Bringing Joy and Passion to a Distinctive Equestrian Career
by Kim Roe
If you take your horse to a show, breed evaluation or other significant event, it’s essential to get a high-quality video. You need someone with the right equipment, talent, and knowledge of the production end of things. Tory Kelly owns Equine Video Productions and is known for her cheerful attitude and prowess with a camera. She doesn’t just record—she produces art.
I asked Tory a few questions about her life as a professional equestrian videographer.
What was the catalyst that brought you into your current profession?
Mostly it was the desire to be able to stay home with my little girl, but I needed to support my “horse habit” as well. I grew up loving horses and dreaming of the day when I would have one of my own. That dream came true at the age of 26 and I have owned horses ever since. With that dream also came the reality of providing for them. This profession fit the bill perfectly. Over the past 29 years I have filmed countless horses competing in cutting to dressage and everything in between. I currently support 2 horses with my husband on our 5 acres in Canby, Oregon.
What do you love most about what you do?
My first response was going to be the horses, because of how incredible they are. But I realize it’s a toss-up between the horses and the people I’ve met along the way. I’ve developed deep and lasting relationships with owners and riders. Most of my friends are people I’ve met through videotaping over the last 30 years.
What’s the worst part of your job?
Taping at clinics when the weather is freezing cold. I love doing it because I learn so much and it provides a valuable service, but it can get pretty cold and uncomfortable in the winter.
Tory added, “I have an emotional attachment to a lot of the videos I do. Not because I think they are so wonderful, but because the shoots are always pretty fun, and the people are so nice. Technically, I think the trailer I did for the documentary Corrals to Competition is pretty good. Plus, it brings back a lot of joy. We had so much fun making it!” Tory wrote, directed, and filmed the documentary, which follows Oregon horse trainer/clinician Stacey Riggs on her journey of adopting two wild mustangs and preparing them for competition.
Watch the Corrals to Competition trailer at www.vimeo.com/192813701
Learn more about Tory Kelly and her work at www.equinevideoproductions.net
Originally Published April 2017 Issue
Kim Roe grew up riding on the family ranch and competed in Western rail classes, trail horse, reining, working cow, and hunter/jumper. She trained her first horse for money at 12 years old, starting a pony for a neighbor.
Kim has been a professional dressage instructor in Washington state for over 30 years, training hundreds of horses and students through the levels. In recent years Kim has become involved in Working Equitation and is a small ‘r’ Working Equitation judge with WE United.
Kim is the editor of the Northwest Horse Source Magazine, and also a writer, photographer, and poet. She owns and manages Blue Gate Farm in Deming, Washington where she continues to be passionate about helping horses and riders in many disciplines.
