Kevin Dukes – Horse Training Pure and Simple
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34 – January/February, 2022
By Susan Winslow
Kevin Dukes, owner of Dukes Performance Horses in Weatherford, Texas, has forged a reputation for producing consistent winners at the highest level of competition in a wide variety of disciplines. His clients know that, in addition to ensuring they and their horses are well-prepared for every competition, Dukes also makes sure they will have fun along the way.
He’s a man who cherishes family and considers his clients to be part of his extended family. He says, “I have clients of every age and level, and I love the variety. We have horses that have won or been top ten at the World Show and Congress in 14 different events. I have a great staff. Christina Kelly is an additional trainer, Teddy Gurly is a manager, and my wife, Melissa, daughter, Mattie, and son, Clay, also pitch in at the ranch. It’s a family effort, and we consider our clients to be part of our family. We work hard, and our clients work hard, but I never forget that we’re in this because we love the horses. We have a lot of fun and even go to ‘destination’ horse shows. The clients enjoy touring around when not in the show pen.”
The demands on a professional horseman can often result in a pressure cooker environment. But Dukes made a conscious decision to take a path guided by empathy for the animal, and a desire to produce horses that excel in the show pen, because they’re doing a job they enjoy and are well-suited for. In an industry where patience is sometimes replaced by artificial aids, tricks, and gimmicks as a shortcut to performance, Dukes takes the time to produce horses that are solid and well-schooled, with a goal of a long and productive career for both horse and rider.
He explains, “I went through a time when I was harder on horses, and I didn’t like it. I got into this because I love horses, and there’s magic in working with them. I’ve learned with maturity, and working with so many horses. There is another path that’s better for the horses and for me. I keep it simple and keep it positive for the horse.”
Click here to read the complete article
34 – January/February, 2022
