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Kati Vrbicek

I am in my fourth year at Brock University in St. Catharines, completing an honours degree in Biology.

I have spent a couple of summers working at ZOOZ (www.zooz.ca) in Stevensville. I work with the small mammals and birds of prey.

My parents - Debbie and Ivan - worked with horses growing up. All my life I have had horses and I wouldn't want it any other way! My dad has trained me up to the Grand Prix and World Cup levels.

 

Flying the Birds of Prey at ZOOZ

Igor the Turkey Vulture

 

I started riding when I was two years old with my mom on our pony - Tubby. I was showing by the age of six, on my brothers' horse - Pee-Wee. My dream of having my own grey pony came true on my eighth birthday. Cricket was two years old, unbroken and high spirited - my first project "horse".

 

Ace on the bank in the Hamilton Grand Prix - 1998

Cricket and I won many championships on the Trillium 3'9" jumper circuit and I also rode a number of our other horses very successfully on the Future and 'A' circuits. This taught me to be a very versitile rider and I gained valuable experience on each horse.

 

2001 North American Young Riders Championships
Ace - 4th Individual Speed Competition

When we first put Ace under saddle, we knew we had a super star in the making. In 1997, Ace and I entered our first competition. Ace acheived immediate success in the jumper ring and moved up the ranks quickly.


My biggest thrill with Ace was entering and winning my first Grand Prix at the Fox Run 'A' Show. I competed against a number of professionals and thought there was no way I could win. I made it to the jump off with ten other competitors and was the first to set the speed. This win encouraged me to try harder than ever. In 2002, competing in my first World Cup Qualifier and doing both WEG Trials at Palgrave was my proudest moment ever!

My current mounts include Ace's half siblings - Austin, Eko and Edi - all out of our Trakehner mare Avena Sativa. In the 2003 show season, Austin did us proud by being Reserve Champion in the Canadian Marshall and Sterling League and also was awarded his second Horse of the Year title - Amateur Owner Jumper Champion!

In 2006, my newest mount - a Canadian Sport Horse by Rio Grande- Rio's Shadow - competed successfully up to 1.2m. Edi competed successfully up to 1.45m. Eko also started showing this year in the six year old Canadian Jumper Development Series.

I love working with all types of horses with their own unique personalities. I particularly enjoy training them while they are young. This gives me the chance to start them off right, and bring them directly into the world of show jumping. It is important to develop a special trusting bond with each horse. However, I think the secret to my success is my determination to win!