August 13, 2003
Teen shows great horse sense
Charlene Kolodziej qualifies for national equestrian contest
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Mastering the detailed technicalities of Western Pleasure riding as well as horse mood swings, Charlene Kolodziej, 15, achieved two top five finishes at a regional competition for Arabian and Half-Arabian horses.
Kolodziej, who will be a tenth-grade student at Traverse City Central High School, rode her horse, Chit Chat, in the Region 18 show at the end of July. She and Chit Chat took the honors in both the Junior Owner to Ride and the Junior to Ride categories, showcasing their working relationship in completing the complex show requirements.
"We had a couple of really good rides," said Kolodziej, who also plays soccer and tennis. "She got spooked, she hasn't been shown much, but she's a good girl, for the most part."
Kolodziej's placements qualified her for the Youth National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Show held next July in Albuquerque, N.M. Just turning 15 shortly after the competition, Kolodziej was competing against riders who were up to 17 years old, most who had far more seasoned horses and more showing experience.
However, despite her relative youth in her class and newness to regional competitions, Kolodziej is making a name for herself already. Her father, Dave, noted a trainer told him afterward that she was 12 steps from a first place finish.
"Two times she got down to where there were only two other riders left in the ring," he recalled of the July 25-27 competition. "Then they called the reserve champion first so it was down to her and one other rider."
"She's come a long way very quickly," he noted.
Kolodziej has been riding since she was three years old. Her talent may run in her genes as a paternal grandfather was a member of the Russian Calvary and a maternal grandfather is also an equestrian.
Besides mastering the fundamentals of her class, Kolodziej said the most important aspect to successful showing is her relationship with her horse. Chit Chat, at eight years old, is a youngster to showing. The mare is still learning the ropes such as how to tune out distractions and how to follow precise directions from her rider.
"You have to know your horse," she said, adding it also takes a dose of assertiveness mixed with the love and trust. "They'll walk all over you if you don't watch out and the biggest challenge is getting the horse to do what you want them to do - they like to do what they want."
Kolodziej and her family purchased Chit Chat a few years ago and she boards and rides her locally at Casalae Farms. She initially learned to ride from stable manager Karen Hamilton-Duell. Kolodziej continues to ride Chit Chat in their indoor ring and sometimes takes her for trail rides to keep the horse flexible, something a trainer recommended recently.
A successful rider on the show circuit is trained by numerous trainers in a variety of facets of showmanship, including riding and equitation. Even the tack on the horse and the rider's costume are minutely coordinated and inspected.
Charlene Kolodziej has attracted the attention of trainers around the region who believe she has the talent and determination to go far, her father noted.
"It's amazing how technical it is and trainers have different specialties," Dave Kolodziej said. "If you're going to be a complete rider, you have to learn it all and how to put it together."
Kolodziej is not intimidated by her success and is eager to compete in the youth nationals next year. Her parents, who call themselves Team Charlene, will come along as they always do to help cheer her on.
"I'm excited about Albuquerque, it's really cool," said Kolodziej, who plans to pursue riding or training as a career. "You don't go in expecting to win, you have to try your hardest every time."