interesting they keep coming back."
But hectic days filled with riding will soon come to a halt for Vicki as she recovers from surgery on her right hip and left shoulder. Due to have the operations this week, for the following month she expects to be wheelchair-bound, and out of the saddle for three months.
Vicki has made the tough decision to sell some of her top grand prix showjumping horses as she will not be able to compete on the New Zealand show jumping circuit over summer. Her sister Amanda will take over some of the other horses.
But come December and Vicki and Kentucky will hit the road and tour New Zealand on "Kentucky's Journey".
Their adventures to incredible, iconic tourism spots around the country will be recorded for a two part documentary. Schools and old folks' homes are on the schedule. She says the documentary will screen online and will showcase to the world New Zealand's spectacular scenery.
The second part will capture the duo's return to America, where Kentucky gained fame as a result of the Road to the Horse competition.
Vicki has already been named to compete again in the 2018 Road to the Horse competition but instead of taming one wild mustang, this time there will be two. The three other competitors are men.
Asked how she will train for the demanding competition given her recovery time of three months with no riding, ``I've trained for these event's all my life," she says.
And if she wins again there may be another equine import heading Northland's way.
