TAILS YOU WIN

10 Reader's Choice 2022 SHOW HORSE TODAY

by Robyn Duplisea

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Building a brand name is no easy task. Creating a product worthy of a stellar reputation also takes time and dedication. Kathy Williams Tail’s built both a reputation for excellence and a “horsehold” brand name that has been carried on by new owner Kelley (Mundrick) Martin.

Taking the huge leap to change a

well recognized businesses name was not one taken lightly by Kelley and her husband Kyle. “This was a huge decision for the business (changing the name) that my husband (Kyle) and I did not take lightly. Obviously Kathy had built a brand and we wanted to make sure that we carried on the integrity of what she built but also wanted to put a spin of our own on the business.

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One of my mentors whom I obtained while building my Corporate Marketing career but more importantly a close friend (Beckie Peskin) made the comment while we were deciding the name change suggested, “You should play off of the slogan, From Head to Toe” and that’s what led to Head to Tail. We wanted to incorporate the designer clothing into the business name as well as the tail extensions.”

Head to Tail Boutique was born and has continued to take the horse show world by storm by offering the very best quality tail extensions while representing top quality horse show fashions and more to create a true head to tail shopping experience.

Beyond the tails, Kelley represents a variety of brands and many can be found in her boutique at shows. “I offer a wide range of clothing options across different designer options including

the following but not limited to:

Boo Yah Custom Show Clothing, Holly Taylor Designs, Housewear Show Clothing,Unbridled Couture, Lindsey James Show Clothing, Signature Styles by Ashley, Juls Collection, Jolene’s Designs, Showtime Show Clothing, Kevin Garcia Originals, Kimes, Oversized Show Pads, Black Clover Live Lucky Hats.

Though the name has changed, the quality tail extension that you have come to love and continued to vote your Reader’s Choice Best Tail

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Extension has not. “I was trained by both Kathy and KC on the making of the one of a kind tails. Additionally, Kathy stayed on for another year after the close of the purchase just to ensure a smooth transition of the business all while maintaining customers, designers, and vendor relationships” explained Kelley on how she was able to continue the quality of the brand.

“We cannot thank the readers enough for voting us the winner in 2021 and 2022! 2021 was our first year of owning

the business and it meant so much to be voted Gold! To win again in 2022 is such an honor.”

Kelley offers some thoughts on what makes these tails so well loved industry wide. “I can’t go into specific details on why we feel they are superior in the way they are made (trade secrets) but they are made differently than others which is time consuming to say the least. Our tail extensions are also very versatile in that they can be adjusted with or without weights and hair easily added to or taken away depending on what the horse might need. We stand behind our product and put our customers first if there should ever be a problem.”

Choosing the perfect tail extension is an art and it is something that Kelley has become very adept at. Kelley

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Kelley with Kevin Garcia and Homeboy - All three are 2022 Reader's Choice Gold Award Winners

shared some advice on how to best choose and match your extension. “In person is always best but we know that that isn’t always possible. So tail samples can be mailed to me, videos sent and multiple pictures in the sun are always helpful. Sometimes I send multiple options so there are options to choose from.”

Kelley continued “if you have other tails of ours that have initials on them that we wrote, and that tail matches the horse that you’re trying to match, that can help guide us in the right direction too! The initials on our tails indicate to us what color scheme is close to the tail in question.”

Kelley offers a unique perspective as a business owner and she is not only selling tails, but showing alongside her competitors. “I was a customer of Kathy’s before we acquired the business and knew her for 10+ years,

and have been showing for over probably 20 years. I know how hard people work to achieve their dreams and how the horse world has its ups and downs. It can be tough! It can be so fulfilling too. If I can help from a vendor standpoint, I will do everything I can to help someone with their passion. When I see someone get the perfect tail match or can help them find a show shirt where their face lights up and it gives them confidence to step in that arena, it makes it all worthwhile for sure.”

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Kelley continues to show while running her business and has a stunning line up of home bred all around horses. While showing and running the boutique has created some challenges, Kelley has found her way to navigate it.

“When we were buying the business, I had a discussion with my trainers (Lori and Andrew Augsburger of Pinetree QH whom I’ve ridden with for 12 years) to make sure that they would be ok with

me not being as hands on with the horses at the shows and of course they were fine with it. I couldn’t do what I do without my team which includes my Pinetree crew, parents, in-laws, husband and many others.”

“This year I have two, maybe three horses to show that are all home raised, my main horse is Hot Mess N A Dress who shows in Amateur HUS & EQ and we are adding other events to her repertoire like western riding with Lori as unfortunately my western horse, ShakeYourMoonieMaker, got hurt and needed surgery.”

Kelley also has Best Mess N A Dress showing in some HUS 3 YO and Green futurities with Lori and herself as well as maybe some trail. She is currently offered for sale, but they will show her until she sells.

“I also have a two year old filly by Makin Me Willy Wild, 'Makin Stellar Times' out of my great all around Res. Congress Champ mare. We will hold off on her until she

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is three to most likely start showing in the trail first, but I think she will make a phenomenal all around horse” shared Kelley.

Head to Tail boutique has a very bright future set up from a very solid past both with the products and people. Kelley may be newer to the business but she has a clear vision for the future of her business. “I would love to continue growing the business by ensuring the same quality products, and leveraging my industry experiences as both a marketing professional and competitor.”

“The horse world is such a large place but also such a small world. People are always battling something whether you know it or not so try to make the extra effort to give a compliment or say hi when you pass someone. Welcome new people to the industry and congratulate others when they do good, it doesn’t take that much out of your day to do so but can go such a long way.”

for Best Tail Extension.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported our small business, it was such a big leap of faith that we took but we’re so glad that we did. Best of luck the remainder of 2022”

Head to Tail Boutique can be found online at: WWW.KATHYTAILS.COM and will be at The Gold Coast with some other shows possibly added for the remainder of 2022. Keep an eye on their website and SOCIAL MEDIA for any upcoming shows and feel free do sit back and do some online shopping at any time!

Clearly our readers wanted to welcome Kelley as a business owner, as Head to Tail Boutique was voted Silver for Best New Business in the 2022 Reader’s Choice in addition to their Gold

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