Jose Hernandez
Professional Profile

BACKGROUND | TRAINING

Background - Jose was born in Jocotitlan, Mexico to an equestrian family. There, his father was a well-respected trainer specializing in the Spanish-French classical school and bullfighting on horseback. Jose was fortunate to grow up in a horse culture, showing early inclination towards any and all equine related activities. By the age of nine he decided to make a career of horse training, beginning to help his father in the lower levels of training. Working with the local farmers and their plow horseso was Jose's first introduction to driving horses.

When his family re-located to the United States in 1990, Jose continued to pursue his life-long dream. With help from friends and family, he started training young horses for a variety of different horse disciplines, including dressage and reining. During this time Jose met Molly Webster who had imported several Dutch Harness Horses, some of which were broke to drive. He was fascinated by the driving world, with a strong desire to learn more.

Compelled to help Jose, Molly Webster enlisted her Dutch trainer come to the U.S. and give Jose formal driving lessons including the Dutch and Hungarian Styles. Soon after he began these formal lessons, h e met Michael Muir and assisted him in driving competitions,qualifying Michael for the Disabled Driving World Championships.

After traveling all over the United States with Michael, Jose was hooked on competing. At the age of 20 he decided to strive for a spot on the Mexican Equestrian Team, aiming for the 2000 Single World Championships with Molly's Dutch Harenss Horse stallion, Imposant. Over the next year, with lots of hard work, he accomplished his goal. Sadly, the World Championships were cancelled at the last minute due to the spread of the West Nile virus in the United States.

At the end of these three long traveling years, Jose was still getting the feel of his traveling shoes. He was invited by Michael Muir, then President of United States Driving for the Disabled, to go on a Journey Across America. Jose accepted and a 10-month-long land-odyssey ensued from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC. Jose faced many unusual and exciting horsemanship challenges like going over half mile long bridges made of metal mesh allowing a view of the rushing river or a semi truck flying by at 50mph, sounding his horn all the way. It was a once in a lifetime experience that opened doors for his future.

Concluding the journey, Jose took a training job at a Paint and Appendix barn in Clements, CA. After training horses for five months, he realized that his heart was with driving horses. He left California to train at the Gayla Driving Center in Georgetown, KY, which he had been introduced to during the journey. Jose now offers his training services to customers as well as volunteering as an instructor for United States Driving for the Disabled.

Training - Jose believes that horses are special creatures. He works on a basis of trust and uses the most subtle means to create a strong foundation. Jose prepares each horse to cope with any situation they may face, working to bring out the hidden talent in each horse. Since the beginning of this training career at Gayla, he has trained many different and challenging equines to drive. He lives for the experience of training and the challenge of a new equine.

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