Kelly Haydon graduated from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. Knowledge and experience gained from the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Enterprise projects, the Colt Breaking classes, and the Cutting and breeding programs has allowed her to develop a successful training and lesson program for both youths and adults, from the casual rider to the showman.
She worked for cutting horse trainers Lannie Ashley and Don Parker until starting on her own in 1988. Now she trains for the public in Marble Falls, Texas, for cutting, working cowhorse, reining, western pleasure, hunt seat, hunter over fences, and showmanship. She gives lessons and clinics with her husband, Russell, on cutting, ranch versatility, trailer loading, and general horsemanship. They both compete in NCHA cuttings, AQHA and APHA performance events, and TFQHA RHV shows. In 1997, First Monday Trading Days was started, a monthly publication serving the Hill Country and Central Texas. Today you can go to the Trading Days page and find informative news about the horse industry!
In the spring of 2003 was the first show in the Open Ranch Versatility Contest Series, started in Marble Falls, Texas. Russell and Kelly put on these monthly shows, where exhibitors compete for awards such as monogrammed jackets, tack, gift cards and even saddles. The shows involve cattle work mixed with everyday ranch obstacles, and tests the horse and riders ability to perform varying tasks. Visit the RHV page and find out more about the upcoming show series!
Today, Kelly and Russell work with horses and their owners, both in training and lessons. They are involved with Burnet County 4H Horse Club, Capitol Area Quarter Horse Association, and the Ranch Horse Versatility Contest Saddle Series. Kelly secretaries NCHA and ACHA cuttings, and judges Open shows.
Russell and Kelly stand their own stallion, Tempers Playin, a 1993 AQHA bay son of the great cutting horse, Freckles Playboy, and out of a producing daughter of Doc Tari. These black type bloodlines have already produced competitive offspring in both the cutting androping arenas. Visit the Tempers Playin page for breeding information!
Training is available at all levels, from halter breaking to introduction to the saddle, driving lines and rider, and then further education in the arena, the trails, and on cattle. Lessons and clinics available, private or group, on any equine discipline. Horses are taken in on consignment for sale and go through an evaluation period before being advertised. Visit the Horses For Sale page for current consignments!
Basic philosophies and techniques of the Haydon training program stem from the gentle horsemanship theories of pressure and release. Horses will read your body language and react accordingly, whether from the ground or on their back. Timing is a key element when applying pressure, and recognizing when to release that pressure is even more important. When the horse shows you the slightest amount of "try", it's important to reward that action immediately. Once your horse starts looking for a release, the learning is endless!
** 2010 Supreme Extreme Mustang Challenge *** bid on horses Apr 24, pick up May 7
In an effort to increase adoption of Mustangs, the Mustang Heritage Foundation has worked with the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program to create incentive adoption programs. This year begins a new competition. The Supreme Extreme Mustang makeover starts with an adoption of 100 untouched mustangs on April 24, followed by 90 days of training, and finally a competition in Fort Worth, TX, in August, to compete for one of the largest purses available yet in mustang history. Follow Russell and Kelly's horses as they get ready for this historic event. For sponsorship information, emailtradingdays@yahoo.com
DAY ONE: Wed May 12...Marble Falls, TX...................................................................................................
DAY THREE: Fri May 14..........................................................................................................................
DAY FIVE: Sunday May 16...HELP US NAME OUR MUSTANGS! email your name picks totradingdays@yahoo.com...to find out more about sponsoring a mustang, emailtradingdays@yahoo.com
WEEK THREE thru FOURTEEN.......................................................................................................................................................
...................JEWEL........................................................BUNNY........................................SMART LITTLE MUSTANG...................
August 13, 14, 2010...Fort Worth, TX...Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover...Follow us to Fort Worth and stay at the Worthington!...
CLASS RESULTS: Jewel and Kelly...Top 20 Trail class...Top 30 Manuveurs class...Top 40 CowWork class
Smart Little Mustang and Russell...Top 25 Cow Work class...Top 30 Basic Riding class...Top 40 Trail class
Content copyright 2010. Kelly Haydon. All rights reserved.
