Kansas Carradine is a name that brings up a lot of questions. Is she related to the actor David Carradine? What does she actually do? And why does her name show up in so many different places, from horse shows to yoga retreats? This guide answers all of it in one place her family, her career, and what she is doing today.
Quick Facts About Kansas Carradine
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Kansas Carradine |
| Born | April 19, 1978 |
| Age | 48 years old |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California |
| Father | David Carradine (Actor) |
| Mother | Linda Gilbert |
| Spouse | Alain Gauthier (Married 2004) |
| Children | Two daughters, Phoenix and Kuwaleah |
| Known For | Trick riding, Cavalia, HeartMath coaching |
| Current Work | Equine Guided Educator, Brand Founder, and Public Speaker |
Who Is Kansas Carradine?
Kansas Carradine has spent more than three decades building a career around horses. She started as a young trick rider in rodeo arenas, later performed in Hollywood films and on world stages with the show Cavalia, and has now moved into a new chapter as a wellness coach and speaker.
She also happens to come from one of Hollywood’s most famous acting families. Her father was David Carradine, star of Kung Fu and Kill Bill. But Kansas never built her career on that name. Instead, she built her own path in a completely different world one centered on horses, not movies.
That mix is part of what makes her interesting to so many different audiences. Equestrian fans know her as a performer and trainer. Wellness fans know her as a HeartMath coach. And many people simply find her name while searching for the Carradine family. This guide brings every part of her story together.
Family Background Is She David Carradine’s Daughter?
Yes. Kansas Carradine is the daughter of actor David Carradine and Linda Gilbert. David Carradine was best known for the TV series Kung Fu and his role in Kill Bill, and he came from a family with deep roots in Hollywood acting.
Her grandfather was John Carradine, a respected actor from the golden age of film. Her uncles include actors Keith Carradine and Robert Carradine. Her cousins include actresses Martha Plimpton and Ever Carradine.
With a family history like this, many people assume Kansas followed the same path into acting. She did take on a few small acting roles early on, but her real passion was always horses, not film sets. She chose to build her own identity through horsemanship rather than ride on her family’s fame.
This is part of why her own website and most of her professional bios don’t even mention the Carradine name. She has spent her career being known for her own skills, not her father’s. Still, for anyone curious about the connection, it’s real, and it’s a big part of why so many people search for her name today.
Early Life How She Started Trick Riding
Kansas Carradine started working with horses at a very young age. By the time she was around 11 years old, she was already performing as a trick rider, roman rider, and lasso artist in front of live audiences.
She trained at a ranch program built around trick riding, where young riders learned the skills used in rodeo arenas and Western performance shows. This early training became the base for everything that came after.
She attended Exeter Union High School while building her riding skills outside the classroom. Instead of a traditional path into a single career, she grew up moving between rodeo grounds, training rings, and performance arenas, learning a wide range of riding styles most people never attempt.
This early, hands-on training is what later opened the door to her bigger opportunities including work on film sets, international equestrian shows, and eventually a long touring career with one of the biggest horse shows in the world.
Acting Career
Before fully committing to the equestrian world, Kansas Carradine took on a small number of acting roles. Her film credits include Open Fire (1989), Rapid Eye Movement (2006), and Homo Erectus (2007).
These roles were never the main focus of her career. Acting stayed a side note, while horses became the true center of her work and her life.
Equestrian and Stunt Career: Cavalia and Hollywood
Kansas Carradine’s real career has always been built around horses. Over the years, she has worked as a performer, stunt rider, horse trainer, and coach across some of the biggest stages in the equestrian world.
Her performance credits include the film Hidalgo, the TV series Heartland, the World Equestrian Games, Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, and the National Finals Rodeo. She has also appeared on networks like MTV, ESPN, and CBS, and performed at major international equestrian events including Equitana, Cheval Passion, and Equifest.
One of the biggest parts of her career was over a decade spent with Cavalia, a world-renowned touring equestrian show. During her time with Cavalia, she performed across five continents, while also working behind the scenes as a horse buyer and trainer. She spent several years rehabilitating horses that had been injured, helping many of them find new homes through adoption.
Her work in the equestrian industry has been recognized by major publications, including Sports Illustrated, Western Horseman, Cowboys & Indians Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. Throughout her career, she has been known for strong horsemanship values, with a consistent focus on horse welfare and ethical training methods, not just performance.
The HeartMath Journey: From Horses to Healing
In 2003, Kansas Carradine was introduced to Vedic wisdom and began a long personal practice of yoga and meditation. Over time, this practice shaped a new direction in her career.
She eventually became a HeartMath Certified Trainer. HeartMath is a science-based training method that teaches people how to manage stress and emotions by working with their own heart rhythms. Alongside this, she became an Equine Guided Educator, a role that uses time with horses to help people build self-awareness, confidence, and emotional balance.
In this part of her career, Kansas blends horsemanship with mindfulness. Her workshops are built around helping people regulate their emotions, build self-trust, and form deeper connections, both with horses and with themselves. She often describes this work as bridging science, spirituality, and horsemanship into one practice.
This shift didn’t replace her riding career it grew out of it. The same skills she used to build trust with horses in the arena became the foundation for teaching people how to build trust with themselves.
The 2024 Gaucho Derby: 400 Miles Across Patagonia
In 2024, Kansas Carradine took part in the Gaucho Derby, a demanding horseback endurance race that covers around 400 miles across the rugged landscape of Patagonia, Argentina.
Riders in the Gaucho Derby switch horses multiple times across the race, riding through remote terrain over several days while navigating checkpoints and unpredictable conditions. It is considered one of the toughest endurance riding events in the world, testing not just riding skill but mental endurance and the rider’s bond with each horse.
Kansas connected to this opportunity through her network in the horsemanship community, including contacts tied to well-known horseman Warwick Schiller. This connection highlights her deep integration into the global natural horsemanship community, sharing a philosophy centered on understanding horse behavior and psychology. Completing the race became one of the most physically and emotionally demanding experiences of her career, pushing her well beyond performance riding and into true wilderness endurance.
Personal Life: Husband and Daughters
Kansas Carradine has been married to Alain Gauthier since 2004. Together, the couple has built a life centered on horses, often creating equestrian performances and shows as a family.
They have two daughters, Phoenix and Kuwaleah Carradine-Gauthier, who have grown up surrounded by horses and now perform alongside their mother at public events and fundraisers.
The family lives in the Lake Tahoe area. Outside of her professional work, Kansas has a personal interest in dressage and has spent time training with Friesian horses, a breed known for its elegance and historical ties to medieval riding traditions.
Philanthropy and Helping Others
Beyond performing and coaching, Kansas Carradine is active in equine charity work. She has supported organizations including the Humane Society, the Equestrian Aid Foundation, Tahoe Trails & Vistas, and Riding for the Disabled.
She has also worked closely with Connected Horse, a nonprofit that uses equine-assisted programs to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. In September 2025, Kansas and her daughters performed at the Lassos with Love fundraiser for Connected Horse, held at Five Star Equestrian. The performance opened with a guided meditation, followed by a bridle-free ride and a lasso routine.
Her charitable work extends beyond the equestrian world too. She has volunteered with Embracing the World charities and served as a delegate for the Fyera Foundation during the G20/C20 India presidency. She has also led workshops for the Northern Cheyenne, Lakota, and Omaha Nations focused on healing and suicide prevention.
What Is Kansas Carradine Doing Now?
Today, Kansas Carradine works as a speaker, clinician, and Equine Guided Educator. She runs courses, clinics, and speaking engagements through her own platform, Circus Cowgirl a brand where she uniquely combines high-level entertainment with personal empowerment workshops.
She also appears regularly as a guest on podcasts and interviews, including The Journey On Summit and Integral Yoga TV, where she speaks about horsemanship, emotional wellbeing, and her ongoing work bridging horses and human connection.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Her Own
While Kansas Carradine carries a famous Hollywood last name, her true legacy is written in the arena dust and the lives she has touched through healing. From high-energy trick riding with Cavalia to deeply spiritual equine therapy and endurance races across Patagonia, she has proven that her path is entirely her own. She remains an active, inspiring, and highly visible figure bridging the gap between the equestrian world and personal wellness.
FAQs About Kansas Carradine
Is Kansas Carradine related to David Carradine?
Yes. Kansas Carradine is the daughter of actor David Carradine and Linda Gilbert.
How old is Kansas Carradine?
She was born on April 19, 1978, and is currently 48 years old.
Is Kansas Carradine married?
Yes, she has been married to Alain Gauthier since 2004.
Does Kansas Carradine have children?
Yes, she has two daughters, Phoenix and Kuwaleah Carradine-Gauthier.
What is Kansas Carradine known for?
She is known for her career as a trick rider and performer with Cavalia, and for her current work as a HeartMath Certified Trainer and Equine Guided Educator through her platform Circus Cowgirl.
What did Kansas Carradine do in the Gaucho Derby?
In 2024, she completed the Gaucho Derby, a roughly 400-mile horseback endurance race across Patagonia, Argentina.
Where does Kansas Carradine live?
She lives with her family in the Lake Tahoe area.
