equestrianprofessional.com article

Equestrian Professional Member Spotlight – Lisa Kursinski

by Pam Saul

Lisa Kursinski has gotten used to the statement, “Oh, you’re Anne’s sister,” over the years, but it’s not much of a problem when you have just as much skill, determination, and natural talent with horses as Lisa does.

Yes, she is the younger sister of Anne Kursinski, but talent runs deep in this family and Lisa has much to be proud of in her own hunter/jumper equestrian career.

Lisa gets her talent from a long line of family members involved with horses. Her great grandfather and grandfather sold horses and mules before the invention of tractors. When her father suggested that the family needed to join a tennis club, her mother said, “If we’re going to join any club, it’s going to be the Flintridge Riding Club,” and so began her journey with horses at age 4 years old.

Lisa paid her dues and learned every aspect of horsemanship from the ground up and continued as a working student in California and on the East Coast. In her junior years, she was Pacific Coast Hunter-Jumper year-end “A” Champion Hunt Seat Equitation rider – 14 & under; “A” Champion Junior Working Hunter rider, 14 & under; Champion Hunt Seat Equitation, 15 thru 17, and Champion Junior Working Hunter rider, 15 thru 17. These accomplishments were with her junior horse, Heirloom, who preferred Lisa’s much softer, natural ride to Anne’s more jumper style. He was a perfect match for Lisa. Lisa says, “If Heirloom was human, he would have been the Southern Gentlemen. He went on to be the second horse behind Keen in the 1984 Olympics for Hilda Gurney. He was certainly one of my favorites.”

Lisa went to college at Westmoreland David Equestrian Institute in Leesburg, Virginia and completed the two-year program in one year. Not one to let grass grow under her feet! She has trained and ridden with many of the great professionals including George Morris, Jimmy Williams, Tad Coffin, Jimmy Wofford, and Kamila Dupont, just to name a few.

As an adult, she won the Regional Championship in Three Day Eventing in Las Vegas and the Green Hunter Classic at Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Canada. From 2005 through 2008, she successfully competed on the “A” hunter/jumper circuit in California. Her 2nd year green/regular working hunter Elegant, was another of Lisa’s favorite horses. She loved Lisa’s soft, fluid riding style, which brought them great success in the hunter ring.

Lisa spoke passionately about being in the hunter/jumper profession with horses. “Horses are my very best friends. I can talk to them, dance with them, and I have a 6th sense about horses. They bring me joy and let me perform at my highest level. They bring out the best in me. I would rather walk into a barn instead of a downtown office any day.”

Lisa is currently working as a coach with amateurs and young and up-and-coming riders. Shows are ongoing at her facility, which she takes her students to regularly as well as off property competitions. She also enjoys working with Eventers as a stadium jumping coach. She recently merged with Mark Farndale at Farndale Stables and continues riding and coaching. She also enjoys starting 3-year olds under saddle and is a clinician.

With so much diversity of talent, Lisa feels blessed and continues to give back to the equestrian community. Lisa feels that horses have so much to give and it shouldn’t be limited to only the best. “I have taught students with disabilities and have helped them to see that they can enjoy it just as much as others. I love to teach and if I can reach one person and make the horses shine, then I’ve given back to the sport that has done so much for me.”

Lisa continues her career in the hunter/jumper ring, as well as being a coach and clinician. When I asked about where she saw herself in the next few years, she remarked, “Wherever it leads me. It’s in my heart and the bottom of my soul.” Seems to me the hunter/jumper industry has gained a valuable asset with this Kursinski.

What Does Lisa Kursinski Says about Equestrian Professional?
“I think Equestrian Professional website is a wonderful tool and a resource for every professional equestrian. It covers a multitude of resources for the equestrian business from the day to day business needs, sample contracts, sports psychology to webinars. The resources available to the members are unlimited and with the latest information on the subject matter. I particularly like the online seminars or otherwise known as the webinars. I have told many people about Equestrian Professional and the wonderful asset it is for their businesses.”

If you would like to contact Lisa, you can call her at 626-485-8880 or e-mail at lkurski@earthlink.net or visit her website at www.Lisakursinski.com.