by Chris Lomon

For Kristyann Rash, challenges, big or small, short term or long haul, are embraced, not avoided.

Even at an early age, obstacles and impediments never fazed the Baltimore-born Rash.

The more daunting the barrier, the more determined she was.

It is an approach that has continued to guide Rash in every facet of her life.

“I have always been a person who has never shied away from challenges – it’s something that I have always had in me,” she said.

Just like her love of horses.

Rash had an early introduction to them and quickly developed a fondness for all breeds.

“I started going to the racetrack as a child and that’s when I fell in love with horses,” she said. “I started with riding horses when I got older. I was probably 12 or 13 when I started going to the local auctions. I would go there, get some young horses and break them to saddle.”

For a time, Rash would sell one type of horsepower to purchase another.

“I would break those horses to saddle, sell them and buy myself a dirt bike,” she said with a laugh. “But I always loved the ones who were challenging – they were my favorites. It was always rewarding when you were able to teach them, work with them, and then feel that sense of accomplishment when you achieved your goals with them.”

Eventually, over time, Rash learned something about herself, specifically, what the future held for her in terms of a career.

“When I would go to the track with my father, I would realize more and more that I would likely end up in the harness racing industry at some point – it’s what I wanted to do,” she said.

The road to that dream did not come without its challenges.

“I had two young kids at the time, and for a time, I lost touch with my dream,” Rash said. “I had a couple of riding horses and an off-track standardbred, and someone I knew told me they had a mare, and that if I wanted to get into the business, we could go in as partners.

“Three weeks later, I started as an owner. I just jumped right in.”

Challenge accepted.

“Honestly, it was intimidating, at first,” Rash said. “It’s a huge learning curve, getting to know the ins and outs, the equipment – so you need to be committed to learning.”

Ownership quickly led to other aspirations.

“I wanted to learn as much as I could, so the idea of becoming a trainer happened quickly,” she said. “The trainers I was working under when I was an owner helped me with so much. I learned to jog, learned about the equipment – for two years, I immersed myself into all things racing and learning the business.

“People would tell me that I should get my trainer’s license, but it took a while before I felt confident to do it.”

Rash was happy she did.

“I filled out the application,” she said. “There were a hundred-some questions, but I studied a lot. I felt confident when I wrote it.”

On Sept. 9, Rash was the listed trainer when ZS Dream, a horse she owned, went postward at Harrington Raceway.

“His hind end had been bothering him a bit, he had a rib out of place – he was in a field when another horse kicked him,” she said. “I thought to myself, ‘What a great time to get my trainer’s license.’”

While it was not a storybook finish — the 6-year-old pacer finished seventh — Rash felt a sense of pride in having accomplished her goal of joining the training ranks.

One week later, again at Harrington, ZS Dream finished sixth.

There were signs that the night of Sept. 16, this time at Rosecroft Raceway, could be a memorable one for Rash.

The racing stars seemed to align for ZS Dream, driver Russell Foster, and for a hopeful, yet nervous trainer.

“He has a tougher time with the turns at Harrington, but he raced well at Rosecroft, so we thought it could be a good situation for him,” Rash said.

Facing eight rivals in the first race, the veteran gelding had a favorable post, favoritism on the board and a fortuitous start to the curtain-raising dash.

ZS Dream was a length on top after an opening panel in :27 and pushed that advantage to 1½ lengths through a half in :56.

The gelding was still comfortably in control at the three-quarter pole in 1:24.4.

Rash, in the paddock, watching the race on television, suddenly felt the urge to look away.

“The whole time, I was telling myself, ‘It will be what it will be,’” she said. “I’m usually very quiet and don’t say much. Then I’m watching them cut the mile and I am sweating.

“I had a groom there helping me and I told her that I was going to close my eyes and that she could tell me if he stops.”

ZS Dream didn’t stop.

At the wire, he was a 3½-length winner in a time of 1:54.4.

“I said I wasn’t going to watch, but I did watch,” Rash said. “I saw him coming down the stretch and… I started yelling a little bit, I think. I looked around and everyone else started joining me.

“We got on the golf cart to go out to the track and when I got there, Russell was smiling ear-to-ear. He knew how much I wanted to win this race with him and this horse. I told him, ‘Russell, I think I am going to cry.’ He said, ‘You do that. You deserve it.’”

And so, she did.

“Happy, happy tears,” Rash said. “He’s a complicated horse, but he races his heart out.”

Just the kind of horse tailor-made for his trainer.

The experience prompted Rash, who has been a real estate agent for 12 years, to sell her house and buy a farm.

“I’m pulling back from the real estate world to give as much attention as I can to the farm,” Rash said. “Here I am with my broodmare, one horse, and plenty of stalls. I have some neighbors in the business, so they brought a couple of their horses over. I also have some boarders who use the stalls, so it’s keeping me occupied until I can build my racing stock.”

Whatever number of pacers and trotters she welcomes into her stable, Rash won’t shy away from the hurdles that inevitably come with a bigger operation.

In fact, it is exactly what she is looking for.

“I am optimistic, but I know there are always challenges and setbacks,” she said. “Some days, I don’t know how I am going to get through it. My dad would always tell me, ‘If having a good life was easy, everyone would have one.’ It is always rewarding when you have to work harder to achieve what you want.”

Rash certainly would know that feeling.

It is what always keeps her coming back for more.

“Every time I am at the racetrack or in the barn, I have fun,” she said. “For me, a bad day at the track is better than a good day anywhere else.”