#IN MY BOOTS

In My Boots: Life lessons from Mclain Ward

June 5, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTEN1 Comment

Kristen Kovatch learned a lot about her own sport from watching Ward compete in the Olympic show-jumping team observation event at Devon over the weekend. (more…)

In My Boots: Western you’ve never heard of, part III

May 29, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

Kristen Kovatch wraps up her three-part series on lesser-known western sports with a spotlight on “Packhorse Races.” Who knew? (more…)

In My Boots: Western you’ve never heard of, part II

May 22, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTEN, #WESTERN3 Comments

In her second installation of this three part series, Kristen Kovatch shines a light on the little-known sport of “Indoor Mountain Trail.” (more…)

In My Boots: Western you’ve never heard of, part I

May 15, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTSLeave a comment

You’ve heard of western pleasure and barrel racing, but what about cowboy mounted shooting? In this three-part series, Kristen Kovatch introduces us to lesser-known western sports. (more…)

In My Boots: The Learning Journey

May 8, 2012abbygibbonUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTEN1 Comment

Kristen Kovatch coached her team to 7th place at IHSA Nationals, but a season’s worth of sportsmanship and growth–for students and coach alike–meant more than a purple ribbon. (more…)

In My Boots: Setting the bar

May 1, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTEN5 Comments

Interscholastic western team coach Kristen Kovatch’s students often find themselves up against some stiff–and well-funded–competition. Recently, her team beat the odds to reign victorious at Zone Championships. (more…)

In My Boots: Blurring the lines

April 17, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTEN2 Comments

Western, English… who says you have to pick a side? A horseperson is a horseperson, says Kristen Kovatch, and we could all stand to benefit from a little cross-training. (more…)

In My Boots: 2012 western fashion forecast

April 10, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#FASHION, #IN MY BOOTSLeave a comment

Is glitter in or out? What about fringe? What about glittery fringe? Kristen Kovatch doles out some sound western show-ring fashion advice. (more…)

In My Boots: Learning the ropes

April 3, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTEN4 Comments

As far as Phys. Ed. courses go, Alfred University’s “Western IV” sounds like a blast. Especially, Kristen Kovatch explains, when it comes to this particular segment of the class. (more…)

In My Boots: The other Ocala

March 27, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IHSA, #IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTEN5 Comments

While perhaps best known for its English riding exploits, Ocala also has a booming Western scene. Last weekend it hosted the IHSA Semi-final Championships, which Kristen Kovatch attended as Alfred University’s western coach. (more…)

In My Boots: It’s about to get western up in here

March 20, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

Kristen Kovatch has spent the past five summers working a ranch in Wyoming. In the process, she learned a thing or two about what “western” really means. (more…)

In My Boots: Ranch horse, show horse

March 13, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#AQHA, #IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

Not unlike the hunter world’s “return” to its foxhunting roots via hunter derbies, the Quarter Horse world is taking its show horses back to the ranch. Kristen Kovatch explains. (more…)

In My Boots: The crossover challenge

March 6, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTEN, #WESTERN3 Comments

In an equestrian spin on Save the Last Dance, columnist Kristen Kovatch shares her experience of transforming a hunter princess into a reining queen. (more…)