Meet the Equicizer Team! - Kayla Jarvinen

This week marks the second installment of our "Meet the Equicizer Team" series!

Kayla Jarvinen

Office Manager

Kayla was born in Flint, Michigan and grew up loving horses, despite having little prior experience with them. She has worked for Wooden Horse Corporation since 2014 - aside from a brief hiatus when she pursued an internship on a Thoroughbred rehab farm in Versailles, Kentucky throughout the summer/fall of 2015 - where upon her return, she assumed the role of Office Manager at Wooden Horse Corporation, helping to run daily operations and assisting in special events. She is also the Assistant Director of Jockey World, Inc., an organization focused on educating people about horse racing, where she helped create the “365 Days of Racing Terminology” video series in 2013 with organization founder, Frankie Lovato. The love of her life is her OTTB, Intrinsic Worth “Shorty”. She knows firsthand the benefits the Equicizer provides and is excited about the direction the business continues to head in!

When and where were you born? – I was born in Flint, Michigan on (Friday) January 13th, 1995.

Growing up, what did you enjoy doing during the summertime? – I was blessed with many wonderful, loving grandparents. I loved spending summers visiting, baking and traveling/camping with them.

What was your favorite game? – It figures that Horse-opoly is the first that comes to mind! It was fun. For me, at least... ha ha 😂 


Proof of the horse crazy little girl I was!

What was your favorite subject to study? – History! I was probably the only 5th grader who couldn’t wait for “Social Studies” each day. I still enjoy learning and reading about historical places/events and look forward to traveling to some more of those places in the future.

What was your favorite sport? – I played volleyball up until high school but horse racing was (and still is) easily my sport of choice.



My favorite - "Solomon"
Versailles, Kentucky 2015

How would you describe yourself as a student, both socially and academically? – Growing up I was very shy and stuck close to my small group of friends. School came fairly easily to me and I was highly motivated (to finish, that is) so I was very blessed in that sense! And yes, I was inevitably known to everyone as that crazy horse girl.

What would people you know find surprising about you as a teen? – People that know me now would probably be surprised by how shy I was growing up. I’m still quiet by nature (unless you’re fortunate enough to know me very well – then I apologize in advance) but I enjoy interacting with and getting to know people… especially our customers! Without exaggeration, they are some of the most incredible people I have ever met.

What was your first job? – My first official job was with the Equicizer, here at Wooden Horse Corporation, shortly after high school.

In addition to being paid money, how else has your career created value in your life? – My job has given me the opportunity to travel and participate in many different events around the mid-west, east coast and down south a bit too. I have grown tremendously as a person since beginning my time here from the simplest tasks such as answering a telephone to writing an email to interacting with people of various backgrounds all around the world. I have met more amazing horsemen than I can count from disciplines that range the entire spectrum. My job has opened countless opportunities for me, both personally and professionally and given me the chance to be one part of a very close knit team! I feel so blessed to be doing what I am.

What does the word “family” mean to you? – When I hear the word family I immediately think of my parents, siblings and grandparents. Growing up we were and still are, very close. We're more spread out now, but I visit them every chance I get. Then I think of the family you begin to create as you grow through life… they are awesome. I am very fortunate to have had the chance to surround myself with so many strong, loving people that inspire me every day.

Do you have siblings? How many, are they older or younger? – I have 3 younger siblings. At this time they are 13 (sister), 14 (brother) and 15 (sister). The older we get, the closer we grow. They mean the world to me!


Visiting my family and siblings in Georgia, March 2018

Who is your biggest fan? – My family and friends are by far my biggest fans! I am forever grateful for the support they have and continue to show me, no matter what I choose to do.

Whose biggest fan are you? – I’d like to think I’m my siblings’ biggest fan… I will always support them no matter where they go or what they do.

What do you like to do in your spare time? – I’m a huge book worm! I love to spend time with my horse and other animals, baking, gardening, practicing my photography and continuing to educate myself on various topics in the health and wellness world which is my most recent interest.

My big, bad boy.
Intrinsic Worth aka "Shorty"

Talk about a horse you own now or one you used to own or lease. – As previously mentioned, I own an off track Thoroughbred named Intrinsic Worth (nicknamed “Shorty”). Shorty arrived in Ohio 1 week before I did in 2012. He came from a 3 year layoff in Florida where he had been recuperating from an injury after being rescued and retired by a woman who had trained and continued to follow his racing career after he had left her barn as a 3-year-old. (With many thanks and much love Hilary Pridham)

Frankie Lovato rode and won on Shorty as a 2-year-old before their careers took them in separate directions. Almost a decade later, they reunited back in Norwalk, Ohio. Shortly after, I moved to Norwalk and learned how to not only ride on Shorty, but how to gallop a race horse as well. I fell in love with him and became lucky enough to call him mine. It was nothing less than meant to be.

What is it like working in the Wooden Horse Corporation office? – It’s a very laid back and comfortable, close knit atmosphere. We have fun but we all work very hard as well. Working for a small, growing company is very rewarding and allows you to dabble in many different sections of the business. I’ve learned a tremendous amount and have gained skills in so many different areas. The future is a wide open slate and there’s no doubt it will continue to serve me moving forward.

www.equicizer.com

Equicizer Derby Digest 2018

Equicizer Derby Digest 2018

In case you missed it, the 144th annual "Run for the Roses" was held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday May 5, 2018. We send our sincere congratulations to the winning horse Justify, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith (an Equicizer user!), trainer Bob Baffert, and the group of owners!

Justify is the first horse since 1982 to win the Kentucky Derby without having raced as a two year old. Horses must be three years old to compete in the Derby.

Frankie created this Equicizer Elite in the image of Zenyatta
for jockey Mike Smith.

Did you know? 
Mike Smith, the jockey who rode Justify to victory, has an Equicizer at home in his garage! When he is unable to get to the track to ride, he uses this Equicizer to maintain his muscle memory. He said of it in a Wall Street Journal article, "If you ride that for five minutes you're extremely fit. Staying in a squat position for that long is a whole body workout." Mike Smith rode the famous Zenyatta to a 2009 Breeder's Cup Classic win and his Equicizer is modeled after the famous mare. Check out this video of Mike and jockey Chantal Sutherland giving a race demo at the Equicizer workshop, this video of his warm up before his big win at the 2016 Breeder's Cup, and this video chronicling the creation of Mike's Equicizer version of Zenyatta.

Award-winning jockey Brian Hernandez Jr working out on 
Churchill Downs' Equicizer before his ride on 
McCraken at the 2017 Kentucky Derby.

Churchill Downs has an Equicizer (pictured at left) for the jockeys to warm-up and workout on, as do many racetracks across the United States and abroad. Most commonly, they will have the functional Equicizer Classic model, but some tracks have special-made Equicizer Elites created in the image of a famous or historical racehorse. This tool, used by world-famous jockeys to warm up for races like the Kentucky Derby, can be yours! You don't have to go to the track or even leave home!

 

Did you know? 

Nineteen Derby winners have names that start with the letter S. This group includes Secretariat, the fastest horse in Kentucky Derby history, who completed the 1973 race in just under two minutes. Frankie has even made an Equicizer Elite modeled after this famous racehorse!

2018 KY Derby Show/3rd Place: Audible by -2½ lengths.
Ridden by jockey Javier Castellano and trained by Todd Pletcher.

One tool that can be very useful for those training as jockeys are the new Equicizer Elastic Rein Attachments. For training on the Equicizer, these attachments can aid a rider in developing strength and adjusting to the demands of riding racehorses. They give a more realistic feel of contact. Above, you can see the kind of contact and form Javier Castellano uses on Audible is much different than a pleasure rider. 

American Pharaoh, the 2015 Triple Crown winner, 
who was bred/owned by Zayat Stables
and trained by Bob Baffert.

Did you know? 
The Kentucky Derby is referred to as 'The Run for the Roses" because the winner is awarded a blanket sewn with over 400 roses post-race. This blanket weighs about 40 lbs. That is really heavy when you consider the maximum weight to be carried by a horse in a Triple Crown race is 126lbs! That includes the jockey, saddle, and saddle cloth. Pictured above is American Pharaoh draped in the rose blanket at the 2015 Kentucky Derby.



Written/Compiled by: Amanda Elia

www.equicizer.com