Horses have been a huge part of Kim Wendel’s life for nearly four decades. The seasoned eventer and trainer at Kim Wendel Eventing started riding in the hunter/jumper discipline when she was 7. Coming from what she calls a “non-horsey family,” Kim had to beg (and beg some more) for lessons before finally getting some through Goucher College. She started out competing in the walk-trot classes and steadily moved up before making the switch to eventing in her late 20s.

Her first horse, who she bought when she was 28, wouldn’t stay sound jumping higher than 3’6”. As a result, Kim turned to eventing not only to preserve her horse’s soundness but also to take on a new challenge. A few other horses followed, including KB Conwell, who at 20 now lives down the street from Kim in Aiken, and Happily Twisted, KB’s half-brother whom Kim and her veterinarian husband, Tom, bought for $750 despite the horse being unsound at the time. Happily Twisted ultimately carried Kim around her first Advanced and 3*L courses.

Kim was devastated when he passed away, but she found hope in a young horse she had coming up through the age-group classes — MBF Gambler. She admits that without Gambler waiting in the wings, she might have stepped away from the sport entirely.

“When you know how much time, money, commitment and luck it takes to get up the levels, it’s hard to believe you can do it again once you’ve lost the partner who enabled you to do it in the first place,” Kim said. “Now, I gauge success more by how confident I can make my young horses rather than the level they compete at.”
Gambler is currently competing at the 2* level, with hopes of continuing to move up as he’s ready. He can be bold and aggressive in competition, but at home it’s a different story. Kim can hack him around bareback or even put her non-riding child on him.

“He is truly the most genuine, amazing and special horse I have ever known,” she said. “It is my honor to be his partner. He is a unicorn.”

But he’s not the only horse in Kim’s barn. She also has three younger horses she imported from Ireland, and much of her focus now is on developing each one thoughtfully.

Her goals for the year are straightforward. In addition to moving Gambler up the ranks, she’d like to see one of those Irish imports, MBF Champ Du Boult, compete in the 5-year-old young event horse classes. If that doesn’t seem like the right step, she’ll likely bring him out at Novice instead.

“He is probably the most naturally talented horse I’ve had,” Kim said. “I like that he is secretly a bit cocky.”

She also has what she describes as a “very exciting, although difficult” off-the-track Thoroughbred she hopes to compete this year.

“Whole Lotta Lute is a freak to ride and to handle,” she said with a laugh. “I’m just trying to channel him toward good decisions.”

Through it all, Kim remains focused on growing as a rider while strengthening the partnerships she has with her horses. The “how” matters deeply to her — how to build confidence, how to keep horses performing at their best through thoughtful nutrition, veterinary care, conditioning and tack fit, and how to keep improving her own technical skills.

“As you continue in this sport, you realize how much you don’t know and how much more you want to learn,” she said.

Her favorite part of being at horse shows isn’t just the competition. It’s the opportunity to spend more time with the horses.

“At home I have all the mom, wife and business duties,” Kim said. “But at a show, I’m just there with the horses. That’s when I feel the least distracted.”

Kim is honored to be sponsored by LEGIS. She notes that everyone she works with there rides and understands the realities and challenges of the horse business. Just as importantly, they understand the intricacies of equine insurance in a way that many others, even those deeply involved in the industry, sometimes do not.
“Having someone I trust in the industry who I can call with a question about a policy, or when I actually need to use it, is invaluable,” she said. “It also gives me confidence referring clients to them.”

Kim carries both her tack and farm policies through LEGIS and has already had positive experiences with the process.

“I’ve used the tack policy and it was easy,” she said. “Thank goodness I haven’t had to use the farm one but if I did, I know it would be just as seamless and simple.”

For Kim, the value of LEGIS goes beyond coverage. It’s about having a knowledgeable, responsive team in her corner and in an industry where so much is unpredictable, that kind of partnership makes all the difference.