Bucks County's Kim Walnes

The horse world is one of a thousand opinions. It is often said that if you ask two different horse people how to do something right, you’ll get three different answers. It’s difficult to find a person who can find the good in each of the myriad different opinions that exist about horse care and training, but Kim Walnes uses her unique philosophy to pull valuable ideas and practices from nearly every school of thought. With almost unheard-of patience and openness, Kim has made it her mission to help horses and their people communicate more effectively and find joy in working together.

Kim has led a very successful life as a competitor and horsewoman. With her legendary eventing partner The Gray Goose, Kim won the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, Team and Individual Bronze medals at the World Three Day Event Championships in Luhmuhlen, Germany, placed second at the Boekelo CCI***, competed at the World Championships in Australia, and was named an alternate athlete for the 1984 Olympics. Such a list is impressive on its own, but is even more so when you consider that Kim had little to no formal training until after she had finished second in 1979 competing over most of the same course as the 1978 World Championships!

After his last Advanced horse trial in 1987, Kim retired The Gray Goose and turned her focus towards teaching and training. It was during that time that Kim faced what were possibly the greatest challenges of her life: divorce from her husband and the death of her daughter, Andrea. During the years which she spent recovering from such horrible loss, Kim devoted herself to teaching; seeking to learn all she could about different learning styles so that she could better serve and communicate with her students. It was then that she developed the unique philosophy and teaching style that has positively impacted so many people and horses.

Today Kim works out of Groveland Farm in Pipersville, PA teaching riders to handle and ride their horses effectively. Combining concepts of classical dressage, centered riding, clicker training, and natural horsemanship, Kim has earned a reputation as a miracle worker among her students. Her focus on rider safety, harmony between horse and rider, and strengthening the rider through proper position produces dramatic results. Kim places a unique emphasis on listening to the horse and adjusting the way the rider communicates, creating harmony between the two.

She is also actively training, competing, and teaching lessons with her stallion, Gideon Goodheart, who is descended from The Gray Goose’s sire. Gideon has the special privilege of being used to help timid and fearful riders overcome their anxieties. His incredible sensitivity to his riders’ emotions makes him the ideal mount to help people who have experienced trauma, fear, and injury while riding other horses. Kim feels that it is no accident she and Gideon were brought together, and the two have formed an amazing partnership and touched many lives in the process.

Bucks County residents are lucky to be in such close proximity to such an incredible trainer and horsewoman. Kim Walnes and her stallion Gideon are committed to promoting healing and communication between horses and riders, and Kim’s unique philosophy and life experience impact everyone she meets. She is just one of the reasons why eastern PA is such a wonderful place for horse people.