Driving down the humble gravel road in San Marcos, one wouldn’t expect it to lead to KFI Show Jumping at Kingsland Farms, the home base for well-known trainer, Scott King. The barns and arenas at KFI Show Jumping aren’t fancy; that’s just not Scott’s style. But there is an underlying sense that great things happen at KFI Show Jumping.
Everything on the property is there for one reason. From the sand jumping arena, with its grass bank resting in the middle like a small oasis in the desert, to the connecting grass riding field, well-groomed with a small selection of jumps spread across the turf and the bank in the far corner. It’s all there for a reason: because it’s part of his well-formulated training program.



With 50 years experience, from the hunt field to the international ring, Scott has developed horses and riders from every level, from dead beginners to international riders.
Along with his partner, Kristy Fowler, KFI Show Jumping was carefully designed to give riders and horses of all levels, from green horses and riders to Grand Prix riders and international level horses, the tools they need to be successful in show rings.
“Everyone takes care of their own horse at home,” explains Scott, who supports and emphasizes hands-on horsecare. “They have to tack up, groom and cool down their own horse. At shows we have grooms, but at home I think it is important. This way riders learn to also be good horsemen, they learn to see problems as they are developing, how to treat them and how to prevent them in the future.”
Scott and Kristy both feel that top-quality care combined with conditioning is essential to keeping horses safe and sound while on the road showing. But they want to do more than just care for their client’s horses at KFI Show Jumping, they want to teach them how to care and manage their own horses while touring.

On the Road Again
Managing horses on the road is something they both have a great deal of experience with, this is the first time in over four years that they have spent any extended period of time at KFI Show Jumping. From now on, Scott’s touring schedule will be based around the seasonal circuits; however, he is still coordinating tours for riders.
“If a rider is serious about becoming a professional, I can show them how to get into the industry and be competitive,” explains Scott. “I know how to actually put a tour together. I will show you how to travel and where to go. How to win money on the road. My student, Alison (Friedman) never saw a bill on the road, because her horse won it all back. If a rider is still in school, I can show them how to tour and still do school. I know how to do that.”
He feels for riders to truly blossom and be successful, well-rounded horsemen they have to experience more than just Southern California. It is one of the many reasons Scott encourages well-planned campaigns of the rest of the U.S. and Canada.
Many of Scott’s riders have gone on to represent the U.S. internationally: Kyle King, CeCe and Linda Younger and Gaby Salick. Alison’s horse Riptide, ridden by Kyle King, won over $240,000 dollars in 2004, and Scott says that year, in which Riptide competed in 25 Grand Prixs, he never took a bad step. A true testament to Scott’s training program and horsecare methods.
“I feel very lucky to have landed here,” says Alison. “I have been to a lot of trainers, but I know I can really ride now, and I know it’s due to Scott and Kristy. One of the real values of working with Scott is that he buys horses you can grow with, learn on and keep forever. Riding here is hard work, and you will be challenged, but you’ll also go on the road, and you will have fun with him.”

Serious Riders Only Need Apply
Perhaps even more unusual than Scott and Kristy’s extended homestand is the fact that for the first time in 20 years Scott is opening up KFI Show Jumping to the public and taking on new students. But if you want to ride at KFI Show Jumping you need to be serious - weekend warriors and the weak of heart need not apply.
“I really want to focus on jumpers, but I will take a junior or amateur hunter rider if they are dedicated. You don’t have to jump six feet, or even want to, but you have to have that desire to learn. You have to want to be a horseman.”
Scott and Kristy have no problem developing a green rider or young horse. If truth be told, developing young horses is one of his strong points. He helped bring along many of his son, Kyle King’s, Grand Prix horses. The list is extensive, but a few of Scott’s more renowned jumper horses include French Clover, winner of the Du Murier International at Spruce Meadows, Young Fleet and Miss Evergreen ridden by CeCe Younger, and Luganda, Ocean II, Riptide and Favre, ridden by Kyle King.
Though the openings at KFI Show Jumping are limited, Scott wants equestrians to know that his doors are still open for someone starting a suitable young horse, even a young stallion; after all, they have the facilities for them.
“Scott has known so many horses and trained so many,” says Kristy. “There isn’t a problem he is going to come across that he hasn’t seen before. The farm is such a private place, and our clientele is limited, so the few will get really great attention. The entire program is very personalized and the horses are very well taken care of. There are a lot of good eyes around the barn on them.”
For more information on KFI Show Jumping call 760-310-7354 or email kristyfowler@hotmail.com.