California Riding Magazine • February, 2012

Black Star Equestrian:
Kristy A. Miller
Relocation allows expansion for busy pro devoted to Inland Empire's growth.

A. Wilson on Dragonfly

If you want to get something done, give it to a busy person. That adage applies nicely to Kristy A. Miller, proprietor of Black Star Equestrian and much more.

As of the first of this month, Kristy is settling her training and consignment sales clientele into her new home base at the Hillcrest Equestrian Center in Chino Hills. She's readying riders and horses for continued success on the local and A-rated hunter/jumper show circuits, including two weeks at Thermal, and teaching the Hunt Seat riders of Cal Poly Pomona's IHSA equestrian team.

That's not all. Kristy embarks on her second year as owner and manager of four shows sanctioned by the Inland Empire Hunter Jumper Assn., of which she is a very active First Vice President. And she's planning for a summer clinic with Rob Gage, who returns to Kristy's clientele and outside riders and auditors by popular demand.
After three terrific years at W Farms, also in Chino Hills, Black Star Equestrian needed room to expand and Kristy was thrilled to find it at Hillcrest Equestrian Center. The 30-stall show barn at the beautifully landscaped property is a perfect fit for her business. The facility's two, large and fully-lit arenas provide the space and rideable hours needed to accommodate students and the activity that comes with a thriving consignment business that sold 17 horses last year. That's no small feat in any economy and especially so in last year's.

Kristy Miller schooling a sale horse at Black Star Equestrian.

"We usually have something for everybody and I've created a niche in which trainers from Los Angeles and Orange County call me frequently about horses they have or what they need." In addition to a good reputation for integrity and straight-shooting, Kristy credits much of her consignment success to a win-win commission structure. It's a 90-day program in which the seller pays the horse's board, but training is free. If the horse is sold within the first 30 days, Kristy gets a 20% commission; 15% if it's sold within 31-60 days; and 10% within 61 to 90 days. "I have a marketing background and I saw a need for horses to get sold without the owner having to burn through several months of training fees, possibly with a trainer that's not actually trying to sell the horse. Owners who place a horse with me know I'm going to market it and sell it."

She estimates that 75% of her sales come through word of mouth and repeat customers, but she also aggressively markets the for-sale horses via the Internet, social media, print advertising, fliers and videos.

The Black Star Equestrian training program is thriving apace with the sales business. Kristy's crew of juniors and amateurs are regulars on the Los Angeles, Orange County and, of course, the Inland Empire show scenes. "We have a competitively-priced, six-day-a-week training program for everything from walk-trot to Grand Prix. Depending on each client's goals, we put together a boutique training program specifically for them."

Her clientele includes everything from A circuit riders, like those headed to weeks V and VI at Thermal, to one woman who has no interest in competing. Black Star Equestrian has several lease and lesson horses, all of which are show-quality mounts. Last year, Black Star produced four year-end IEHJA champs and a High Point Medals winner.

Kristy has also greatly enjoyed teaching the Cal Poly Pomona IHSA squad riders and happily lends horses to the team when they host competitions.

Manager's Hat

Show management is a new role for Kristy and she's wearing it well. "I wanted to see better opportunities for the great riders out here in the Inland Empire and to get away from the idea that you have to show only in LA and Orange County," she explains of her motivation. "I wanted to host shows at a quality location with impeccable footing and to spruce up the idea that people have about the shows out here."

Kristy Miller on Modern Drama

When she took over four of the Inland Empire Hunter Jumper Assn's six sanctioned shows last year, attendance started at 30 and peaked at 80 horses for these single-day affairs. Although it is not an IEHJA requirement, Kristy only hires USEF-licensed judges and she places equal emphasis on the quality of the courses, the footing and the exhibitor's overall experience.

These are high-end schooling shows at a gorgeous facility, the McCoy Equestrian Center in Chino Hills, Kristy asserts. Well-known course designer Brett Starnes has lent his expertise and veteran judge and trainer Mike Nielson met with the Footings Unlimited team to weigh in on re-vamping the footing in the venue's show and warm-up arenas.

The first of Kristy's Inland Empire Show Series competitions is March 25, with judges Mike Nielson and Carole Dean Porter. The next is May 6, with Ellen Gates and Liz Frazier officiating, followed by July 22 and Sept. 30.

In addition to creating a great circuit for local riders, these shows are already attracting contenders from beyond the area, Kristy notes. Three of her four shows are co-approved by the San Fernando Valley Hunter Jumper Assn., which she predicts will further raise the level and breadth of competition. Wherever they come from, competitors can count on more bang for their buck. "Typical entry fees for the day are under $100 to $125, so they are getting a great return on their dollar."

Having taken her cue from her trainers as a junior, the late Mark Mullen and Victor Hugo-Vidal, Kristy is making her mark as a successful professional who understands that serving the sport serves all.

For more information on all aspects of Black Star Equestrian, visit www.blackstarequestrian.com, on the Inland Empire Show Series, visit www.ieshowseries.com, or www.iehja.org, or call Kristy A. Miller at 714-397-1838 about all of the above.