Alex and Caroline Sinden – Morganton, North Carolina
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING HORSES PROFESSIONALLY?
We’ve been training professionally for about a year and a half now.
TELL US SOME FAMILY HISTORY OF RAISING AND SHOWING WALKING HORSES.
We are the only ones in our family that have ridden, trained and shown Tennessee Walking Horses.
OF ALL THE HORSES YOU HAVE TRAINED, OPEN AND AMATEUR, DO YOU HAVE A HORSE YOU FEEL MADE YOU INTO THE TRAINER YOU ARE TODAY? WHAT HORSE WAS THAT AND WHY DO FEEL THAT WAY?
Probably our own personal horses, Out There And Lovin It and Nite’s Destiny. We learned so much from each horse we have trained but the most from those two that started it all.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG ASPIRING TRAINERS?
Just work hard and put in those early mornings and late nights, it will pay off! We were lucky enough for Hannah Myatt and Dr. Jana Anderson to teach us. They are the best role models we could’ve asked for! We would encourage you to find someone willing to take the time to help and teach you.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN THE PERFECT YEARLING?
Mostly we look for a loose walk, with a nice back leg. A great attitude and personality is always a plus!
HOW ARE YOU MANAGING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK? IS YOUR BARN ON LOCKDOWN? ARE YOU STILL HOLDING YOUR REGULAR CLIENT APPOINTMENTS? HOW HAS THIS AFFECTED YOUR TRAINING?
For the safety of us and our clients we have closed the barn to the public, but have remained on the same training schedule, to be prepared for when show season starts!
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST WORLD GRAND CHAMPION AND WHY?
Minor Ordeal, such a beautiful talented stallion! We love getting to watch him show!
IF THERE WAS ONE AREA OF THE INDUSTRY YOU COULD CHANGE OR RAMP UP, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
We would say getting the public more involved to showcase all of the talented, amazing horses in our industry.
IF YOU WERE NOT AT THE BARN OR A HORSE SHOW, WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME?
Since we are fairly new to our professional career, we honestly don’t have much free time. The little bit we have we use it to rest and relax.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TV SHOWS, MOVIES OR NETFLIX FEATURES HAVE YOU BEEN BINGE WATCHING DURING THE PANDEMIC?
Kitchen Nightmares, Grey’s Anatomy and some of our CBS favorites.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR
CAREER THUS FAR?
Showing at the Celebration professionally for the first time and winning a world championship with Cash Me Outside with Lindsay Atkins in the Novice Youth Trail Pleasure class.
WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM CAN YOU GIVE TO THE HORSE INDUSTRY ON THE PANDEMIC?
Show season will start! Just be patient and wash your hands!