#KRISTEN

In My Boots: Return of the crossover challenge

December 11, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

This week Kristen Kovatch trades in her western saddle and reining patterns for an English saddle and jumping course to compete in an IHSA alumni class. (more…)

In My Boots: Freestylin’

December 4, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

Lights, camera… freestyle! Alfred University’s freestyle reining night is a big hit each December and this year was no exception. Kristen Kovatch explains the concept and gives some tips for choreographing one yourself. (more…)

In My Boots: Starting from the bottom

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

This week Kristen Kovatch, western coach for the Alfred University Equestrian Team, expresses her excitement about this year’s bumper crop of beginner walk-jog riders. (more…)

In My Boots: Go east for western

November 13, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTEN1 Comment

This week our in-house cowgirl Kristen Kovatch reports back from Equine Affaire 2012, where she shopped, soaked in education, and witnessed some displays of horsemanship you truly have to see to believe. (more…)

In My Boots: Know your cowboy

November 6, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

Not all cowboys are built alike. From California Vaqueros to Texas cowboys to natural horsemanship practitioners, Kristen Kovatch explains that there are a hundred little variations between regions in America alone. (more…)

In My Boots: Brokeback Mountain

October 30, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

Broken withers? There’s an injury you don’t hear about every day. Kristen Kovatch got her introduction this week when her Quarter Horse came in from the field with five fractured vertebrae. (more…)

In My Boots: A week in the life

October 23, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

As an equestrian team coach at Alfred University, Kristen Kovatch’s existence is a whirlwind of nonstop activity. This week, she guides us through the lead-up to the team’s first show (which they totally rocked, btw). (more…)

In My Boots: In the driver’s seat

October 16, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

On paper, Kristen Kovatch is a trainer and coach of Alfred University’s western equestrian team. In reality, however, this “cowgirl” wears many hats. Here’s the story of her latest endeavor… (more…)

In My Boots: Beginner’s luck

October 9, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTEN2 Comments

With the help of her Alfred University students, HN’s in-house cowgirl Kristen Kovatch illustrates some common (and some just plain hilarious) beginner western riding mistakes. (more…)

In My Boots: All tacked up or, why my horse is wearing so much gear

October 2, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

In her continuing quest to enlighten us English folk about the mysteries of western riding, Kristen Kovatch offers this explanation. (more…)

In My Boots: Mad hatters

September 25, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

Not all cowboy hats are created equal, explains Horse Nation’s official western columnist Kristen Kovatch. She walks us through a few basic considerations of style and care. (more…)

In My Boots: Cowhorsin’ Around

September 18, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

Reined cowhorse, team sorting, cutting… it all sounds like a blast. This week, columnist Kristen Kovatch confirms our suspicions that, yep, being a cowgirl is as fun as it’s cracked up to be. (more…)

In My Boots: Size matters (sometimes)

September 11, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTEN, #WESTERN5 Comments

What’s the ideal height of a western horse? HN’s in-house cowgirl Kristen Kovatch explains that it has less to do with rider stature than you might think. (more…)

In My Boot: The O’Connors, cross-training

August 14, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTEN2 Comments

Our in-house cowgirl Kristen Kovatch takes a look back at Karen and David O’Connors’ infamous discipline switch-up at Rolex in 2011. (more…)

In My Boots: Work it, girl

August 7, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

Lights, camera… This week, HN’s in-house cowgirl Kristen Kovatch recounts her recent experience of being filmed while working a cattle drive.

(more…)

In My Boots: It’s boots and chaps and cowboy hats…

July 31, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

…spurs and latigos. After four days of immersion in British-based Olympic eventing, Kristen Kovatch transports us to a very different world–and they call the thing a rodeo. (more…)

In My Boots: Big fish, small pond

July 24, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

“I had this show in the bag,” Kristen Kovatch thought, going into the ring at a recent horse show. Famous last words, every time… (more…)

In My Boots: Cowhorse deconstructed

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

This week, Kristen Kovatch takes us inside the world of reined cowhorses, breaking down a video of her own runs at a recent show. (more…)

In My Boots: OK is OK

July 3, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTENLeave a comment

Kristen Kovatch returns from last week’s Interscholastic Equestrian Association National Championships with a white ribbon for her team and a renewed sense of what it means to be a coach. (more…)

In My Boots: Derby Party

June 25, 2012Leslie WylieUncategorized#IN MY BOOTS, #KRISTEN4 Comments

Oklahoma City or bust! Kristen Kovatch prepares her team of New York youth for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association’s western national championships, to be held this week during the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City. (more…)

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: 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…)