My name is Kristen Ritch. I have been working with horses for almost 15 years. I have spent my life with horses, learning to read, work with, train, and become friends with them. I have worked with too many different breeds to count, including Arabs, Morgans, Saddlebreds, Quarter Horses, Tennessee Walkers, Mustangs, Percherons, Paso Finos, Throoughbreds, and Appaloosas. I take great pride and joy in being able to meld with a horse and become one...... (read more) or working with another horse and rider until they meld into one.
I am a Christian and believe firmly in good-old-fashioned hard work. I am a very hard worker--very passionate about what I do. I love working with people as well as horses. I dress modestly, I don't curse, smoke, chew, drink, do drugs, or have any tattoos.
I can train both people and horses to show engilsh or western. English pleasure, Dressage, jumping, western pleasure, trail, etc. I ride Saddleseat, Huntseat, Dressage, Jumping, Western Pleasure, Working Western, Dressage Sidesaddle, Jumping Sidesaddle, Bareback, some vaulting, and I also know how to hitch and drive single, pairs, tandem, random, and unicorn. I have experience with spook training, precision training, groundwork, etc.
I have experience teaching riders from 4 years to 78 years old how to ride. I also have experience working with the mentally and physically delayed on horseback (therapeutic riding). It is my joy and my passion to teach and train.
I have been looking for some sort of equine-employment around the Wytheville area. I am willing to work full or part time. If you have any interest in me or know of anyone who would be, please give me an e-mail.
Below is part of my resume:
SUMMARY: • More than 14 years of horseback riding experience.
• More than 13 years of show experience (English and Western).
• More than 10 years of teaching horseback riding to all ages.
• More than 10 years of working with the mentally and physically impaired on horseback.
• More than 8 years training horses.
• More than 8 years of driving horses.
• Comfortable riding, teaching, and training Saddleseat, Hunteseat, Dressage, Jumping, Western Pleasure, Working Western, Dressage/Jumping Sidesaddle, Bareback.
EXPERIENCE: Co-Head Wrangler, May 2010 to August 2010
TA Ranch, Buffalo, WY
• Took care of 20 horses for the summer
• Trained/corrected unruly horses
• Led trail rides of all experience levels (walk-only to gallop)
• Managed all riding schedules and training schedules
• Worked with cattle
• Trained several horses to be ridden
Show rider and stable hand, March 2005 to December 2008
Hill Crest Farm, Max Meadows, VA
• Was taught how to show dressage and western pleasure.
• Cleaned stalls, tack, and trailers; fed horses; tacked and un-tacked horses; watered barn floor; clipped and bathed horses; worked horses in preparation for shows.
Show rider, stable hand, and assistant teacher, October 1997 to August 2008
Copper Crest Farm, Wytheville, VA
• Showed horses at local shows.
• Assisted in teaching large group lessons.
• In charge of numerous children’s day camps during the summers of ’04, ’05, ’06, and ’07.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:
Volunteer, April 2000 to August 2008
Copper Crest Farm Therapeutic Riding Program, Wytheville, VA
• Worked with mentally delayed children and adults both on horseback and in carts.
• Assisted in the rehabilitation of physically challenged individuals while on horseback.
• Assisted in summer day camps for the mentally delayed during the summers of ’05, ’06, ’07, and ‘08.
Volunteer, July 2007 to January 2010
Wytheville Recreation Departments, Wytheville, VA
• Volunteered at an indoor climbing wall.
• Assisted with large groups of children at the climbing wall.
• Assisted with the cleaning and upkeep of the climbing wall.
EDUCATION: Associates degree in Marketing with specialty in Graphics Design Communications, May 2011
New River Community College, Dublin, VA
Mathematical Education – transferred to New River before completing degree
Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA
Transferred to New River with a GPA of 3.57 on a 4.0 scale.
Courses taken included:
Calculus 1&2 Multivariable Calculus
Linear Algebra Vector Geometry
Sociology Psychology
Music Appreciation Shakespeare
Insects in Human Society College Composition 1&2
Biology Survey of the New Testament
Programming in C++
Received an award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Mathematics, Spring 2008.
Honor Roll Spring 2007.
Dean’s List Fall and Spring 2008.
