"Kristen is a respected horsewoman in the Eventing and Dressage community. She has shown dedication to the sport with her outstanding performance in competition and excellence in horsemanship. She furthers her education in equestrian sports by taking lessons on a routine basis in both dressage and jumping. She also gives back to the horse community by volunteering her time to teach younger members in her pony club."
Kristen was born in 1984 to Adam and Gail Willie, and began riding at an early age. Kristen got her first horse, Bayberry at the age of 10, and started showing by the age of 11. Not until later in her riding career did she discover competitive eventing. Kristen grew up in 4-H, where she actively showed pigs, cattle, lambs and rabbits. Kristen was an active member of Pony Club from 1995 until she graduated from Redland Hunt Pony Club in 2009. She credits her breakthrough into Eventing to her horse A Deck Above. Kristen climbed the levels of Eventing with Decker and successfully competed up to Training level. In 2007, Kristen and A Deck Above were awarded 3rd in the Nation for Adult Amateur Training Rider, and 4th in the Nation for Adult Training rider.
Decker set the bar high for Kristen's first home-bred No Halo Here, "Briley". Briley successfully competed up to the Intermediate level and in 2011 won their first CIC1* at Fair Hill International on their dressage score of 51!
Kristen's other competition horse, Lord Ivanhoe "Ivan" successfully competed up to the Preliminary level in Eventing and in 2011 won the Area II, 3-Day Training Event at Waredaca with a final score of 29, the best in all 3 Divisions competing that weekend! Kristen also enjoys competitive Dressage and earned her bronze medal in 2017 and her silver medal in 2018 aboard Lord Ivanhoe from the United States Dressage Federation. Ivan and Kristen currently compete at the FEI level in Dressage.
Platinum Edition, "Miles" is Kristen's other competition horse who is currently competing in both Eventing and Dressage.
Kristen &
Platinum Edition
- 2023 - Lord Ivanhoe Received USDF Horse Performance Certificate at Intermediate 1.
- 2022 - Ranked by USDF for Dressage Horse of the Year at Intermediate 1 aboard Lord Ivanhoe.
- 2021 - Potomac Valley Dressage Association (PVDA) FEI Reserve Champion (Intermediate 1).
- 2019 - Lord Ivanhoe Received USDF Horse Performance Certificate at Prix St. Georges.
- 2019 - Ranked by the USDF for Dressage Horse of the Year at Prix St. Georges aboard Lord Ivanhoe.
- 2019 - Placing 5th at their First Showing at CBLM Championships at Prix St. Georges aboard Lord Ivanhoe.
- 2019 - Rider Achievement for Qualifying for the Regional Dressage Championships at Prix St. Georges aboard Lord Ivanhoe.
- 2018 - United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Silver Medal awarded to Kristen Parris aboard Lord Ivanhoe.
- 2017 - United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Bronze Medal awarded to Kristen Parris aboard Lord Ivanhoe.
- 2017 - won the USEA Open Training Horse Trial event at Waredaca Farm (Area II) on Lord Ivanhoe finishing on their dressage score of 19.6; this was the lowest score of all the 276 entries during this weekend event.
- 2016 - Won the Area II Novice Three Day on Trish Capone's Untouchable.
- 2016 - Trish Capone's Untouchable Received USEA Blue Ribbon Award at the Novice Level.
- 2012 - No Halo Here Received USEA Gold Medal at Preliminary Level.
- 2012 - Lord Ivanhoe Received USEA Blue Ribbon Award at Training.
- 2012 - Lord Ivanhoe Received Two, USEA Gold Medals at Training.
- 2011 - Ranked 36th and 39th on the USEF Leading Breeders and Owners Leaderboards Respectively.
- 2011 - No Halo Here Received USEA Blue Ribbon Award at the Preliminary Level.
- 2011 - No Halo Here Received USEA Silver Medal at the Preliminary Level.
- 2011 - Lord Ivanhoe Received USEA Blue Ribbon Award at the Training Level.
- 2011 - Lord Ivanhoe Received USEA Silver and Gold Medals at Training Level and a USEA Silver Medal at Novice Level.
- 2011 - Won the Preliminary Championships at the VA HT - Finished on the Best Score of All Prelimanary Divisions at 33.6.
- 2011 - Won the Area II Training Three Day with Lord Ivanhoe - Finished on the Best Score of All 3 Divisions at 29.
- 2011 - Won CIC* at Fair Hill International Spring HT Riding No Halo Here - Finished on their Dressage Score of 51.2.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR KRISTEN PARRIS
Kristen is an international, 3-day eventer competing at the intermediate level and a silver medalist with the USDF. Kristen has earned a reputation for her endless devotion to her horses and to ensuring her students, clients and owners are successful at all their endeavors. Kristen is a true sportsman and an ultimate competitor as this has been evident in her quick rise and success in the sport of eventing and dressage since she started competing in 2008.
Kristen & Lord Ivanhoe
In June of 2008, Kristen married Darren Parris. Kristen and Darren have known each other since the earlier days at Maple Spring. Darren is Kristen’s rock. He is so supportive of her devotion and love to her horses. The couple resides on the family farm and have two wonderful Rottweilers named Titan and Rugar.
ABOUT KRISTEN
Kristen also uses Saratoga Horseworks Ltd. products for all her competition horses. Please contact her directly for additional information.
Kristen and Ivan were highlighted on the back cover of the USEA Omnibus for 2012 after their 2011 Training 3-Day Win at Waredaca.
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Kristen and Lord Ivanhoe
Kristen and Lord Ivanhoe - PVDA FEI Reserve Champion, 2021
Kristen and Lord Ivanhoe - PVDA FEI High Score and Win for I1, 2022.
Kristen and Platinum Edition Competing at Waredaca, 2023.
