Home

Steamboat Springs — Jason Kvols isn't sure if there is a gold medal or world championship for engineering, but if there is, he'll probably win it.

The 2008 Steamboat Springs High School graduate, who plans to study mechanical engineering at Colorado State University in the fall, has reached every goal he's set.

The last two came in recent weeks, when Kvols added two more World Championships and a couple of Olympic gold medals. Kvols, who won his first World Championship in 2004, brought two more home from the World Championship Paint Horse show in Fort Worth, Texas.

Kvols won in the youth class on his horse, Sunny Spotacular, and was a Reserve World Champion on another horse.

He also won a World Championship in the senior open division. He was the youngest of 18 riders - all of whom were professionals.

Then he won two gold medals at the United States Equestrian Federation and National Reining Horse Association Derby in Oklahoma City, the latter of which qualified him for an international contest at the end of the month in Parker.

"Standing on the podium with those medals around my neck is a feeling I'll never forget," Kvols said. "It was a dream come true."

Reining is a test for the horse and the rider. A horse and rider follow a pattern, riding in large, fast circles and small, slow circles, but a horse and rider also must spin and come to sliding stops, where a horse slides on its back two legs, kicking up dirt.

Kvols had been working for months to prepare for the competition. He'd been traveling to Parker every other week for three to four days of training with his horse. He said he went into the competitions not expecting to do well.

But he said he trusted his faith and went out to do his best, and each time, he came away with a win.

"I'm still speechless about this whole thing," Kvols said.

Now Kvols will prepare for the international event, from July 30 to Aug. 3 in Parker, where he'll represent the western United States as part of a three-person national team.

He also leaves for CSU in late August. He said he hopes to continue to work with horses while he's in college and possibly make a career of it someday.

Until then, he's just happy he's accomplished all of his goals.

"I did clean up, but I feel really blessed," Kvols said. "I guess being 18, that's a pretty good record to have on you."

- To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229 or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com