Meet Chelan Kozak, Olympian, Professional Eventer, Trainer, and Coach
When you first meet Chelan Kozak, owner of HIT AIR Equestrian Canada, several things may be noticed immediately—from her striking appearance and no-nonsense approach to the Olympic rings tattooed on her right bicep.
However, her passion for rider safety will leave the strongest impression.
Like most equestrians, Chelan is no stranger to falling off her horse. She’s had a few tumbles that have left their mark, which motivated her to become Canada’s representative of the HIT AIR Equestrian line in 2011.
Chelan first became a HIT AIR customer the previous year. While qualifying in Eventing in Florida for the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), she knew she wanted some added protection while riding cross-country.
“I did my research and looked at all the brands on the market, and HIT AIR was the best choice,” Chelan says while listing off several benefits. “The fact that it deploys outward makes it more comfortable when it does deploy, and it offers superior neck protection. It sits comfortably, making it less hot in the summer, yet the snap design gives it a streamlined fit.
“As someone who has experienced falling off firsthand with and without wearing the air vest, I know the difference the vest makes. The patent-protected neck and tailbone protection is unrivalled on the market.”
Chelan is an accomplished Eventing rider, coach, and horse trainer who lives in British Columbia, Canada. She was first shortlisted for the Canadian Equestrian team at age 23 in 1992 and represented Canada at the Olympics in 1996 and the World Equestrian Games in 1994.
Since then, she has ridden numerous horses at the CCI3* (now CCI4*-L) level and two horses at CCI4* (now CCI5*). Chelan and her horse Tasman Sea qualified for the 2010 WEGs for Canada by galloping around clear XC at Rolex Kentucky CCI4* (now CCI5*).
In 1996, Chelan passed her level III Canadian Eventing coaching exam (EC High Performance). In 2015, she achieved the USEA ECP Level V coaching designation in the US. Chelan has coached at the CCI4*-L Level and the BC Young Riders team.
Chelan is working towards her USEA course design ‘r’ certification and hopes to complete it in late 2024.
These personal experiences drive Chelan’s business philosophy, who became the Canadian distributor for the award-winning inflatable equestrian vest so she could bring the line to her students and fellow competitors in Canada.
Putting rider safety first, she offers a complimentary safety check on second-hand vest purchases. She also provides time to help new vest owners learn how to replace the canisters. She’s passionate about fit and offers personal fittings to local customers in addition to exchanges if online customers have concerns about the vest size after purchase (but before wearing).
If you have questions, please send her an email. She loves to share her HIT AIR knowledge.