Kari Schmitt (Augustine) began riding at the age of 7 and has filled the years since then with competing in hunt, western, trail and dressage. She came to Smart Start in 2003 looking for help with her horse, Akuppah Kaluah +/, for a rearing problem at the canter. With Rick’s assistance, Kaluah overcame her fears, and she and Kari have brought home five National Top Tens in the US and Canada in Training and
1st levels! Kari was asked to become Smart Start’s “amateur rider” in 2006 and embraced the training techniques and the entire program. She made the decision relinquish her amateur status, becoming a professional in 2007.
Kari has worked with several of the young horses before they are started by Rick, teaching them the basics in manners and ground work, which enables Rick to just touch up on those basics and then focus on the saddling and riding portion of the process. She loves working with these young horses as it serves as a great reminder of the foundation from which Smart Start’s training is based upon. Along with this, showing and teaching horses how to be soft and relaxed are her favorites in her job!
As a special note:
Last fall (October, 2011), Kari decided to retire her equine partner,
GF Raushana +//, after 23 years together. Raushana helped Kari reach goals she never thought were possible, earning Kari her first national award with a Top Ten in trail, winning such titles as WSCA (Western Saddle Clubs Association) Miss Horsemanship (Ra was only one of two Arabians in the competition of about 30!) in 1996, WSCA Princess in 2002, and Canadian National Champion in 2nd Level in 2009 (with a score of 70%)!
At age 25 this last fall, Raushana held the National Champion position in 2nd level at the US Sport Horse Nationals with a 66% from about 8:00 in the morning until about 2:00 in the afternoon!!! She finished the competition with a 4th place (out of 22 horses) and brought home the final National Top Ten award of her career. Kari admits it was a very tough decision to retire Raushana, as she is in great shape mentally and physically, but Ra has given her everything over the years and has worked hard for a great retirement!
