Ask anyone who operates even the most modest of breeding operations and they will tell you that there’s nothing that quite compares to the thrill you get riding and competing on a horse you raised yourself.

Kathryne Zachrich-Yemc, of  Delaware, Ohio, knows the feeling firsthand.

This year she is showing Only A Dream Machine in 3-Year-Old Non-Pro events and it’s felt like “a dream” to say the least.

The bay mare by The Lopin Machine is out of Only Version, a mare she won the Tom Powers Futurity aboard many years ago. Already this year in the Limited 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure competition they claimed a Championship at the Oil Can Classic; a Reserve Championship at the A Sudden Impulse Futurity in Ocala, Florida; and a Reserve in the Super Sires Class at he Tom Powers Futurity.

“This horse is special to me since she was born and raised at my farm and to see her have the level of success this year in the 3-year old events has been very rewarding,” Kathryne said. “I am very encouraged and looking forward to seeing what happens for the balance  of this year.”

Only A Dream Machine is trained by Brian and Dawn Baker, along with their assistant trainer, Gaven Young.  She showed a lot of potential early in her training. She was Reserve Champion in the 2-Year-Old Super Sires Open Western Pleasure at the 2020 Tom Powers Futurity with Brian Baker in the saddle and followed that up with a Circuit Championship in the 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure at the Florida Gold Coast last December.

Kathryne has loved horses for as long as she can remember.

“When my parents went to a county fair and I got to ride a pony,” she recalls. “I always wanted to get a horse, so my parents bought lessons for me when I was 7.  The owners of the lesson horse sold us that horse (Micha Leo Buck) and encouraged us to join them in a very strong 4-H program.”

Kathryne and her family competed in 4-H and open shows for a few years before getting into breed shows.

“Micha Leo Buck was my first show horse too.  He was a great little Quarter Horse that taught me a lot,” she said.

Over the next years Kathryne got the opportunity to own and show many great horses, including Quarter Horses, Repeat The Details, Only Version and The Chocolate Chiper; and Appaloosas, Continental Wind, Only Rita and Esquire HH.

“All of them claimed either a win at the Tom Powers Futurity or Rider Cup Show or top 10s at the Congress and at various World and National Championship shows.

Kathryne said she learned something new from every horse as well as from each of the trainers she has worked with over the years, including the Bakers, Young, Rusty Miller, Brent Tincher and Dale Hamilton.

“They all helped me become a better rider and encouraged me not to sweat the small stuff,” she said. “I am very appreciative to all of them for the time and effort they have put in.”

Kathryne attended Findlay University graduating with four degrees (BA in Communications, Marketing and Advertising and an associate degree in equestrian studies).  While attending college, she was involved in the equestrian team, German club and worked two jobs while attending school full time.

She met her husband, Michael Yemc, at a family wedding and they have been married 11 years now. Kathryne is office manager of  Yemc Law Offices in Columbus, Ohio and owns and operates Cutting Edge Supply Company, LLC, a construction supply business.

Michael and Kathryne belong to the Delaware (Ohio) Chamber of Commerce, St. John Lutheran Church, as well as the OQHA, AQHA, APHA and NSBA and they support their local animal shelters and community.

It’s a busy life but she would have it no other way.

“My motivation overlaps in most areas of my life,” Kathryne said. “I don’t ever do anything half way.  I really devote a lot of hard work to everything I do and put in the time to get results.  I live all areas of my life that way as a rule – I believe it has helped me to do my best at work, my personal life and at horse shows.  I also have had excellent teachers and role models that have set good examples for me over the years.”

When she is not working or at a horse show, Kathryne enjoys spending time with her family and her dogs, Wilhelm, Waylon and Willow.

“My husband and I work so much that sometimes it is nice to just sit at home and enjoy our farm,” she said.

The most influential people in her life are her parents.

“I have been very fortunate to have parents that instilled Christian values, responsibility, respect for others, and a good work ethic to help me become a better person,” she said. “They are my biggest supporters as well as my husband whose encouragement and involvement means so much to me.”

Amateur Profiles are part of InStride Edition’s editorial content. If you know someone who would make a good subject for an amateur profile email Corrine Borton, Editor, at: CorrineBorton@InStrideEdition.com.