Kathy Poppe been an inspiration to her students long before her recent misfortunes, and several of them nominated her as Central Jersey Horsemen's Association Trainer of the Year.
Indefatigable -- a term meaning "persisting tirelessly." It's a description that fits trainer Kathy Poppe, of Colts Neck.
The past two years haven't been easy for the long-time equestrian and instructor. During that time, she endured the amputation of both legs. Today, she has one prosthetic leg with a hydraulic ankle, while the other has electronic components. While she hasn't been back on a horse yet, she recently sat on a saddle while a technician made adjustments so that she could use the leg properly when riding. Poppe -- indefatigable -- is determined not only to ride again, but to go foxhunting.
She's been an inspiration to her students long before her recent misfortunes, and several of them nominated her as Central Jersey Horsemen's Association (CHJA) Trainer of the Year.
Poppe received the CJHA Trainer of the Year at the organization's annual banquet on Nov. 20. "The award by CJHA as Trainer of the Year is beyond great and totally unexpected. In a field of trainers, great trainers and hard knockers for many years, it is a singular privilege," said Poppe.
Certain criteria must be met for the award, according to CJHA treasurer and points secretary Paula Sagui. "The trainer has inspired their student(s) in the areas of horsemanship, showmanship and sportsmanship; who has contributed to the betterment of CJHA and the New Jersey horse industry and has demonstrated special expertise in the training of horse and rider. The only other requirements are that both the nominator and nominee trainer must be current year members of CJHA," she said.
Poppe received three nominations. The committee reviewing nominations received them with her name and the name of the farm removed, so as not to influence opinion. The edited nominations below do include Poppe's identifying information.
Letter 1: "Kathy is more than just another trainer that knows their way around horses; she embodies what a truly amazing person is. Kathy had a lot going on and wasn't home for a while. However, never did I feel like I didn't have any guidance or support. Even though she had her own problems to fight for and worry about, Kathy never stopped putting us as a priority.
What Kathy went through compared to where she is now is unbelievable. She has showed us all that anything is truly possible if you push yourself and never give up. Along with all the amazing life lessons we've been taught, I've learned so much about working with horses. Kathy is always there to help us and make us better riders, and she does this without failing to also put a smile on everyone's face.
Kathy survived things that no one should have to go through, and during those tough times she still somehow always managed to be at the side of the gate yelling at me to keep my leg on. She suffered so much, however she never let anyone see. She kept her brave face on for us and showed us what it is means to be a fighter.
Today I witnessed Kathy walk to the ring with no help at all. She walked in, closed the gate behind her and cracked a joke like it was nothing. But after having both legs amputated, this was not nothing; this was incredible. However this was nothing new, as Kathy finds ways to amaze us every day. In a golf cart or in a wheelchair, in freezing or in 90 degree weather, Kathy was always right there by our sides -- even when she really shouldn't have been -- and never did she crack and let us see how much pain she was actually in, all for her students. Kathy truly deserves this award, and so much more."
Letter 2: "Imagining have to juggle dozens of lives as well as your own. Caring, supporting, loving, pushing, risking for so many people could be hard. However, my trainer makes it look easy. Every day, she puts up with making sure everybody is happy and well. Our dozen horses and many riders, Kathy puts first. In addition to putting people first, she had to be really strong the past two years because of the tough losses (of body parts, horses, and humans) she and Woodhollow experienced.
Kathy is such a strong person that she could make anybody look weak without even trying. Kathy focuses more on her people having fun, which is the main reason why people love Woodhollow. Kathy made my life so interesting and exciting the past eight years that I don't know what pothole I would be under if it wasn't for her. She makes everybody laugh and have a good time no matter what. She is truly an inspirational person that has done way too much for us, more than we all deserve.
Kathy is so much more than a trainer. She is our guidelines and considers Woodhollow family. She has such an impact and influence on other people's lives. Without her, many of us will be lost."
Letter 3: "Kathy has been through one of the toughest years. To be able to put aside all of her troubles to come out and make sure her students have her help and support is amazing. Kathy has helped take me and my horse from unsuccessful hunter to a success in the dressage ring. About two weeks before the show in September I decided to try dressage. After about one week I decided to enter in the show. Instead of saying that I should wait, or Lee was unprepared, she made sure I felt that we were ready and that no matter what happens as long as we made it through the day without any problems that it would be worth bringing him."
Poppe, who didn't start riding until the age of 25, also worked in corporate America for 25 years, leaving around 1990. She began with airline/flight school, then on to management positions in different companies, ending with Revlon. There, for example, she managed a fleet of 3,500 cars and the entire office services program in New York for 1,500 people in five buildings.
Her professional equestrian career began in 1984, with the purchase of Woodhollow Farm in Colts Neck. Last year, the farm received "Gold Medal" status from Rutgers University, a designation based on environmental responsibility. She is a United States Equestrian Federation judge for hunters, jumpers and equitation, and numbers some top people in the industry as close personal friends.
A passionate foxhunter, Poppe notes she is the only teaching professional over the past 30 years who takes her students foxhunting and also has the horses going to major shows. She hunted with the old Hidden Hollow Hounds, in Holmdel, N.J., Blue Ridge in Virginia and the Monmouth County Hunt (MCH) as a member with colors. Her junior riders all show, and foxhunt with the MCH.
Poppe credits her husband, Gary Pullen, for his abilities as "a first rate barn manager, mechanic and horseman." She has been working for more than 20 years as an equine therapist dealing with lasers, magnetic therapy, and reiki. "I have taken numerous horses off the race track, broken and not, and put them in new jobs and a future starting long before it was fashionable to do so. God has been very good to me," she said. "If I didn't have the experience rebuilding [off-the-track thoroughbreds], I wouldn't be able to rebuild myself."
When asked about her training philosophy, Poppe replied that her goal is horsemanship. That includes horse care, but also being tough. "There will come a day in life when we all have to be really tough," she said. "If I were not a horse person, riding 40 years -- if that were not me, I would not be here," she said, referring to her recent struggles.
Lindsey Sickles has known Poppe since 1986 and has worked as a "jack of all trades" at Woodhollow for the past 11 years. She said Poppe was always generous with time, and "puts her whole heart into her kids." Sickles described Woodhollow as a family, and everyone came together during Poppe's recuperation.
One former student, Kayla Stroz, now teaches at Palermo Show Stable, in Bedminster, N.J. "From the age of 8, Kathy not only taught me how to ride, but also what it is to be a horsewoman. Through her, I learned not only how to ride and care for the horses, but also how to trust them while developing my own equine passion," said Stroz.
"Whether the lessons I gained came from winning a class at a horse show, or dealing with a setback, Kathy taught me what it means to never give up." She adds that in her own instruction of beginner riders, she hopes to impart some of the knowledge and love of the sport that Kathy gave her, because it truly shaped her into the young adult she is today. "Woodhollow was always a safe haven for me growing up if I were having a bad day. I am sure her current students will continue to benefit from the love Kathy gives to the sport and her horses. She is a beautiful example of what determination can get you and a truly important part of my life," said Stroz.
Poppe is now fluid around the barn, and can get on the tractor. One of her near-term goals is to "conquer the clutch." While she still uses crutches, she refuses to use a wheelchair anymore, and frequently gets around on a rollator.
"I can now walk into the ring with confidence," she said.
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