Femme Fatale
Equi-Ads England & Wales, May 2002

This month Kuchina introduces us to her latest acquisition while breaking with tradition.

When it comes to horses it can never be said that I am sexist, ageist or racist and to prove it I am breaking a long standing tradition by training a mare to take her place next to the schoolmaster at shows.

Nina Contado is a five year old, gray, Spanish import who came into the country in January this year. She is just getting used to her new surroundings and is a little wary and shy but very kind. If not the boldest of horses she is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

After the last fifty-four years of male domination I see Nina Contado changing things. My father has trained mares but none have ever taken pride of place alongside the schoolmaster in the arena. Since taking over in 2000 a few things have changed such as the launch of our web site, www.kuchina.com, and the up-dating of the music we use and now Nina Contado.

Dad says she is "like Bruce Forsyth's dolly dealers" and all she will be is a stunning assistant next to a true showman. Only time will tell. As your read this I will be teaching her 'half pass' and teaming her up with the schoolmaster as many before her. She is showing a willingness to try and copy the moves.

She will be attending a few shows this season and when the crowds have gone home she will be ridden around arenas with her only audience being the security staff who I will get to clap loudly so that she gets used to the applause. As the song says "The future's looking bright".

On my travels I have had many requests to show how I go about training my horses. Therefore I have introduced another first for this season in that I will be giving demonstrations of how I get my horses to perform. This will be done with the help of Nino Contado and two other horses - maybe one of yours. I will let people see what works for me. If you would like a display in your area just give me a call.

Have a good season
Kuchina