Fast is the keyword: Karen Polle and With Wings

Recently, All Things Equine was given the most incredible opportunity to interview amateur rider, who has been taking every show she goes to by storm, Karen Polle!

Karen rides for Japan and is known for having fast and bold jump offs, especially aboard her infamously sassy horse, With Wings. Karen offered us some advice all about riding and answered some questions everyone has probably been dying to know, like if she clicked immediately with her signature mount With Wings, and how in the world did she manage showing and college, let alone YALE! Keep reading to learn more about the amazing rider who strives for perfect and works as hard as possible.

1. How long have you been riding for, and how were you introduced to the sport?

I've been riding since I was 7 years old. I actually didn't know that this sport existed when I started riding. My family had a country house in New Jersey that we would go to on the weekends, and there was a very small barn there that we would pass every time we would head to our house. One day, I said to my dad that I wanted to try riding a pony, and that's how I got started! I didn't even know that you could jump horses at the time!

2. What was your beginning in riding like? (Which discipline did you start in? Have you ever done hunters or eq to work on position, before you did jumpers?)

I rode for about 6 years at the local barn in New Jersey that I started at, and I did hunters and equitation there. When I was 13 years old, I moved to Beacon Hill and rode in the equitation and jumpers.

3. What horses do you currently have?

I have 3 horses: With Wings, Kino, and Little Lord.

I've had Wings since he was 7 years old, and we started in the Low Junior Jumpers together. He's a fantastic jumper and athlete. I am very lucky to have him and I couldn't ask for a better horse!

I just got Kino about 3 months ago, from Ludger Beerbaum. He's 9 and I'm very excited about him-- he has a very powerful jump and all the scope in the world. He's also super friendly and goofy, which I love!

Little Lord is also a new horse for me-- I only started riding him in mid-April and we've only shown together twice. He's very fast and is a very competitive speed horse.

4. One weird fact about your horses and yourself nobody knows?

I was born in Tokyo and Japanese was my first language. And Wings is very afraid of white horses. He's also afraid of ponies. He is especially afraid of white ponies.

5. What is one thing you never want to change about your horses?

Well, I wish they wouldn't age so I could ride and show them forever!!

6. Did you immediately click with wings and your other horses once you started riding them, or did it take time?

I did immediately click with Wings, but I was a very green rider when I got him and he was still young and inexperienced, so it took us several years to make our way up to the Grand Prix level. He also can be very opinionated, so we had to work through that as well. He's still opinionated today, of course, and I wouldn't want him to be any other way, but he's more mature now!

For Kino, I'm still in the process of completely figuring him out. He's actually a very straightforward horse and he's ready to go, but he's quite tall and a very different ride from Wings, so I've had to make a few adjustments when riding him. I've been working diligently to really perfect the way I flat and jump him. We had a great show in Rome last week so I hope I am getting close to getting it completely right!

And for Little Lord, I think we click very well, but we've shown so little that it's hard for me to say yet!

7. Will you ever sell or lease out one of your horses?

It depends on the horse! But I get very attached so it would be difficult.

8. Who do you ride with, and at which barn?

I train with Rodrigo Pessoa. In the winter, I am based in Florida, and then in the spring and summer, I am based at Rodrigo's farm in Belgium. And in the fall, my horses and I train at Double H Farm in Connecticut.

9. How do you and your trainer prepare for shows and big classes?

We don't jump very much at home in order to keep the horses fresh for the shows, so my preparation for shows mostly consists of working on the flat to make sure my horses are very fit and supple. I mix up my flat work every day to keep the horses interested and also to work on different elements of fitness-- so some days I do slower work and other days I do a lot of galloping, etc.

10. How do you stay in shape when your not riding?

I do a lot of Pure Barre, which is mostly body weight exercise, and Pilates. I also do yoga and lift weights.

11. How do you manage any nerves you have before a big class? What tips do you have for people who get very nervous?

First, it's important to remember that getting nervous is perfectly normal and there's nothing wrong with getting nervous. If I get nervous, I try to focus on what exactly I am feeling and the nervousness actually normally fades away. I learned that tip from a sports psychologist and it works! I also make sure to have a solid plan for the course.

12. Advice on how to gain confidence in the show ring?

Trust yourself and have fun. When you do, you'll ride better, which in turn will help build confidence!

13. What is a typical showing day like for you?

I usually ride my horses in the morning before the class, to get their muscles warmed up and loose, and to make sure they are really responsive to my aids. Before the class, we always let the horses relax in their stalls and have some quiet time. I like to watch a video of my last show on my horse or of an especially good class we had, so I can remind myself of some key things to focus on when showing. I always walk the course as soon as it's open so I have as much time as possible to make a good plan. And then after the class, I speak to my trainer about my ride. Then, I spend a bunch of time in the barn with my barn manager as we care for the horses and go over what went well and if there's anything we can improve going forward.

14. What is one of your favorite riding memories so far? What event would you relive over and over again?

Definitely winning both the 5* Grand Prix Qualifier and the 5* Grand Prix with Wings in Wellington over the winter. The week could not have gone any better and we beat a lot of top horses and riders that week. I am very, very proud of that achievement.

15. What are you goals?

My short term goal is to continue to improve my technical skills. I hope to continue to be as consistent as I've been so far this year as well. My long term goals are of course to win a lot and hopefully to make some Championship teams!

16. What shows are next on your agenda?

Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada. And then we heard back to Europe in the middle of July, though I'm not sure what my exact show schedule is yet.

17. Any tips or advice for riders who wish to make this sport their career?

This sport, like any sport, is very difficult, but we also have the added complexity of working with animals who have minds of their own! So my advice would be to never give up. Persistence is key to going far in this sport. Also, always put the horses first!

18. What is your greatest strength in riding, and what is your biggest weakness?

I think my greatest strength is that I really want to get better and I work really hard to improve. My biggest weakness-- I need to continue to improve my flatwork. I'm getting better but I'm still not where I want to be with it.

19. Favorite place to show and why?

That's a tough question! I think the Hampton Classic.

20. What are some of your favorite brands in and out of the show ring?

I love Samshield helmets and gloves- they are the best I've ever worn. I also really love Parlanti for boots. And EquStar makes really nice bonnets for the horses.

21. To you, what is the best part about riding? What is the important thing in riding?

The best part about riding is getting to spend time with my horses every day. My favorite thing to do is jump and compete. There's nothing else like it!

The most important thing for me is to always put the horses first.

22. Who are some of your role models, or people who have influenced you?

My trainer Rodrigo Pessoa, and also Scott Brash, Jeroen Dubbeldam, and Marcus Ehning.

23. What's the best advice you've ever received from another rider or trainer?

Have fun! And smile :)

24. When you were in school, how did you manage riding and the work load?

It was very difficult and I just had to try to manage my time as best as I could. This was actually pretty hard for me to learn how to do, since I can be a perfectionist and I would try to do everything perfectly no matter how much time it took. But that wasn't practical and I had to learn how to use my time more wisely and to accept that not everything would be perfect all of the time!