Soaring to success

Valley teen jumps way to national event

CASEY RESSLER

Frontiersman Valley Life Editor

When 13-year-old Kaitlin Henry climbs on Grey Ghost, puts her feet in the stirrups and starts riding, magical things happen. That's the only way to describe the incredible success Henry has accomplished in just three years of riding.

Today, Henry leaves for Kentucky, where she'll ride Grey Ghost in the National Pony Jumper Finals in mid-August. All of the work - sometimes four hours a day, six days a week - has paid off in countless ribbons, but that's not why she rides. She rides simply because she loves to.

"I like being with the pony. I like working with him and just being around him," Henry said. "Going out and riding and jumping with him is only 15 minutes out of a five-hour day. You have to like the rest of it to do it."

Her dedication isn't lost on her trainer, Bill Turner of Bluff Park Farm. He said Henry has a promising future ahead of her in the sport, if she wants to continue with it.

"She's gone from a beginner to quite a talented rider in three years, because she puts in the hours to get better," Turner said. "She has her ups and downs, but she never whines and never gives up. That's the kind of attitude just a very few of the kids have. She definitely has the desire."

Henry is the first Alaskan to ever qualify for the national competition. In Kentucky, she's participating in a number of jumping competitions. She has to complete a course that has up to 18 elements, most of which include jumps of up to 3 feet, 6 inches. Jumping is her favorite part of riding Grey Ghost.

"When I'm riding, I'm always thinking about what Bill has told me, and it goes by quick. When you jump, it feels like you are flying. It's a good feeling," Henry said.

Henry's mother, Anne Henry, said she's proud of her daughter's work ethic, and how far she's come.

"Being a rider takes tremendous dedication, and Kaitlin's got that," Anne Henry said. "She has chores to do before she rides, and schoolwork, and it's a big sacrifice of her time. Kids have to really want to do it, and this is what Kaitlin wants to do."

Henry has ridden Grey Ghost in several large shows, including the Horseshows In The Sun (HITS) show in Indio, Calif. She has garnered attention from numerous judges, and they all hold Henry's abilities in high regard.

"I have been judging for 30 years and see many kids start their careers. Kaitlin stands out in all the kids I have judged and trained," wrote Dianne Grod, a judge in numerous national competitions.

Turner said he hears from judges all the time about his pupil's talent.

"Every judge tells me how good she is. They say they want to take her back with them and have her show their horses," Turner said with a laugh. "She definitely has a natural talent for it."

Part of her success is owed to Turner, and the relationship he has formed with Henry.

Henry's mother said a rider is only as good as their trainer.

"When we first met Bill, he hadn't shaved for two days and had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, and I though, 'Uh-oh.' But after talking with him for a few minutes, I knew Kaitlin was going to love learning from him. He doesn't coddle his students and he doesn't say just what they want to hear. He's very straightforward."

Henry said she trusts Turner's advice, and that's important to her success.

"Bill has kind of become my friend and my trainer," Henry said. "I feel free to tell him whatever I want to, because I know he's trying to help me."

As Henry gets older - and bigger - she's going to be moving up from Grey Ghost, a pony, to SerMo (Serious Moments), a horse. She rides SerMo around Bluff Park Farm now, but isn't ready to commit to jumping with him in competitions just yet.

"SerMo has springs in her legs. She likes to go," she explained. "Ghosty likes to be told to go."