This week’s Ocala Sunday Spotlight shines on Kyla Makhloghi, owner of Rosemont Farm, LLC in East Windsor, Connecticut. Kyla and her talented young student Tessa P. Brown came to World Equestrian Center – Ocala to compete in the WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship. Brown earned eighth place, out of a competitive field of 84 Junior Equitation Riders in the WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship and Kyla was delighted to receive the $10,000 Wild Card trainer bonus. We caught up with Kyla to talk about her training and the Premier Equitation Cup.
WEC: Was this your first time at World Equestrian Center – Ocala?
Yes, it was! It’s a stunning facility. The attention to detail is very impressive, from the comfort of the horse to the comfort of the rider. The horses just thrive in the atmosphere and the athletes do too.
It’s so incredible that WEC showcases equitation, like a big hunter derby or grand prix. Equitation riders never get the chance to ride under the lights in a ring like that one and compete for something as large as a brand-new car! The trainer bonuses are just unheard of, too! Sometimes we may see $500, but not $100,000. This facility gives the young riders something to look forward to, and an unmatched experience.
WEC: Tell us a bit about your student, Tessa P. Brown.
Tessa has been riding with me for about 10 years. She started as a small pony kid when she was just eight-years-old and now she’s off to college next year. This was a year of both firsts and lasts for her in the equitation ring.
She rode so well in the Premier Cup. She’s been coming up through the ranks, but this was one of her biggest tests yet. For her to earn a top 20 spot out in a field of 84 with the best equitation riders, horses and trainers in the country is amazing and so rewarding. I am so happy that she earned eight place in the class, because she really deserves it. It was a nice cap to the year for her.
WEC: Tell us about how you felt when you heard that your name got pulled for the $10,000 Wild Card trainer bonus?
I was beyond excited. I was already excited, knowing that Tessa did so well, so getting that check was unimaginable. I was joking with a good friend of mine earlier that day, saying if I win the bonus, I will give him $5, not actually thinking I would be the lucky name!
I would just like to thank World Equestrian Center for hosting this class, and offering the riders and trainers something that we rarely ever see. To give away more than $100,000 in trainer bonuses and a brand-new car is truly incredible.
WEC: Tell us a bit about yourself.
I do everything from ponies to the grand prix. I have a few pony kids and I have a grand prix horse of my own. I also have a few sale horses. I love to work with young imports and make them into quality equitation horses.
My grand prix horse Hurry Up B, I imported when she was a five-year-old turning six. I brought her up to the grand prix level which was so much fun. We don’t show too often. When I start to jump my horses bigger, less is more.
Thank you, Kyla, for chatting with us! Congratulations to you and Tessa on a successful Premier Equitation Cup Championship!