Kristin Hardin: This California Girl is Hot

A California native and long-time equestrian, Kristin Hardin is not new to the show scene. Successful since her days as a junior rider, Hardin’s name has once again been at the top of multiple victory gallops in recent months.

Kristin and Bert. Photo Credit Shannon Wright

Hardin’s maiden name was Medall, appropriate for a rider who was top in the Big Eq ranks.  In the 1980’s she married the up and coming jumper rider from the Chicago area that had taken California by storm, Will Simpson.  Now fast forward thirty-something years, where that junior rider has become an accomplished professional and settled down with her third husband, her children Tyler and Zacko and many, many horses east of Santa Barbara on a 120-acre ranch in a town called Cuyama. Also active in the Arabian and Welsh worlds, Hardin has a variety of equines in her care. 

Kristin victorious on the Arabian circuit.

Spending a solid number of years raising young ones, both children and horses, Hardin’s ‘stock’ has grown up enough for her to hit some of the prominent shows on the California scene, including Sonoma and Menlo.  Familiar with life on the circuit, Hardin is known for mixing it up a bit.  Life in Cuyama is a step away from the ‘AA’ scene.  Hardin and her kids, now ten and eight years old, love rides on the beach as much as riding for the ribbons. 

Happy on horseback in the sand and waves.

Fresh off seven grand prix wins, plus topping four $10-15k classes this season; ProEquest took a moment with Hardin to get to a bit more about her history, and who she is today.

ProEquest: Starting from the beginning—what got you started riding?

Kristin Hardin: I started out doing a lot of trail riding when I was really young. My first trainer was a Morgan horse saddle seat trainer, who taught me a lot of the basics. When I wanted to jump, I began to ride with Judy Martin, who took over my training.

PE: When did you realize you wanted this to be a career?

KH: When I was five years old!

PE: Let’s talk about your junior years. Who did you train with and what were some of your biggest accomplishments?

KH:I rode with Tommy Lowe and Hap Hansen, who was my coach when I won the WCE finals in 1983 and placed second in the USET (now USEF Talent Search) finals in 1984.

Kristin and Hap Hansen.

He found several horses for me to ride and got me my first job when I was 17. I moved from Rancho Santa Fe to Nogales, Arizona, where I was given full responsibility of ten of Kaye Love’s horses.  [Side note: Kaye Love developed and worked with a number of top horses and riders for many years, including Fleet Apple, Black Irish and Lion in Winter]

We traveled throughout the country, and along the way I was lucky enough to get advice from Pierre Jolicoeur and Mike McCormick. I also spent time with Bill Cooney and Frank Madden at Beacon Hill, and then settled for a bit at Acres Wild with Buddy Brown and Eric Hasbrouck.

That period of time was very inspirational as I was in a personal relationship with Will Simpson, so through him I had the help of all the top riders. We started our own business after The National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden (now in Lexington, KY) in 1985, where I was sixth in the Maclay Finals and he was leading open jumper rider.

PE: Who influenced your riding and training?

KH: Will (Simpson) played a big part in teaching me empathy and love for the horses, and I am lucky enough to call several top pros my best friends, so I am surrounded by advice and support all the time.

PE: Do you ride with a coach?

KH: No, I ride best when I rely on the feel of my horses. However, I am quick to ask for advice if I feel I need help.

PE: What can you share with us about your training methods? How do you let a horse be a horse?

KH: I try to focus on each horse’s positive traits and build on them, and as they each develop, the negative aspects seem to go away. I try to let my horses express themselves, and although I discipline them, I want them to love showing.

Kristin and Bert in winning form at Sonoma Horse Park. Photo Credit: Shannon Wright.

Kristin and Bert winning the $40,000 Shaklee Corporation Grand Prix. Photo Credit: Shannon Wright.

For example my grand prix horse Bert. He lives in a two-acre pasture at home and is surrounded by baby horses that he plays with all day.  He really doesn’t like to be ridden unless he’s jumping, so at shows we had walk him often. I only jump four to five jumps to warm-up, but nothing else before a class. He gets really excited before he shows.  He loves it so much.

PE: Which are some of your favorite places to show?

KH: I love Sonoma! Two other favorites are Franktown Meadows, where I just competed in a Hunter Derby, it took my breath away, and the Sacramento International, which has a great ambiance.

PE: Let’s talk about some favorites outside the industry. What is your favorite thing to do when not riding?

KH: It's rare when I have time, but I love relaxing on a boat! 

PE: Favorite food?

KH: I can't go without my Platinum Performance bars. I crave them every day. 

PE: Favorite music/musician?

KH: Lyle Lovett—my son Zacko’s middle name is even Lyle.

PE: Favorite movie?

KH: “Love Actually”

PE: Favorite vacation spot?

KH: Mont Saint-Michel was the most amazing place I've ever been.

PE: You are quite a force on Facebook.  There you are listed as Kristin Medall Simpson Ferguson Hardin. Can you tell us about your multiple last names?

KH: I've been married three times and always changed my name. I'm on my third marriage now, eleven years and going strong! Each marriage was for a significant amount of time, so when Facebook came along I included every name on so anyone from any period in my life could find me.

Bert earns a good roll after winning the class.

Truly just a glimpse of Hardin, she is known for being quite the storyteller on Facebook.  Ranging from horseback adventures on the road, on the beach and at home, her anecdotes are well worth a read.  ProEquest thanks Kristin for her time and wishes her many more adventures in and out of the show ring for years to come.