Classic Eventing Nation

Some of the most unsung heroes of eventing are the significant others who support us riders. They put up with long hours at the barn, dirty cars, and are there for us– win or lose. Ken Heskestad, husband to Taren Hoffos of Copper Meadows Eventing, did his first recognized event at Twin Rivers in July, and might I say has officially turned to the dark side (eventing)!

Just look at that smile! Photo courtesy of Ride On Photo.

Before Ken and Taren met, Ken had planned a vacation and had his sights set on doing a trail ride – but not the beginner ride, he wanted to do the more fun, fancier, and exciting ride. So, he started taking lessons at a jumper barn in order to prepare. He took as many lessons as he could on whatever horses he could and realized that “It’s just the best,” he said.

Taren is a professional who campaigns at the upper levels with her string of horses, basing out of her family’s Copper Meadows in Ramona, CA.

Fast forward… Ken and Taren met, moved in together, and Ken started riding some of her horses. Over the past four years, Ken rode at Copper Meadows’s unrecognized events, but never expressed any interest in showing.

“But then, we went to the Kentucky 3-Day this year…” Taren said.

For those that may not know, besides seeing some of the best 5* riders compete, Kentucky is also amazing for shopping. Naturally, Ken got a show coat, an air vest, and tall boots. “I told him that now he had no excuse; he had to show. He was fully kitted out to go to an event!” Taren explained. Ken laughed and said “I’m a high school teacher, so my philosophy has always been to spend money on lessons because I’m not very good. What’s the use in showing if you’re not very good?”

Ken, Taren, and their pups. Photo courtesy of Ken Heskestad.

Thank goodness for the sales at Kentucky — even Ken’s tall boots were made for Doug Payne, but didn’t fit. “They gave me a wild discount because they were for him, but they fit me!”

Now, with all the equipment and no excuses, Ken set his sights on his first recognized event. “I knew we were going up to Rebecca Farm, so I put it out there and said that maybe my first show should be Rebecca. Taren said absolutely not,” Ken said.

Taren laughed as she explained that she told him he had to do at least one other show before experiencing a bigger one like Rebecca Farm. “And I’ve never ridden the horse off property; I didn’t even know how he trailered,” Ken added. Kudos to you, Ken, for setting your goals high!

While Taren is Ken’s number one supporter when it comes to riding, she’s not his trainer. “When Ken was starting to ride, I would teach him, but I felt like I was wearing too many hats.”

“She said, ‘I’m not breaking up with you, I just don’t want to coach you,’” Ken laughed. “She’s an amazing trainer, so it was a little tough.” Now, Ken mainly rides with Haley Dwight.

They decided that Twin Rivers would be Ken’s first outing, where he competed in starter on All Squared Away, aka SquarePants. SquarePants was available for Ken to ride often, so after Ken started riding him more frequently, they decided he would be Ken’s to ride.

When I asked Ken how the competition went, he was quiet and then said with a chuckle “I think I got about as many penalties as you can without getting disqualified.”

Through the water for Ken and SquarePants. Photo courtesy of Ride On Photo.

Taren explained that SquarePants is a really sweet horse and tries really hard, but isn’t the best learner. “Sometimes we call him ‘50 First Dates’ because you sort of have to teach him the same thing every day.”

They completed their dressage test with some pizzazz, to say the least. After a schooling round of show jumping the previous day (where SquarePants stopped at almost every single jump), Ken knew he had to ride tough and confidently. After two stops at fence one, he realized he needed to get over this jump if he even wanted to go cross country. Ken made it happen and ended up completing the rest of the round with ease.

Taren’s advice to Ken for cross country was to get out of the start box, get over fence one, and then it’ll be fantastic. “We had the plan and the warmup was great. We get out of the box, got over one and I was like ‘Yay!’ Then, we get to fence two and he just dirty stopped,” Ken explained.

After stopping again at fence three, they got rolling. “He forgets that he likes to do it; you have to remind him. Then, it’s beautiful and easy. It’s just the best thing,” Ken exclaimed.

Taren commented that “it was an awesome first show experience– you ended on a number, you didn’t get a letter. This is amazing!”

One thing to note about Ken is that even though he was faced with probably every challenge imaginable at his first event, I have never talked with someone who has more enthusiasm for this sport than him.

Ken and SquarePants during their show jump round at Twin Rivers. Photo courtesy of Ride On Photo.

Ken has just survived his first ever recognized show, now what?

“I can’t wait to get back out there and do it again,” he said. As a teacher, it’s hard for him to take time off to event often. “I might come down with the cold around the next Twin Rivers event, I’m not really sure,” he laughed.

He’s had a few students that take lessons with Taren, but most of his students don’t pay much attention to the fact that he rides. “I mention it at the start of school. I tell them I live on a horse ranch and I’m a bit of a horse girl and they laugh.”

The big question still remains: Will we see Ken at Rebecca Farm next year?

“Oh, 100%. That’s where my sights are set. I will be there.”

Ken’s advice to other partners to those who ride is to be supportive. “Watch for a while and try to anticipate what your partner needs.” Or, you can take it a step further, like Ken, and learn how to ride. “It’s my happy place, to go out after school and ride around for a while. It’s the best way to wash off the day.”

Now that Ken has a successful show under his belt, a working air vest, and lots (seriously, lots) of excitement about the sport, he is definitely one to keep your eye on!

Go Ken and Go Eventing.