My name is Kathy Sirchia. I was born in 1961 on Long Island, New York. My family lived across the street from Little Plains Stable, so my love affair with horses began when I was 8 years old. Since I am the youngest of 8 children, my parents couldn't afford riding lessons, so I worked at the stable in exchange for my education - riding as well as horse care. I took care of all the lesson horses including bathing, grooming, feeding, and mucking stalls.

I leased my first horse when I was 10 years old. T.A. (Thousandaire) was a retired thoroughbred. I moved him across the street into a barn my father built on our property, but continued to ride and work at Little Plains through my 20's, feeding her horses in the mornings and on weekends.

During my 20's I also worked with racehorses at an upscale training facility in Muttontown, NY. I exercised the horses as well as acting as groom for the riders. I also worked as a groom at Belmont Racetrack on Long Island.

I chose Finance as a career, beginning as a teller in my hometown bank, and ending up as a Manager of a Finance company when I relocated to Florida. My career in finance lasted over 25 years.

When I relocated to Florida, I also transported T.A. there to "retire" him. By then he was 29 and we had enjoyed many wonderful years together. He broke his back leg kicking his stall and I had to have him put down. That was one of the worst days of my life.

I lived in Florida for 18 years, and purchased my second horse, Prince, in 2001. I boarded him at a barn in Port St. Lucie, and introduced him to my twin step-daughters, who were 10 years old at the time. I taught them to ride and care for horses, and when they were ready we bought them each a horse. We spent the next 4 years riding and showing. It taught the girls maturity and responsibility - and helped keep them away from boys.

In August 2006 we moved to Eatonton, Georgia. My husband and I had visited and liked the area, and as I looked for a boarding facility for Prince, the manager of a local barn asked me if I was interested in working with her. After much consideration I decided it was time to dedicate my time to something I truly loved, and left my finance career behind.

I have been working full-time as a trainer since then, and would never go back to the corporate world. My desk, computer and phone have been replaced with saddles, bridles and muck tubs, and I wouldn't change a thing. I enjoy working hard, being outside and having my feet in the dirt. I am inspired by the children and families I have been blessed with, and the horses have become my family.

I also feel strongly that I can never know or learn enough about riding, training, and general equine health. I am constantly reading about new techniques and how to improve my effectiveness with my students. I have participated in seminars and taken courses to further my never-ending education.

It is incredibly rewarding to see a student progress from a novice rider with virtually no knowledge or experience, to an accomplished rider with confidence and poise. It gives me the kind of satisfaction I could never get working in an office.

When I teach I stress safety first, and the proper care of the horse. I teach all my students from the ground up. It's not just about jumping on and riding. It's about developing a valuable relationship between the horse and rider - and becoming a team.

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