Kate Poulin (OH)
When I received the email in December 2023 stating that I had been chosen for this grant, I was thrilled! I was excited for the opportunity to further my education with Carinoso, thanks to the generous donors from The Dressage Foundation.
I had a plan and couldn’t wait to get started… Unfortunately, in February 2024, those plans were derailed when I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer—a shock so profound, I still struggle to find the words to express it. I had always been healthy and fit, and suddenly, that part of my identity was gone. It was a crushing realization. Needless to say, my ambitions for showing Carinoso that summer were tempered by surgeries, chemotherapy, and the many physical and mental side effects that followed.
Carinoso has such a wonderful temperament and is quite easy to sit, so he was one of the few horses I could continue training during my cancer journey. I adjusted my training plans to accommodate my body’s limitations and remained eager to move forward.
My lessons were primarily with Christoph Hess from Germany, whom I’ve worked with on and off since I was a teenager. Christoph has an incredible depth of knowledge in classical dressage and is a powerful motivator with infectious positivity—exactly what we needed. His appreciation for the Spanish breed gives him unique insight into how to keep Carinoso happy and eager to learn.
The focus of our training was returning to basics to improve Carinoso’s connection and contact in the bridle. Christoph had me incorporate plenty of stretching between collected movements to encourage suppleness. At times, Carinoso can get quick in his trot tempo—a common trait of the breed—so Christoph had me use a lot of shoulder-in work to help him engage more effectively. We also worked on combining passage and extended trot on large circles to improve engagement. Christoph’s teaching style really resonates with me; his clear communication allows me to get the maximum benefit out of every lesson.
I’m happy to share that 2025 is a much better year—I am cancer-free! Although my training journey with Carinoso took longer than expected, I’m proud of where we are today. Not only is he more responsive to my aids, but I’ve also improved my communication with him because I now better understand the gaps in his training and how to address them.
I'm especially proud to report that I showed Carinoso in the Intermediate I this past weekend, and we scored a 68%!
I’m so grateful to the generous donors at The Dressage Foundation for making this grant possible. Being chosen for the grant was a vital confidence booster at a time when I needed it most. It helped keep me focused on future possibilities during some very dark moments. Thank you, The Dressage Foundation, for your support and belief in me.
