About

MEET THE AUTHOR/TRAINER

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Hello! I am Kirsty Sztenderowicz. I first started driving in 2010 when I was introduced to the sport in my high schools equine club, and instantly fell in love. I started documenting our “journey of a driving horse” on Instagram after purchasing my first driving prospect, Jasper, in 2016. This lead to many new opportunities in the equine industry, including people asking me for help starting their driving horses.

I now operate a small driving program in Bucks County, PA offering lessons and training to my clients and their horses. We focus on establishing clear and effective commutation between horse (or donkey!) and driver/rider that results in a real partnership. One where both the rider/driver and equine are both enjoying themselves, and progressing together.

MEET THE HERD

Opal Woods Hawks Spotted Jasper

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Jasper was born September 22, 2016. He is an AMHR registered miniature horse and a leopard appaloosa in color. He is the biggest goofball I have ever met – his personality weighs about 100 times more than the little body he’s trapped in. I’ve been out smarted by this dare devil more times than I like to admit. He spent about the first year of his life walking on two legs because he is not scared of anything and feels the need to let everyone know. We all know that one person who instantly becomes friends with everyone.. and that is my horse. He needs every horse and human to be his friend and will do just about anything to get everyone’s attention.

Opal Woods Freckled Warrior

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Miniature horses truly are like potato chips… you can’t have just one! Shortly after bringing Jasper home I knew he needed a bro his size to rough house with, so Wallace soon joined our family. He is an AMHR registered colt born on May 13, 2017. He is also an appaloosa so we now have double the spots! Wallace is basically Jasper’s opposite. He is a sweet, sensitive mamas boy who needs lots of encouragement to help him through this scary world. He loves to snuggle, but don’t let him fool you… he has absolutely no patience and has no problem letting you know when you become a bore. If you scratch his itchy spots, he will politely groom you back, and if you’re lucky you might even get a big wet kiss on the nose.

IN REMEMBRANCE

Action of Arie

Arie is a KWPN Dutch Warmblood born in 2005. One of the goofiest horses you’ll ever meet with a heart of gold. He spent his youth in the jumper ring and still loves to clear anything you put him in front of. He joined our herd in 2019 and quickly became the guardian of the mini boys. I spent many years trying to help him as best as I could with the conditions he came to me with. Unfortunately we lost our battle in the fall of 2024 when it was his time to cross the rainbow bridge. I miss him every day, and know he will forever be irreplaceable in my heart after all he had given and taught me.

Arie was truly the horse who fell into my lap when we both needed each other the most.

Before we met, I never in my wildest dreams thought I would have a horse like him. While he came to me broken, he still had so much talent, drive, and eagerness to please. His heart was pure gold.

I’ve been blessed to cross paths with some great horses in my life, but Arie was the first to truly make me a confident rider. I don’t think I ever felt actual confidence in the saddle before him. He is the one who made me feel good enough to stay in the horse world as a professional, and pushed me to become a better horsewoman.

I’m so grateful I was able to give him the love and happiness he has always deserved these last five years. He’s been a family member since day one. I’ll always be heart broken I couldn’t do more. As much as I know I did all that I, or anyone, could — it will never feel like enough. This was the last sacrifice I could make for him, and I’m at peace knowing his last day was spent in the sun, being loved on.

My boy is finally at rest, and will never be in pain again.