Kristin Darnall Titov Picks Up a New Horse’s All Around Reins
Photos at WEC-Ocala by Beth Clemons.
By Delores Kuhlwein
The bio of Kristin Darnall Titov’s Instagram page says this:
Christ Follower. Wife. CEO. Cancer Survivor. 2x NRHA Top 20 NonPro. NSBA World Champion. Patent Holder. And the list goes on…
It goes without saying Kristin Darnall Titov is not afraid of tackling new challenges, as the CEO of Hobby Horse Clothing Company who took the reins in 2017 when founder Suzanne Vlietstra retired after 40 years at the helm.
Then when Kristin was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2020, she faced cancer head-on, conquering it with the help of USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The lifelong horse lover also kept returning to the show pen with the same candor, inspired by the sacrifices her mom made when she was a kid, just so Kristin could show.
Beth and Kristin with Spook Full of Plum.
Not long ago, she transitioned from Reining to Ranch events with ex-reiner Spook Full Of Plum with the help of Beth Clemons Performance Horses. Together over a two-year period, they competed in ranch events, performance halter, and horsemanship, racking up an extensive list of accolades.
When Plum recently sold to Ashley Reischman, Kristin was ready for her next endeavor, traveling to World Equestrian Center-Ocala in a whirlwind trip this April with Beth Clemons to try horses, one in North Carolina, followed by 10 in one day at WEC.
She says, “I tried several really wonderful horses while in Ocala but just felt comfortable as soon as I got on Dillon. Having ridden reining horses for decades, it’s been a bit of a transition for me getting the feel for an all-around horse – so much to learn! But with Dillon it felt easy.”
Kristin with Machine Shop, a four-year-old by Machine Made and out of A Vidal Angel.
Dillon is better known as Machine Shop, a four-year-old by Machine Made and out of A Vidal Angel.
He’s an all-around prospect, Kristin reveals. “I’m excited to get to continue showing in the horsemanship, and I’m looking forward to learning some new events like trail and western riding. We’ll both be looking to Beth to help us learn these new events!”
Beth thanks Reid Thomas and the Reid Thomas Performance Horses trainers for making the process easy, but she explains the experience was even more profound. “I would like to say how much I appreciate a young horse who is user friendly enough for a non-pro to step on and be able to connect with immediately in a high stress environment. That is due to great training from the start from his owners and continued through Reid’s program.”
Reid also expresses his gratitude for what promises to be the perfect match. “Congratulations to Kristin and to Beth. Dillion has such a bright future in the all around events,” he says. “I’m also thankful for the opportunity to work with Jason (Ducharme) and Mallory (Menard).”
Kristin’s experience finding Dillion with the help of some of the best in the business delivered the magic of WEC-Ocala. “I’d like to extend thanks to Beth Clemons and Reid Thomas. Also appreciate the trainers of the other horses we looked at – all really were fantastic! This trip to WEC has been short but so wonderful!”
Congratulations, Kristin! We can’t wait to watch your journey together.
