Quality training is the combination of so many details well beyond just lessons. The well known proverb, “it takes a village to raise a child,” can easily be applied to the development and care of our equine athletes. Blue Star Farms works closely with a harmonious team of industry specialists working together to cater to every aspect of your horse’s health and performance. To ensure the top quality care and communication between trainers, veterinarians, farrier, chiropractor, nutritionalist, etc. Blue Star Farms asked that your horse’s care be managed by our team.
Owner/Head Trainer – Kristin Jacob, Ph.D.
Horses are Kristin’s greatest passion, and from an early age she has competed on the Hunter/Jumper circuit through the Grand Prix level on the West Coast. Kristin has both piloted and coached multiple horses and riders to USEF Horse of the Year and CHJA Year-End awards and championships in the Hunters, Jumpers, and Equation. In addition to Kristin’s dedication to the Hunter/Jumper discipline, Kristin also takes great influence in working with horses in the vaquero (buckaroo) traditions to help her horses become confident and independent in any job or situation. Kristin is a USHJA Trainer Certification Program certified trainer and sits as a member of the CHJA board. Her academic education includes a B.S. degree in Geology from Sonoma State University and a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Assistant Trainer – Faith Wille
Faith has ridden most of her life and has been teaching for 34 years since graduating from William Woods University. Faith has had the opportunity to work in a wide variety of disciplines which has led her to be a well rounded teacher, but her heart has always been in the Hunter/Jumper industry. Her biggest goal as a teacher is to instill confidence and further the development of horse and rider. She has experience showing and teaching in all 3 rings (hunter, jumper, and equations) and loves working with the younger riders and ponies.
Veterinarian – Christy L. Downey, DVM
Dr. Downey hails from ranching communities in west central South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. She completed a bachelors degree in Zoology from the University of Wyoming, and spent a year working as a veterinary assistant at racetracks in New Mexico. Christy attended Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences receiving her DVM in 2001. Dr. Downey is the owner and head veterinarian of Quality Equine Veterinary Services. Outside of work, Christy enjoys supporting her husband in team roping, attending activities of her children Clay and Sydney, and entertaining activities to keep fit.
Dr. Downey and Blue Star Farms also collaborates with both Littleton Equine Medical Center and Colorado State University for further diagnostics, treatments, and work with specialists.
Chiropractor, acupuncturist, and nutritionalist – Pam Muhonen DVM, CVA, CERP, CEV, MMP
D. Pam Muhonen founded Timberwind Veterinary Services in 1999 to provide evidence based, integrative medicine solutions to the Northern Front Range of Colorado. She works with all species but her current practice focus is on the equine performance horse. She treats horses competing in most disciplines and breeds from Draft horses to driving ponies and everything in between. Pam has been honored to train with many fine postgraduate programs including the Chi Institute, The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, Equinology, The Equine Rehabilitation Institute, and Colorado State University, among others. She is nationally recognized as an instructor in Equine and Canine Acupuncture. This diverse background and exposure to many diagnostic paradigms help support a rich and effective approach to evidence based applications of integrative veterinary medicine. She has a particular interest in the diagnosis and treatment of equine neck and back dysfunction. Her interest in Saddle Fit began almost 50 years ago as a competitive western rider and continues as a veterinarian focusing on equine wellness and performance.
Farrier – Matt Keil
Matt attended Oklahoma State Shoeing School and has been a full time farrier since 1995. He apprenticed under Bill Kelly, who taught shoeing at Cal Poly and also under the great H/J farrier, Sandy Montrose. Matt has provided farrier services for an impressively wide range of horses including rope horses, barrel horses, wild Mustangs, barrel horses, race horses, cutting horses, pleasure horses, and of course show jumping H/J horses and has shod horses from Texas to the Rocky Mountain region to Canada. Matt believes it is important for the long-term soundness of each horse to be able to study and trim each foot based on the horse’s bone structure and to be able to adjust techniques to fit the needs of each horse as an individual. Matt resides in Wheatland, WY where he additionally works to provide farrier services for the BLM wild Mustangs, and enjoys ranching and riding with friends and family.