Ep 26: OTTB Transformations: Hard Work Equals Success for Kirsten Schuitema & One Sly Fox

*** The full episode starts at the 3:55 mark, we were having such a great recap of Devon Arena Eventing before we started and wanted to share it with everyone!***

In 2017, Kirsten Schuitema accompanied a friend who wanted to try a couple of OTTBs that our hosts, Emily and Niamh, had sourced from the track and had been bringing along. Little did Kirsten know that she would meet her future upper level partner, One Sly Fox, or “Tango” as he is known in the barn, that day. Back then, Tango was owned by Niamh and known by his Jockey Club name, Double No, or “Nolan” and you can listen to his backstory in Episode 23: Four of our Favorite OTTBs.

Fast forward to 2024, and Kirsten has gone from a Novice level rider that had taken time off to go to college and work in the corporate world to 3-star eventing competitor with her partner One Sly Fox.

While green horse and green rider isn’t always a winning combination, as Kirsten says, “Some horses would hold a grudge from some of the stuff we went through… I’d make a mistake and he’d jump us out of it.” Now Kirsten talks with us about her rise through the ranks, including what it’s like to work for 5-star eventer and dual Olympic Gold Medallist, Phillip Dutton, and how she learned to ‘ride properly’ for the upper levels.

She also candidly speaks about the financial burden of trying to make it as a young professional rider, and her decision to offer syndicate ownership shares in Tango. Above all, Kirsten is a staunch supporter of OTTBs and reveals her favorite thing about the breed.

Check out ottbontap.com for One Sly Fox’s pedigree, photos, and more!

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