Can a Kiger Mustang stallion make TEAM USA? Robin Bond shares Zapata's incredible story

At the WAWE Qualifier at the Oregon Horse Center in March, I had the opportunity to catch up with Robin Bond, the newly elected National President of USA Working Equitation, to hear the remarkable story of her Kiger Mustang stallion “Kiger Zapata KCA.”—from his beginnings off the range to competing at the top levels of Working Equitation. One of the professionals along his journey was Susan Atkinson, an experienced horsewoman with Kiger Mustangs and gentling. Jeremy Dunn then started him in the California tradition with the hackamore. Robin shares how it has been a long, slow process of training Zapata to the top of the sport. During a period when Robin had back surgery, other Masters riders such as Kimberlee Barker and Mary Young took the reins and continued his education. Robin is now back to riding him and has some big dreams for 2026! Robin shares her exciting goal of representing the very first US Working Equitation team in WAWE World Championships to be held in Jerez, Spain! At the time of posting this interview, the team is currently being decided- so stay tuned for more interviews with riders that are in contention for making the team! 🐎 Subscribe for more Working Equitation coverage, training insights, and rider stories from around the country. Minute Markers / Chapters 00:00 - 00:39 Intro 00:39 - 01:41 Mustang Zapata 01:41 - 02:48 Early Training Zapata 02:48 - 03:42 Training in Working Equitation 03:42 - 04:10 WAWE Qualifier 04:10 - 04:44 Always wild 04:44 - 05:20 Music 05:20 - 06:05 Dreams of Spain 06:05 - 06:50 President of USA WE 06:50 - 08:16 Having fun with your horse