Rooted in a Love of Horses: Cassidy Curtis’ Growth

Featured in Arabian Horse Times

Cassidy Curtis was recently named APAHA Grass Roots Instructor of the Year. At a time where the Arabian horse community is concerned about the decline of new people and families entering, she says her best piece of advice is “to invite [new people] to meet some of our Arabian horses. And then let them do most of the work!” She continued that these horses are hard to not fall in love with. Isn’t that what is this all boils down to? Loving horses.

There are plenty of activities, sports, and extra curriculars that any parent can pick from for their child. And even among equestrian sport, there are dozens of breeds they could get involved in. But, something about the Arabian horse is different. Cassidy has known that from a young age and now has built her career on that testament. These horses just have a special way of making you “fall in love.”

She is clear that although it starts with the instant connection you can create with an Arabian, the benefits of loving one of these horses stretches far beyond the rush you get when you swing a leg over, the joy of hearing their nicker welcome you into the barn, or the comfort you feel by burying yourself into their soft coat. This community of horses and people can change lives, just like it did hers.

“The Arabian horse community is a great group of people to get to know and have in your corner,” she shares. “I have seen students stay friends long after their youth careers, parents of students continue friendships when their children are done, and many others come back because they just can't stay away!”

When she was in high school, Cassidy’s parents leased out the farm she and her siblings had grown up on. She took this as her sign (or so she thought) to pursue an entirely different career. “I didn’t want to do it like that,” she repeated the thoughts her teenage brain had all those years ago. She was halfway through her nursing degree when things changed. The trainer who had been leasing the facility left and it was now up to her to keep the property in her family.

A Hallmark Movie would show b-roll of her showing up to clinicals in her barn clothes with few moments to spare as she changed into scrubs. Although this was how she was saving her dream, this was not fantasy. For the last two years of college, she took over the small boarding and lesson program that was left and did all things necessary of a full-time nursing student. By the time she was done with college, she was packing up her first set of clients to take to a horse show. Curtis Performance Horses was born, whether she meant that to happen or not. Now eight years later, she is preparing to take 13 horses to the upcoming Youth/Mid Summer Nationals.

The CPH Team

Cassidy is the first person to recognize the incredible team behind her at CPH and Western Michigan Riding Academy. WMRA was established just about a year ago, giving their already-proven lesson program some additional branding and validity. There is a complex, but intentional team that helps both the training and academy programs.

“I have several amazing and talented trainers and instructors,” she raves about her support. “They do just what it takes to bring new people in and not just teach them to ride and leave, but to know and love horses. Their sacrifice of time and energy, the dark cold winter evenings and hot summer lessons, is the reason CPH and WMRA have had incredible growth!”

Her sister Corazon is the most crucial piece to the puzzle in her eyes. She calls her the “foundation” of the riding academy, her second-hand when it comes to training, and the “creator of fun” for clients of both CPH and WMRA.

Corazon comes up yet again when discussing the mission statement of CPH. Cassidy remembers trying to sum up her vision into something so succinct and says her sister was right there to help her identify the right words. The CPH mission is as follows, “CPH exists to Glorify God through the development of Arabian and Half Arabian equine enthusiasts.”

The CPH Way

As hinted at earlier, the CPH team is coming into Oklahoma City with a strong and mighty group of horses and riders. They are fresh off a very successful Region 11. And (in real time) are preparing for another group to head to Region 13. This is the largest group of horses that Cassidy has taken to the national competition. It won’t come as a surprise that the APAHA Grass Roots Instructor of the Year has a vast majority of youth riders with their sights set on the brand new OG&E Coliseum. But, Cassidy is excited to share that she has two adult amateurs going as well. One of the growth metrics she is most proud of in recent years is the increase of adult amateurs in her program.

Her real gift is with the young riders, which has led to her success in introducing new people into the breed and in competition.

“Our youth program has had a primary focus on education from the ground up - strong equitation skills, horsemanship, biomechanics,” she shares some of her best practices. “I believe it our responsibility to teach them as much as possible in and beyond the show ring.”

Keeping true to her message of being grateful for these Arabian horses, Cassidy gives a lot of credit to her success with young riders to the horses who care for them. After comparing their value to that of gold, she added that “they are instructors alongside us.”

Thanks for Cassidy’s leadership the CPH team of instructors, horses, and riders are prepared to find success – in so many ways. It is nothing short of impressive that someone can excel at providing a welcoming environment for people who have never spent a moment with a horse and at preparing teams for a national stage.

What does Grass Roots mean?

“To me, grass roots is the entry level, where life with an Arabian horse starts for most people,” Cassidy shares when asked to define the category of Arabian horse life where she was awarded. “It's inviting and not intimidating. Many potential competitors walk into a performance barn and think ‘I could never do that’ but they may walk in and see someone working through the basics, proper horsemanship and just having a good time and want to get started!”

The distinction of inviting versus intimidating stands out. People who are already comfortable with the intense competition and routine of this ‘side’ of Arabian horses may find it easy to forget what that feels like to a newcomer. This stays at the forefront of the CPH and WMRA approach. They do not pressure people to transfer from their academy program into the competitive circuit. Though, much like falling in love with an Arabian horse, this normally comes naturally for each person, in their own time.

“When [our riders] are ready to take the next step, they become a part of our Curtis Performance Horses show team,” she says. “If they want to just ride once a month forever, that is perfectly acceptable also.”

Cassidy has relied on her Arabian horses and this community her whole life. She wisely channeled that personal connection into a business model, finding her national recognition. There is no limit to what she can accomplish with that love so alive within all things she does.