Kirsten Thomsen – More Than Meets The Eye
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116 – November/December, 2016
by Delores Kuhlwein
Kirsten Thomsen’s performances bring the very essence of fierceness to mind, with an ownership and command of the ring unmatched by most. Yet, those who know the California amateur best understand that it’s the various facets of her personality, such as her loving and caring nature, that have formed the competitor she is today.
“What I love about her is she’s an amazing mix of fierceness, loyalty, and protectiveness, while being one of the sweetest, kindest, most tenderhearted people I know,” explains fellow competitor and friend Larisa Affeldt. “It’s that unique mix that makes her really good at what she does. She finds that connection with her horse; she loves every minute of it; and she loves the animals. Yet, there’s a side of her that’s a fierce competitor. It’s this amazing package that makes her Kirsten.”
Another close friend, Lauren Rodberg, echoes these sentiments. She says, “I’m always so impressed with how Kirsten can get control of her nerves at the big shows. She’s able to focus her energy and use it in a positive way, instead of just letting the pressure take control. Kirsten is a selfless and giving friend – I’m so lucky to have her!”
The words of another friend, Jane Jacklin, reflect a recurring theme. “Most people in our industry see her as a serious and fierce competitor, and that she is. However, Kirsten is also one of the best friends I could ask for. I’m so blessed to have her in my life,” says Jacklin.
It seems this remarkable young woman, who loves horses and dragons, (befittingly so, considering her well-documented competitive nature) has left an impression on those around her, whether she has intended to or not.
Known best for showing Elis A Sleepin for the past five years to claim titles such as 2015 Reserve Champion in Amateur Western Riding at the AQHA World, Thomsen has recently added a young horse to her show string. UF Rockin The House, aka “Sven,” is a three-year-old gelding by Certain Potential and is currently in training with Dave Archer.
Both Dave and Courtney Archer agree that Kirsten has the will to win. They say, “When you first meet Kirsten, she’s quiet and really shy, but the second you get her on a horse and in the show pen, she turns her game face on and it’s all business. She’s a very versatile rider who can go from the Western Riding pen on ‘Eli,’ which is definitely a faster pace, right to the Western Pleasure pen on ‘Sven’ and slow everything right down.”
New Challenges
Like any driven competitor, Thomsen strives on new challenges, and showing Sven was one of them.
Her first time in the pen with her new gelding was at the 2016 Silver Dollar Circuit, after he had won the Open 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure Futurity with Dave aboard.
“Showing in the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro was fun and nervewracking all at the same time,” Kirsten admits. “It was a lot of fun showing in a different class, but it was also nerve-wracking because I was showing a baby. All in all, it was a great time. Sven is a great-minded horse, but during the first couple times riding him, I was so nervous that I kind of forgot how to ride, if that makes sense… I couldn’t get the fact that he was a baby out of my mind, and I was nervous I was going to mess him up. But Dave is such a great coach, and he kept telling me to ride him like I stole him! I finally got out of my own head, and now I fee like I’m learning a lot,” she says.
The experience taught her even more as a rider than she initially expected. Kirsten says, “It’s different riding a young horse compared to a seasoned horse. You really learn patience, and you change the focus from yourself to focusing on the horse. You really can’t lose your focus riding a young one, because they’re still learning. It’s fun learning with Sven, because I’m still trying to get the hang of competing in Western Pleasure futurities and Sven is still trying to get the hang of me!”
Click here to read the complete article116 – November/December, 2016
