Perspective Enhances Performance: Carissa Haigh’s Journey

Featured in Arabian Horse Times

Carissa Haigh never had a question about what she wanted to do for a living. From the time she was doing laps in lead line with her aunt Cathy Barker Seeton at the end of the rope, she knew she wanted her life to be spent in the saddle. Her late grandmother – “Ma” Barker as they called her – introduced their family to the Arabian horse and none of them looked back. As Carissa grew up, the school-age summers she spent with her aunt and grandma have paid off in many ways, like first jobs and eventually running her own business Haigh Performance Horses. But, the life lessons she has gathered in making this a career stretch far beyond what can be learned in the day-to-day tasks.

For many people in any industry, it can take decades to gain a healthy perspective with their work. We see horse trainers struggle with it in a unique way. They are on stuck on a hamster wheel, going from horse show to horse show – trying to grow their businesses and break into a network that runs generations deep. It is not uncommon to see these young professionals get lost in the chase or burnout all together.

Carissa had her perspective on life and this business shift instantly in the form of a bad horse fall seven years – almost to the day – ago. It resulted in severe brain trauma, multiple days in a coma, a lengthy ICU and hospital stay, and extensive rehabilitation that included re-learning how to do most things from walking, talking, and eventually riding. Her life, which she credits to the first responders who got to her within five minutes of her accident, is a miracle. And being able to return to normal life, including riding was the cherry-on-top of an already unbelievable situation.

“It was a big eye opener that your life can change in a split second,” she recounted. “I learned to appreciate life in a different way. Enjoy your family and friends, because life isn’t all about work.”

What has come from growing up as a third-generation member of the Arabian horse community and a life-alerting event like the one she went through has resulted in a balanced, but focused professional. Carissa and her family also lost their matriarch Ma less than one year ago, which understandably changed her.

“She is the foundation for all of us loving Arabian horses,” Carissa said. “It is in my blood because of her. I am so grateful for her love and for introducing me to this breed.”

With her beyond-her-years perspective, she wants to encourage other young trainers and people coming up in the industry to soak up the gratitude that comes with riding these horses every day. She is focused on having healthy, happy horses and clients who know that the ribbons always come second to their horses’ best interests.

“We do this because we love the horse,” she stated simply. “They rely on us and that is a large responsibility.”

Her client Jenissa commends her by saying, “Carissa is quick to reward both her horses and riders. She truly enjoys bringing out the best in each horse and rider.”

The gratitude for people who have gotten her here is just as deep as the joy she feels for making her childhood dreams come true. She, of course, wants to thank her family who introduced her to this lifestyle, Chris and Shan Wilson who helped her make her mark, and John Stroemer for always believing in her and being a catalyst for Haigh Performance Horses. Carissa wants to specially thank her fiancé Lyndon Kays who has quite literally helped her build this business. He helps her with horse care, fixes things around the property, and most importantly, just wholeheartedly supports her dreams.

With lessons learned and these people by her side (and watching from above), Haigh Performance Horses has all the makings for something special.