Horses have always been a part of Kate Doerksen’s life. The Keyes woman’s passion for horses and riding has led her to capture two World Championship titles at the 2010 Fall World Championship Paint Horse Show held Nov. 4-13 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Doerksen claimed the championships in Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences and Amateur Working Hunter showing “The King Of Swing,” a 2002 gelding owned by the rider. In the hunt seat equitation class, riders are judged on their ability to control and guide their horse while maintaining correct posture and accurately completing the course. In the working hunter class, horses are judged on their manners, way of going and jumping style over a course of at least eight jumps.
Doerksen got her first horse when she was 5 years old has been competing in Paint Horse shows since she was 13.
“I love the breed,” she said. “I’ve always had a good experience with them.”
Paint Horses have a particular combination of white and any color of the equine spectrum: black, bay, brown, roan, buckskin, dun, gray, grullo, perlino, smoky cream, chestnut, cremello, palomino, red dun, sorrel, or champagne.Markings can be any shape or size, and located virtually anywhere on the Paint's body.
Although Paints come in a variety of colors with different markings, there are only three specific coat patterns: overo, tobiano and tovero.
These colors, markings and patterns, combined with stock-type conformation, athletic ability and agreeable disposition, are the unique characteristics that define the American Paint Horse.
While the Turlock High graduate has a full-time job in sales and marketing for a local metal tool company, she always makes time for riding.
“Horses are special animals and it is neat to have a connection with an animal outside of the Internet and television,” Doerksen said. “Riding has always been my release when I’ve been in the office all day.”
To contact Kristina Hacker, e-mail khacker@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2004.
