Kristin Schmolze was born in 1983 in New Jersey where she has remained to operate her business as a professional eventer and horseman. She began riding at the age of 5 and was bitten by the "eventing bug" by the age of 12. Her love of horses and the sport of eventing grew quickly into a passion that would eventually shape into a successful professional career. She has been very lucky from an early age to have trained with some of the best coaches the equine world has to offer, including long time trainer and friend, Marilyn Payne (world renown judge and official who will be officiating the 2008 Olympic Games in Bejing).
By age 18, Kristin had completed her first CCI** at Radnor Hunt International finishing in the top 10! She then decided that this was only the beginning of the International career that she wanted, and made the choice to head for sunnier climates that winter to train for her move up to the Advanced level. She went to work with Barcelona Olympic Team member, Stephen Bradley, and Olympic eventing legend, Denny Emerson.
In 2003, at the age of 20, Kristin completed a very successful year at the highest levels of the sport. Including two CCI*** three-day events—Foxhall Three-day (finishing 17th out of more than 9 starters) and Fair Hill International (finishing 2nd to US Olympic rider Karen O’Conner)—where she was the top placing Young Rider at both, receiving the United States Equestrian Team’s Markham Trophy, twice! Kristin was awarded the USET Amanda Warrington Fund Grant. This is a training grant in memory of Amanda Warrington, a wonderful rider who was always an inspiration to Kristin growing up. Kristin was also a member of the gold medal winning team and the individual silver medalist at the North American Young Rider Championships held at Bromont in Canada. Kristin was awarded the prestigious title of being named the United States Eventing Association’s Young Rider of the Year for 2003.
Kristin was just getting started. With a string of very talented horses, and quite a few young prospects to bring up the levels, she continued success in 2004 with many top placings at all levels. She was awarded the Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Memorial Trophy. This award is presented each year to a Young Rider, age 16-21 who best exemplifies the idea of horsemanship and sportsmanship.
Kristin’s achievements were noticed by the US Equestrian Team, and she has twice been named to the training list. As a result, she has been able to work with the United States Team chef d'equippe, Captain Mark Phillips. By 2005, Kristin was aiming at her first CCI**** event at Rolex Kentucky. She prepared herself for this big step in her career by training with Olympic silver medalist, Kim Severson. Not only did she complete beautifully, but finished in 12th place Internationally and 7th Nationally!
At this point, Kristin was starting to develop a growing business for herself along with an accomplished competition career. Kristin and her family then found a piece of property in lovely Tewksbury, New Jersey, where they would build their very own farm from scratch. Now with a facility to build, business to maintain and a vigorous competition schedule, life remains challenging but above all, fun. In 2007 Kristin started training with Olympic medalist and USEA Rider of the year, Phillip Dutton. Always wanting to learn more, Kristin feels ‘Phillip has stepped up her riding to a whole new level’. Which showed when she completed two CCI**** events that year, Rolex Kentucky, and Burghley Horse Trials in England! Now, the International dream has successfully started and Kristin has plans to continue her quest to be a top International competitor.
