Discovering a Love for Horses
As a child, Kim Dunn was captivated by the majestic beauty of horses. Despite not coming from a 'horsey' family, her fascination was fueled by movies like "Black Beauty" and "The Black Stallion," and she devoured horse-themed novels. However, it wasn't until her late teens that she began riding regularly and discovered her true passion for horses. This newfound love came when she was searching for direction in life, and horses became her compass.
The Road Less Traveled
Kim's journey in horsemanship was far from traditional. After working as a groom and taking lessons, she embarked on a journey that exposed her to various styles of horse riding. She attended a horse college and worked at an eventing yard, but the conventional path of becoming an instructor or going hunting didn't resonate with her. This led to a period of frustration and uncertainty.
A Detour to Adventure
While waiting for a visa to return to America for an apprenticeship in horsemanship with Freestyle Reining champion, Equine Entertainer and Performer, and Road to the Horse winner and competitor Dan James of DoubleDan Horsemanship. Kim found herself stuck in a call centre job that she despised. Determined not to miss the opportunity to see she decided to travel to America on a holiday visa. However, her plans were thwarted at the border between Canada and the US, leaving her stranded with two other people. Turning adversity into adventure, they traversed Canada, staying with Niki Flundra, Multiple award-winning Canadian Equine Entertainer and Performer, Movie and TV Horse Trainer.
A Year of Growth and Learning
2019 was a transformative year for Kim. She worked with a mix of ex-racehorses and Australian stock horses, honing her dressage, liberty, and cow work skills. She also had the opportunity to start a difficult mare from scratch with liberty training, a valuable learning experience that enriched her understanding of horse behaviour. During this time, she also spent time with Warwick Schiller, another influential figure in the horse industry.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Change
Kim's return to the UK in 2020 was marked by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted her plans to launch her business. However, she found solace working with her friend Louise and her horses in the Cotswolds. During this time, she received an unexpected offer to loan a black quarter.
The Birth of Idyllwild Horsemanship
While in Canada, Kim delved into self-development, reading books on horse training and self-improvement. This sparked her journey in self-improvement and led to the creation of her online course. Incorporating elements like hypnotherapy, and neuro-linguistic programming, Kim designed a course that helps people overcome challenges with their horses and fosters personal growth. She takes immense satisfaction in witnessing her clients' transformation over three months.
A Vision for the Future
Kim is passionate about providing people with the tools to help themselves and their horses. She believes that this not only builds confidence but also strengthens the bond between horse and rider. She is deeply concerned about people giving up on riding and horses due to a lack of resources and support, and she is committed to changing this narrative through her work at Idyllwild Horsemanship.
