KIM VINOSKI
Biography
By Robby Johnson
For Scottsville, Virginia, three-day event rider Kim Vinoski, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games solidified the then ten year-old girl's dream of one day riding at the international level.
"Two words defined it," she said. "Ginny Leng. Priceless. Well, I guess that's three words! Or is it 'those' are three words?"
As the daughter of two English majors, Vinoski laughs when she remembers her mother's constant admonishment of "there is no such construct in the English language."
Having a mother who was not only grammatically-aware, but also passionate about horses, helped put her on the fast track to success in realizing her dream.
"My mother always wanted me to ride. She wanted that for me, not for her. And that support is what is truly 'priceless' in the whole equation," she remembered.
Now appearing on the USET three-day short-list for the third time, Vinoski hopes to compete her 2002 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** winner Winsome Adante at the Word Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain in September. Vinoski is also on the list of alternates with another horse, the Australian-bred Royal Venture, who was imported in January and who completed the CCI**** at Adelaide in November, and placed fifth at the Bramham CCI*** in England this year, finishing on his dressage score.
"With this being my third time on the short list (the other two times were for the 1999 Pan American Games, and the 2000 Sydney Olympics and she didn't make the team when, both times, her horse had soundness issues), I'm really crossing my fingers that it will be the charm," she admits. "It takes a lot of hard work just to get on the list, and once you're there, you begin to obsess over keeping your horse sound and functional and fit to take on the task if you get selected to compete," she said.
"I'm really excited and want nothing more than to represent my country in international competition," she said.
So what does it take to get to the level Vinoski has reached?
"Teamwork, teamwork, and more teamwork!" she exclaims. "And good horses to ride!"
Based at owner Linda Wachmeister's Plain Dealing Farm just outside Charlottesville, Vinoski has responsibilities for managing the event horse operations. Her support staff includes grooms Lily Bennett and Molly Hooper, who ensure everything is in good repair, and that the horses are well-attended and appointed.
"Molly and Lily are an integral part to my success as a competitor," Vinoski said proudly. "While I do all of the riding of the horses at home, they are very good to do some of the light conditioning work like trotting and hacking when my schedule prevents me from it."
As a rider Vinoski has developed her own philosophy about riding and horses. "Your horse must be in front of your leg so that you have something to connect him too," she said. "Don't get sucked into the false sense of security that a dull horse can sometimes provide."
"Stay organized when you're jumping - land and look and make a plan for the course before you even cross the start flags!"
"And, just to make it easier on yourself later, install a 'whoa' on your horse, and make sure he understands it. I cannot recount enough how teaching my horses to come back and stop when I ask them to has gotten me out of some pretty sticky situations," said Vinoski.
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