2007 Pan American Gold Medalist
Katherine Poulin has lived a life of horses!
Kate learned at an early age the values of hard work, determination and commitment. This was an everyday part of her life as both of her parents, Michael and Sharon Poulin were self employed as horse trainers. As a child, Kate always had available a variety of ponies and school horses to play with, practice with and care for. Local horse shows with showmanship, equitation and jumping classes provided a fun opportunity to compete. In addition to Kate’s obvious foundation in dressage helping in the family business taught her such skills as managing a stable, maintaining a farm, veterinary and farrier skills and breeding. Both her parents are highly respected trainers, competitors, instructors and judges in the sport.
Kate’s accomplishments are many but not limited to being a USDF Bronze, Silver & Gold medalist. She has been on four NAYRC dressage teams, winning two Gold Medals and has been on the USEF developing riders list since 2006. Qualifying for the US team for the 2007 Pan American Games was certainly one of Kate’s greatest accomplishments superseded only by winning a gold medal at those same games. She is a USDF Certified Instructor through Fourth Level.
Through the years, Kate has trained a variety of breeds at all levels of Dressage. Her first pony, Grey’s Flag, was originally purchased at a slaughter auction and quickly trained to be a children’s jumper. Grey’s Flag and Kate went on to win numerous Regional and National awards through the levels. As a team they also received the Balcarres Trophy for the open Third level division at the Ox Ridge show in Darien, Conn. In 1995, Kate was given the opportunity to ride Herb Commander, a sensitive thoroughbred that earned the name of “Professor”. With Herby, Kate earned her USDF Silver and Gold Medals, two Gold Medals at NAYRC and numerous Regional and National titles throughout their 15 year relationship.
Kate’s most accomplished partner is Brilliant Too. A 15.1h KWPN/TB gelding bred and raised by the Poulin family. Affectionately known as “Zuel” in the barn, they have truly been champions at every level. They were USDF HOY First level freestyle champions. Placing in the top four standings for USDF HOY at First,Third,Fourth, Prix St. George, Intermediare I and freestyle levels. They have won the Zada Cup, Edar Hotz Trophy, Regional champion at Third, Fourth and Grand Prix levels. They were the 2006 Intermediate I reserve Champion at the “Festival of Champions” and a 2007 Pan American Games Gold Medalist. Kate and Zuel have also appeared on the cover of Practical Horseman in 2006.
Belisario Interagro is another horse that Kate has trained from the start. Kate and Rio have been a partnership for eight years. She has trained him herself to the Grand Prix level. Kate and Rio have shown successfully from Training level to Grand Prix. Rio has consistently been ranked #1 in the country for IALHA year end awards. Belisario and Kate are currently showing at the Grand Prix level and during the 2018 winter season they won two Grand Prix’s at Global Dressage.
Not only a seasoned competitor, Kate also has been very effective as a demonstration rider for different levels using numerous horses at USEF Judges Forums, North American Dressage Trainers Club symposiums and the New England Dressage Association Fall Weekend. She was the recipient of the Dressage Foundation’s Young Rider Olympic Dream program and participated in the 2005 Hilltop Farm’s Young Horse Trainers symposium. She was also a chaperon for the recipients of the 2005 European Young Rider’s scholarship program.
Kate has been fortunate to have trained with her parents, Sharon & Michael Poulin, Natalie Lamping (FEI “I” judge), the late Franz Rochowansky (chief rider of the Spanish Riding School), Dr. Volker Moritz (FEI “O” judge), Mariette Withages (president of the FEI), Jean Bemelmans (FEI Trainer & coach of the Spanish Olympic team), Ingrid Klimke (German 3-day Olympic team member),Debbie Mcdonald (Olympian) Christoph Hess (Director of Training at the German DOKR), and Klaus Balkenhol(Olympic Gold Medalist).
Kate Poulin has developed a strong student clientele in Northeast Ohio helping them achieve their goals such as USDF Medals, National and Local Awards and developing a better partnership with their horse. At any given time Kate will have several horses in training at her facility near Cleveland Ohio, from young stallions to seasoned FEI horses. Kate is invited on a regular basis to teach clinics throughout the country and enjoys working with students of all levels and ages. Her dedication and passion for showing quality and correctness in all her work whether training, teaching or horse care is evident in everything she does. Most people that know Kate speak of her strong work ethic, her passion for the horse and her dedication to the preservation of Classical Dressage.