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We spent an enjoyable day visiting with Kristen Bagdasarian at her family’s beautiful Diamond View Farm in Versailles, Kentucky a few months back.  The beautiful full-service facility has been home to some of the best Saddlebreds in the region, having previously served as the training center for Rigby’s Green, McConnell Stables and Belle Reve.Kristen plans to continue its legacy with the show string in training and through the farm’s breeding program.     Prior to joining the trainer/ instructor ranks, Kristen made a name for herself as a junior exhibitor and amateur rider in the late 1990's, having shown the World’s Champions King’s High Spirit (Jr. Exhibitor Five-Gaited) and CH Dixie Jewel (three-time Five-Gaited Pony Grand Champion), as well as CH The Homecoming Hero, the 1999 Ladies Five Gaited Reserve World’s Grand Champion.      Kristen’s interest in American Saddlebreds and the show world led to her working as an instructor in North Carolina before pairing up with Matt Shiflet and ultimately moving the training center from West Virginia to Kentucky. Matt now has his own stable in North Carolina, while Kristen remains in love with the 80 acre farm that is home to Diamond View Farm, her own training and breeding operation.       Kristen enjoys developing young horses as well as working her customers’ amateur mounts. In addition to training top-quality horses for her parents Ruby and Kathy Bagdasarian and her sister Stevie Bagdasarian, she is pleased to have a fun group of customers. Some of her loyal supporters that followed her to Kentucky are Beth Ann & Clint Rhoads from Huntington, WV whose daughters Emily and Elizabeth both have talented horses in Kristen’s care, and Beth Bushell and her daughter Sarah. Sarah rode Power of Attorney to the 2007 World’s Champion Road Pony Under Saddle from Division 2.      Two champions not pictured here who will join the stable’s entries are Manhattan’s Irish Cream, reigning Three-Gaited Pony World’s Grand Champion and Lady Hawke, Stevie Bagdasarian’s Reserve World Champion Amateur Roadster Under Saddle.       Kristen rightfully has a lot of pride in the operation she is developing at Diamond View, and has a strong vision for the future. She is assisted by Shane Mullins (who joined Diamond View after honing his training skills at Willowbank and Jimmy Robertson and starts the colts for the farm.) Kristen admits that she loves to go to horse shows, and she is readying her training string to do just that in 2008!

My Genius’ Night Vision is the striking three-year-old stallion owned by Kathy Bagdasarian and standing his first season at Diamond View Farm. He is by First Night In and out of My Genius’ Mirage by Desert’s Supreme Fortune. The Bagdasarians are selecting some of their 12 broodmares to breed to Night Vision during the 2008 season.

Diamond View Farm offers one of the finest environments for the American Saddlebred enthusiast.  Its inviting tree-lined lane leads past Kristen’s residence and a smaller house as well as paddocks surrounded by black plank fencing.  The outdoor riding ring has shredded rubber footing and features a viewing gazebo in the center.  The main show barn has two large wings of stalls as well as a heated indoor arena that features bull pens at each end that can be closed for long lining.  In addition, the farm has a stallion barn, a mare barn and other storage buildings.  Every aspect of the 80 acre farm is first-rate and ideally situated in the heart of blue grass.	DJ: DJ The "lesson horse supreme" enjoys attention when he is cross tied.	Chandler: Shane’s dog is a friendly addition to the barn family.
Charmed Delight: Kristen enjoys her training session with Charmed Delight, a five-gaited mare owned by Kathleen Bagdasarian.	Simbara’s Bountiful: Kristen made some stunning passes with the three-gaited beauty Simbara’s Bountiful by Periaptor. They will be marching into the 2008 season after winning the junior three gaited class at Alabama and placing reserve at ASHAV. Kristen is readying this gelding for Stevie Bagdasarian to show in the amateur division in the future.	Packin’ A Pistol: Kristen works the flashy five-gaited gelding Packin’ A Pistol who is owned by the Bagdasarians and was developed by Kristen. This team finished the year on a high note by sweeping the Ladies Five-Gaited division at the Alabama Charity after taking two reserves at ASHAV.
Worthy’s Independent Son: Elizabeth Rhoads and Worthy’s Independent Son exhibit the teamwork that will make them a force in the Show Pleasure division this year.	Lucky Curve: Emily Rhoads and Lucky Curve show the style that will serve them well in the competitive Country Pleasure division this year.	Angel Among Us: Kristen has the beautiful home-grown Angel Among Us (by Attache’s Royal Assets and out of the Bagdasarian owned CH I’m An Angel by I’m A New Yorker) looking through the bridle and geared up for the Junior Park division.
Having Fun: This scene illustrates Diamond View’s theme that riding and showing should be fun. Sarah Bushell is on Power of Attorney while Shane attends to equipment and Kristen looks on.	Power of Attorney: Sarah Bushell and "Rio" (Power of Attorney) exhibit the winning form that earned them a World’s Championship in the road pony under saddle division last year. Sarah's mom, Beth, is gearing up to show "Rio" in the pleasure pony driving division this year.	Miss Lucy Lou: The beautiful black and grey junior park mare Miss Lucy Lou is a Diamond View home bred entry getting ready to take on the junior park horse ranks. She is by Gypsy Santana and out of CH I’m An Angel.
	Diamond View Farm Saddlbreds and Hackneys Owner and Trainer Kristen Bagdasarian Assistant Trainer Shane Mullins 1181 Shannon Run Road Versailles, Kentucky 40383 Phone: 859-873-0407	Click here to e-mail Kristen Bagdasarian.
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