Ocala, FL – This week’s Ocala Sunday Spotlight shines on Malibu Ken, a stylish hunter owned by Kym K Smith. Smith and her trainer Tiffany Cambria ride the adorable 10-year-old Warmblood gelding, turning heads in the hunter ring. We caught up with trainer, Tiffany Cambria to learn more about the impressionable gelding and how he became a star in the derby ring.
WEC: Tell us how you found Malibu Ken.
I actually found him here two years ago. He was with Daniel Bedoya. I was looking for a jumper for another client of mine, and he showed us ‘Kenny’. I fell in love with him instantly. I ended up showing him to a different client of mine that wasn’t looking for a horse at that time, but as soon as she saw a picture and video of him, she knew she had to have him.
Kym K Smith, ended up trying him and loved him. We bought him for her, but he was still very green, so we put him in the hunter ring to teach him straightness, how to look for the next jump, and he just took to it.
Ever since then, we’ve kept him in the hunter ring, and he just keeps getting better and better. He really enjoys his job. He loves when there is an exciting atmosphere where he can really show off.
WEC: Tell us more about Malibu Ken.
We call him ‘Kenny’ or ‘Ken Doll’ in the barn. Kym calls him ‘Kenny Powers.’ He is just a love. He is such a pleasure to be around, and he always has the cutest expression with his little ears. When you ride him, you can see his ears almost touch, it’s the most adorable thing.
Hunters were his calling. He was Circuit Champion in the 3’9” Greens last winter circuit and he was Grand Champion in the 3’6” Greens at Las Vegas the year before that. Now we are showing in the High Performance Hunters and doing the big derbies.
He’s a funny horse, because he’s all business in the show ring, but when you get him back to the barn, he is just a cuddle bug. He wears his emotions on his sleeve. He loves to buck and play in the paddock, but then he will fall asleep and cuddle with you. It’s hard not to fall in love with him instantly. I can’t thank Kym enough for letting me ride him, because I always have fun every single time we step in the ring.
WEC: Tell us about your Derby Final adventure last year.
When we went to Derby Finals, that was probably the biggest track he’s ever jumped with me, and he just sailed around that ring. It felt like he’s done it all his life. I was a bit cautious the first day because I had a feeling he was going to be a bit bright, but he handled it like a champ.
On the second day for the handy, after I jumped the first jump, I knew we got this. I just had fun after that. We jumped all the high options, and he was loving every second of it!
WEC: What was it like producing Malibu Ken as a Hunter at World Equestrian Center – Ocala?
I think World Equestrian Center – Ocala helped aid in his growth as a hunter. Just the atmosphere you get in the WEC Stadium and WEC Grand Arena are unmatched. It was fantastic teaching him to hunt around big, long tracks over new jumps each and every week. The crowd and atmosphere that he experienced here was prefect preparation for Derby Finals.
Thank you, Tiffany, for taking the time to chat with us about Malibu Ken! We can’t wait to cheer you and Kym on in the hunter ring!