Even though Arne Kühn has only been showing seriously at American Quarter Horse Association events in Europe for four years now he has already learned what takes many others years to figure out – confidence is key.

“You hear that so often, but for me it is so true,” says the Berlin, Germany native. “Horse training and showing is a tough world and it is easy to lose your self-confidence.”

Kühn says sometimes a person finds himself pushed down for a plethora of reasons.

“You need to find your own way to always keep on going and believe in what you are doing,” he explains.

Growing up just south west of Berlin, Kühn was fortunate in that his older sister was involved with horses and paved the way for him to get involved as well. While still in school Kühn helped out at a very successful dressage barn where he was able to ride talented horses trained to the grand prix level. After school he went on to work as an assistant for a dressage trainer, located close to Berlin who competed on the international level.

In 2009 he made the transition to AQHA when Professional Horseman Torsten Haier, organized an internship for him with Helga Hommel, of Hamburg, Germany.

“I stayed with her for about three months and shortly after my time there was over I got the opportunity to work for multiple European Champion and AQHA judge Sylvia Jäckle in Marl, Germany for a year,” Kühn recalls. “It was my friend Dasi(Jadasa Jablonowski),well known for her graphics work all over the U.S. and Europe, who contacted Michael Colvin to ask if I could join his team in 2010.”

It was with Colvin that Kühn got his first experience with the Quarter Horse Congress and AQHA World Show.

“He taught me so much,especially about the Trail andWestern Riding classes and had a big influence on my idea of the horse trainer I wanted to become,” he says.

Afterward, Kühn went back to Berlin to start working for Berlin Brandenburg Quarter Horses, a private breeding and training business. Together with business partner, Mirko Mueller, Kühn started his own business in January of 2013 and since the beginning of this year he has been running it on his own as Arne Kühn ShowHorses.

His current facility is located at the Riding Centre of Phoeben. It is a huge facility with 140 stalls, a 30-by-90 meter indoor arena, two outside dressage arenas and a jumping course. In addition there are turnouts, pastures, a hot walker and even a rehabilitation center.

“I was at a point where I really wanted to find out who I was as a trainer,” Kühn says.“I felt kind of stuck and it was time to grow, to make new experiences.”

Kühn says his favorite part of the job is the challenge that comes with every horse, every rider and every single ride. He specializes in the modern all-around horse, but says his strongest event is Western Pleasure. He particularly enjoys getting young prospects ready for the show pen and then adding multiple events to their skill set.

In the past few years Kühn has had the opportunity to show some of Europe’s most decorated horses including MJ Dressed For Jazz,multiple International German Champion, High Point horse and futurity champion in Western Pleasure and Hunter UnderSaddle; Krymsun Rider, NSBA European Champion WesternPleasure; Krymsuns Affair, multiple High Point horse, multiple European, International German and futurity champion in Western Riding, Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle; Raisin My Dress, multiple High Point horse, multiple NSBA European Champion in Western Pleasure, International German Champion in Junior and Green Western Pleasure, Junior and Green Trail and Performance Halter Mares and most recently VS Secret Code, unanimous NSBA Futurity Champion in Open Western Pleasure.

For Kühn it’s not just about his accomplishments, he also really enjoys seeing his customers succeed with their horses.

“I enjoy working with non-pro riders,” he says. “It is so much fun to see how they and their horses progress. Coaching them at a horse show and seeing them win is just the icing of the cake.”

When Kühn is not busy in the barn or at a horse show he loves to travel. Whenever his schedule permits he tries to visit a place he’s never been before. He has also always been really interested in singing and acting, and was involved with the school choir when he was younger and the musical and theatre groups as he got older.

For more information about Arne Kühn Show Horses you can visit his Facebook page or email him directly at Arne.K.Kuehn@gmail.com.