Meet the Staff - The Trainers
TRACY
Tracy is the engine to the farm's constant forward motion. She spent her childhood overseas as her father was an Air Force officer. Spending this early time in Europe is evident in her strong management skills, systematic training practices, and deep level of knowledge in everything horses.
After her school years, she worked for the Sivewright family who own and operate Talland, an international competition stable located in Cirencester, England. It was here she formed what would become her philosophy on producing horses and riders. Competing and working for Talland taught her to have a strong work ethic and based her skills deeply in the basics of flat work and horse management. She earned the respect of her mentors and became a Certified Instructor with the British Horse Society.
Returning to open her own competition business in 1984, Kismet Farms has grown steadily to become a highly respected producer of riders and horses. Tracy is known for her attention to detail, ability to get the most from her riders and horses, and an ability to give each horse what it needs to be successful. A common saying from Tracy is "riding doesn't follow a recipe," so having to make adjustments and improvise along the way is expected and always offers a chance to learn more.
Tracy has produced multiple riders to CCI4* level and mentors young professionals. Her riders consistently produce fantastic results and possess her view on integrity and welfare of the horse. Her teaching manner is active, strong and creative. She is constantly adapting to create a productive learning environment. She is a supportive goal setter and strives for excellence at all levels while not taking her riders beyond their ability to stay focused and comfortable.
JOLIE
Jolie grew up riding in lessons at local barns in her neighborhood starting at age seven. Soon she was riding and learning to compete with Tracy Bowman's early version of Kismet farms. She entered her first competition at age nine and was hooked. 
Being in awe of top riders and having a strong love of horses and competition drove her forward and it was evident early on she was one for the future. Her family was extremely supportive and shuttled her to any competitions that they could, but as Jolie got more competitive so did the finances, and soon she was unable to keep up. At this point Tracy had recognized her strong will and talent and began to employ her as a "working student."
Through the early years, Jolie had a series of talented, but difficult, horses that taught her patience and perseverance, and reinforced rather than abated her desire to be at the top of the sport. She loved the challenge. Slowly her work started to pay off when, in 1999, her Young Rider career took off. Having finally reached Advanced standard at age 19, she produced several horses through the levels with most of them selling on to help finance the next step in her pursuit of the top.
Jolie's style on and off the horse is rooted in character, strength, and an ability to be encouraging and giving students the confidence to try anything.
Jolie is now a partner with Tracy in the farm, with a small stable of future and current stars (see the "Kismet Horses" section), is a current USEF High Performance Squad listed rider, and has just recently married her long time fiance David Wentworth.
Meet the Staff - Working Students
COURTNEY
Courtney began riding with Kismet Farms at age 11 through a chance encounter with a neighbor up the street. Always interested in horses, her parents arranged for the neighbor to take Courtney to the barn where they rode for a couple days to see if she was really serious about riding. That barn was Kismet Farms. Shortly afterwards, Courtney started taking lessons with Tracy and quickly was able to get her first horse and started riding competitively.
Courtney moved up through the levels with various horses, placing second at her first One Star, at the age of 14, on a horse that Tracy had purchased as a 2 year old. Over the next several years, Courtney brought several horses up through the prelim/intermediate level, winning the Young Rider Prelim Horse of the Year in 1997. She also earned her bronze medal in dressage in 1997.
In the fall of 1999, Tracy accompanied Courtney to England to purchase her first big time upper level prospect. They came home with a 6 year old named Major Tango that had done a few prelims under Leslie Law. Courtney and Tango quickly formed a strong partnership and represented the Area VI Young Riders team for the One Star level in 2000. In the same year, they moved up the levels through advanced and completed their first Two Star. Over the following years, Tango competed all over the West Coast. They placed well at Fair Hill in 2001, at Foxhall in 2002 and finished in the top 1/3rd at Rolex Kentucky in 2003.
Tango was retired from competition due to various health issues in 2004, when Courtney moved away from Kismet for 3 years to finish college and get married. Courtney moved back home to Kismet in 2007 and is currently bringing up several new youngsters. She travels with Jolie to groom for the large competitions, does various pick up rides, and teaches lessons for Tracy when they are away at shows.
RACHEL
Rachel was bitten by the horse bug early on while growing up in the woods of New Hampshire. She started taking riding lessons at age 7 and joined the local chapter of 4-H. At age 10 she traded in her My Little Ponies and Breyer Horses for the real deal and bought her first horse with everything in her bank account that she had saved from birthdays and holidays. A companion pony came shortly after. Though competition opportunities were limited to 4-H and local schooling shows, she always placed in the top of the Junior English division, and was team captain of the winning 4-H Equine Junior Quiz Bowl team two years in a row. At age 15 the horses were sold in exchange for a ’78 VW Bug.
It wasn’t until after she had tried her hand at Michigan State University majoring in Interior Design and then moved to Sacramento in 2001 that she allowed horses back into her life as a permanent fixture. While getting her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Sacramento State University she was a working student at a hunter/jumper sale and training barn. She has a wealth of equine knowledge and experience, having worked in many different aspects of the competitive horse world. In 2008, she received her national certification as a NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) therapeutic riding instructor.
Rachel came to Kismet Farms in January 2007 with her horses Mariah and Rowdy. She fell in love with the rolling hills and the ocean view, as well as the friendly atmosphere and the wealth of knowledge to be gained by being part of the barn. Rachel and Rowdy recently participated in the Leslie Law clinic and are now preparing for their first event. When she’s not at the barn working or playing, she works as a therapeutic riding instructor for C.A.R.E. (Cornerstone Assisted Riding and Equitherapy).
Meet the Staff - Barn Maintenance
VICTOR
Victor has been a part of the Kismet Farms family for many years. Friendly and outgoing, he is a treasure in our day to day ability to keep the farm running smoothly. He makes dirt and weeds live in fear and works uncompromisingly at improving the appearance of the grounds. His tireless work ethic is a strong example for our staff at Kismet Farms.
Meet the Staff - Grooming
ARTEMIO
Artemio came to Kismet Farms having worked and learned his trade at some prestigious Hunter Jumper show stables. His attention to every detail of horse care is inspiring. All the horses respect his empathetic manner and melt under his hands. His daily turnout is to the highest standard. He seems to know instinctively and communicates with the team if any horse needs special attention or is unwell even before showing any outward signs.
