Spotlight: Kelly Kocher Reflects on Ten Years at Tryon International

McKenna Honeycutt for Tryon International

In recognition of Tryon International’s Ten Year Anniversary Celebration presented by Camp Electric Co., hosted July 6th as part of Saturday Night Lights presented by Stuller Power Solutions, we are spotlighting some of our loyal competitors who have been visiting the venue since 2014. Kelly Kocher, trainer, coach, and rider, has lived in the Tryon area for 27 years. He has come to Tryon International since the very first show in 2014 as both rider and trainer, competing and coaching up to the Grand Prix level. We had the chance to speak with Kelly Kocher about his experiences at Tryon International throughout the past decade. Read below to learn more about his favorite TIEC memories and more!

What are some of your biggest achievements? 

I've done everything, from showing upper-level Grand Prix, coaching Grand Prix riders, owning Grand Prix horses, taking young children to USEF Pony Finals, to the Hunters and all the Indoor Hunter Finals, including Devon and Equitation Finals. I’ve done quite a lot over the years.

How long have you been coming to Tryon International?

I have been at Tryon International as a trainer, coach, and competitor since it opened and haven't missed a horse show yet! I always have stalls there throughout the whole season.

Julianna Empie and Ahron EP in their presentation ceremony alongside Kelly Kocher and Laura Leigh Rhett Lewis.
©Natalie Suto Photography

What's been your favorite memory at Tryon International that you've made so far?

Coaching amateurs and professionals, and getting them to a point so they can jump their first Grand Prix. Tryon is a place where you can do that, because it's one place where you can build a horse and rider together, and kind of come up the ranks using the same facility because you're getting consistency.

Clients, junior riders, and even amateurs are able to achieve goals that maybe they could not achieve otherwise, because it's in our backyard. For example, a young junior rider from Spartanburg, SC can qualify their hunters for all the major indoor events, like Junior Hunter Finals and Devon, and never leave town. We get to get it all done in our backyard! Most people cannot do that; they have to travel. Because I'm local, I don't have to travel.

What is your favorite part about coming to Tryon International?

Well, I live here; I don't go to hotels and all that stuff. The biggest thing I like about Tryon as a facility is that it is user-friendly. And when I say that, it's easy from a working horseman’s perspective, and for my employees; the way it's set up like a compound is very physically easy to work. Most horse shows are kind of rural, where Tryon offers the same atmosphere, but in a more of a compound setting, where everything you need is right there, and when your horse is showing on a hot summer day, that's very nice.

What's one piece of advice that you would give to an aspiring rider?

As a very young rider coming up the ranks, I think the most important thing is to understand your strengths and, like any sport, set the bar reasonably and know your limitations. This applies to the horse, too. [Prioritizing your partnership with your] horse, and staying within the horse's limitations is important, so you can both progress in the proper manner and not try to put yourself in a situation where you're trying to do something that just can't be done.

Anything else you would like to add?

I feel very fortunate to have this in my backyard as a trainer, and I can go to a facility capable of developing both horses and riders from the starting point to the finish line. At whatever level they desire to get to, they can do it. Tryon provides all different levels of horse shows: you have your B Shows and Welcome shows - your smaller, three-day shows - and then you have your five stars. You can really, really constructively develop a horse and rider, both financially and conveniently. 

To learn more about our ten year history, click here. 

To make plans to join us this weekend for our Ten Year Anniversary Celebration presented by Camp Electric Co., click here.