Angelea Kelly’s ride, an 11 year old Sir Donnerhall gelding, was recently sold to The Netherlands. Kelly started this talented gelding as a 4 year old and trained him to Grand Prix primarily at her farm in Eastern North Carolina. With seven years of her life dedicated to this ride, what was it that prompted this shift?
Kelly’s growing interest in organic, sustainable farming these last several years developed her relationship with the leader in biological fly control, Spalding Fly Predators. This year Spalding picked up the reins as exclusive sponsor of her original web series, HorseGirlTV significantly increasing production schedule.
Her busy work schedule wasn't allowing time for competitions and making outside training trips a challenge. After much deliberation, she decided this past December, to take a break from riding, spend more time on her farm, and further expand her business.
Kelly's desire to maintain fitness from being newly out of the saddle prompted the production for volume 2 of her highly successful fitness program, the equibarre workout. The equibarre workout, volume 1 has been featured on Eurodressage as an uncomplicated fitness program geared towards the all-important core muscles, aiding in firming and lengthening muscles throughout the body. Pre-sales for equibarre, volume 2 have just been announced and are available exclusively through ShopWithAng.
When asked about giving up the ride after such a long partnership, Kelly replied, “I’ve learned a great deal from him which I’ll forever be grateful, but much has happened with me in the last year. Life shaping experiences that made me rethink my goals. It was time for him to have an opportunity at the international scene with a full time professional rider. I truly look forward to seeing just how far he can go."
Angelea Kelly is a US Dressage Federation gold medalist but is best known in the horse world as web series host of HorseGirlTV and producer of the equibarre workout. She is a career content creator and holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. You can connect with her on Twitter @AngeleaKelly or her Facebook Page.
by Kathryn Collins