I will have to be completely honest. When I put out the model call and Kelsey responded, I was over the moon. I could hardly wait to get her and her stunning mare in front of my camera!! You could tell instantly from her application that Kelsey and Fergie would be a perfect representation of diversity in the equine community.
Our first date of choice was rained out, but Kelsey was quick to get us rescheduled and Kentucky did not disappoint! The weather was stunning, the golden light was butter soft, and everything fell into place as if it was straight out of a story book. Talking with Kelsey almost felt like talking to an old friend. She is charismatic, genuine, witty, and simply a pleasure to be around. Add in her super sweet pup, goofy chickens, and stoic mare; there is enough personality to fill any space.
Kelsey and Fergie were a team for a commercial carriage driving company in Indianapolis. As someone who once lived just outside of Indy, we had a lot to chat about. But the conversation was far from exclusive to discussing Indiana.
I got the chance to talk to her about her roll as an instructor at the farrier school.
“As a farrier instructor, I enjoy teaching young adults and adults not only a wonderful profession and skill set, but also how wonderful their bodies can be! I encourage my students to be fit, whatever shape that looks like. I want each of my pupils to leave school surprised at how they have grown in both mental and physical toughness during their time at the school.”
Kelsey was very open with me about the difficulties she faced during her stint working in the hunter industry. She noted how not coming from money, and not fitting a traditional small blonde body type made her stick out, and not in a good way. She admitted to me that she left the hunter/jumper world for her own mental health after struggling with the constant feeling of not good enough. She told me how disheartening it is to constantly see printed media and social media almost exclusively displaying skinny white blonde models, and continuing to push the sense that you have to fit into the cookie cutter mold to make it.
After leaving the hunter/jumper world, Kelsey excelled in her carriage driving career, before becoming a talented farrier. Beyond being hardworking and passionate, she has excelled in this career choice and is even an instructor. She is a strong believer in women filling "non traditional" rolls in the equine industry, sharing:
“I love having the ability to advocate for professional female farriers! We are undervalued and underappreciated in this industry, and it is about time that changes. I love seeing the young women in my class not only excel, but to outperform their male counterparts in every way.”
It was genuinely such a good time getting to talk with Kelsey and share the gorgeous evening with her and Fergie. And I walked away from it feeling invigorated by her passion for others in all shapes and forms. If you are passionate, chase that passion, even if you think you aren't from the same mold. Maybe, that is exactly what your industry needs.
