Have you ever thought ......

About Kate Fenner

Kate has been around horses all of her life and has wide and varied experience in competing and training around the world. She began riding as a very small child in Crookwell, country NSW, and later took her horse (an off the track thoroughbred) to school with her in Armidale. Kate then spent many years riding, training and competing around the world from Hong Kong (dressage), UK (dressage, show jumping and eventing), Singapore and Malaysia (dressage, show jumping and polo), to the USA (dressage and John Lyons Certification Program). She completed her Bachelor of Equine Science in 2013 and a research honours project in 2015, is a qualified Equestrian Australia Coach, and has British Horse Society Instructor qualifications, Pony Club Chief Instructor for many years, Working Equitation Judge and Instructor and has extensive competing and judging experience in Australia, Europe and the USA.  

Demonstration Day at Kangadoo

Preparing for a dressage and show jumping competition in Malaysia

Walking the course in Malaysia, fourth in line

Kate playing Chaucitta in the De Silva Cup Tournament (second from left, green helmet).

Before leaving Singapore to spend a couple of years in the USA, Kate decided that if she ever could she would try to buy this little Argentinean polo mare, Chaucitta (pictured above). She had become very fond of her, having ridden and played polo on her often and knew her polo career was coming to an end.

After moving to USA Kate looked for a clinician who combined performance with practical horsemanship and discovered John Lyons. His Certification course was lengthy and halfway across the country but Kate decided to do it. Not only did the course entail living in Colorado for 7 months but Kate had to take two horses with her - one broken-in and one not.

Naturally, Chaucitta was her first choice! If you are going to fly a horse all the way from Singapore to America, you might as well bring two, right? She rang her friend Roz Tippett, a dressage judge in Western Australia, to see if she had any youngsters available. She had an unbroken 3 year old Warmblood filly that suited perfectly.

The Warmblood was flown to Singapore, picked up the polo pony and both came on to the USA.

Read more about the Certification Course here.

Josh Lyons, Chaucitta and Kate in Parachute, Colorado

After completing the course (and finishing at the top of the group) in Colorado with John and Josh Lyons, Kate returned to the USA in 2003 when invited to attend a 'Select Trainer' Clinic with John. To this day, Kate remains the only Australian to have completed the world renowned Certification Programme.

Whilst the merit of the Certification Course was unsurpassable, it is the experience of the hundreds of horses that Kate already had together with the variety of disciplines she trained and competed, and the hundreds of horses that Kate has encountered since then (in USA, UK, Asia and Australia) makes Kandoo Equine what it is today.

Kate returned to the UK at the end of 2001 and set up Equine Perfection, a horse training facility based at her property in Kent.

The stables at Nizels Hoath

Chaucitta demonstrated throughout England

UK wasn't all mud and rain - a gorgeous day at the Guards polo

One of the most important considerations when choosing a trainer or instructor is finding someone who is a good teacher. It is all very well for the trainer to be able to get your horse to perform but they must also be able to teach you how to teach the horse (a concept that has been uppermost in Kate's mind as she has been producing the Kandoo Online Training Club, the training DVD series and distance training courses). Kate is a well-qualified teacher, trainer and coach - Equestrian Coaching at Charles Sturt University (high distinction), Chief Instructor of the Singapore Branch of the Pony Club, Instructor Lions Share Farm, CT, USA (children and adults), BHS level 1, UK and in more general terms - TEFL (British Council, Hong Kong) children and adults in addition to a Montessori qualification, UK. She has been invited to teach at Charles Sturt University (a breaking-in clinic) and major demonstrations in the UK and Australia. Kate has a bachelor of Equine Science (2013) and has recently begun her honours research project - an investigation into emotional level in training and optimizing learning.

 

Starting a 7 year old ASH stallion under saddle

The beautiful Texas Jack (Australian Brumby) - best teacher ever!

Photo courtesy of Highlife Magazine

While competing in a Rolex International Dressage and Show Jumping Event in Asia, Kate realized that there must be a better way. She was in the winner's circle but she was sure that her horse's performance would improve if it were more willing, relaxed and really understood its job a little better.

Rolex International Dressage, Singapore

Competing in Asia

Kate played polo regularly while living in Asia, was chief instructor of the Singapore Branch of the Pony Club and was instrumental in setting up a riding school that brought riding to the local residents (Sentosa Riding School - now very sadly under a casino!) of Singapore.

Kate's son Oliver (looking frightfully unhappy - probably not had his roti parata for breakfast yet) heading out to do a little stick and ball on 'Chukkabuko'.

Chaucitta is on the left and Saskatchewan (Australian Warmblood) is next to her

Cooling off in the dam at John Lyons' property in Colorado

Quarter Horse colt Kate purchased in USA

Nizels Hoath, Sevenoaks, Kent, UK, home of Equine Perfection

Freezing on a photo shoot for 'Your Horse' magazine

Demonstration at Kangadoo with ASH colt 'Wellsdale Kandoo It All'

Having been out of Australia for 17 years, Kate decided it was time to come home.

After returning home Kate founded Kandoo Equine and has been conducting clinics and courses from her property, Kangadoo, near Goulburn and throughout NSW. She also regularly travels to both Europe and Asia to deliver clinics and courses.

Kate is regularly invited to judge at Agricultural and breed shows

Kate's Honours research project focused on the emotional level in training and engaging the horse before a lesson in order to optimize learning outcomes.

Various measurements are employed in the study including rein tension, heart rate and heart rate variability, eye temperature, behaviour and time.

Measuring stress levels during training

Grabbing a latte at a Field Day Demonstration