Jenna Kyhl
I, Jenna Kyhl, am the owner of Kyhlwood Training. It has always been a dream of mine to have a barn where love for horses came before love for competition. This dream finally became a reality in 2011 when I quit my job and began training and teaching full time. Those that know me well know horses have been in my blood for my entire life but it all really started when I was only 3 years old.
‘She will grow out of it’
I began taking riding lessons when I was only 3 years old. I rode English until I was 5 and then began showing Morgan horses in saddleseat. I was lucky enough to show in the Morgan Grand Nationals and World Show when I was 6 years old on a horse named Cedars Firelight. I am sure my parents heard a million times that I would grow out of my horse obsession.
The first of many
The older I got the more serious my obsession became. Just before my 7th birthday, I used my own money to purchase my first pony. Probably far more pony than I actually needed but we didn't know any better. Jasper Dale was a 7-year-old Hackney pony who taught me everything a naughty pony should. Mostly how to have a fantastic seat!
Discipline Switch
When I moved to Iowa at the age of 10 there was no English to speak of in the area. I decided that to continue my horse education I needed to learn to ride western. My first horse was named Skips Kings Champ. I took lessons and learned to ride western with King. I continued to show Jasper English until I was too big to ride him.
Branching Out
When I was no longer able to show Jasper I decided to train King to do English so I could have a true all-around horse. At the time I had no real idea about training and it was a lot of experimenting. I am truly grateful for King and his saintly personality for putting up with years of trial and error when it came to figuring out what in the world I was doing.
Scootin Petals
Scootin' Petals or Pet as she is better known now, was the first horse that I ever purchased with the intention of training. She was my first real challenge of a horse that wanted to do things HER way and not mine. When you are 13 that can be quite frustrating but a wonderful learning adventure as well.
Scotch N Zip
Scottie taught me more than I ever could have imagined. He is one horse that I have spent my life regretting that I sold. If there ever comes a day for him to need place to live I will drive to the ends of the earth to bring him home. Scottie and I even got to compete in the cowgirl contest at the state fair.
Chip Proof
When I was a senior in high school I decided to sell Scottie and purchased a gelding named Chip Proof. I worked almost daily with my trainer at the time and moved to Charles City for the summer to really get some hands-on training experience.
College
During college, I got my first real look at eventing and my first real experience teaching. Between lessons, riding for the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, working as a jump judge, working as a camp counselor and riding instructor, and volunteering I definitely had many more experiences to add to my resume.
Choosing Happiness
After graduating I taught a few lessons on the side while working at the hospital. It grew to the point where I hated going to work and looked forward to the few lessons a week I could squeeze into my schedule. In 2011 I quit the hospital and began teaching riding lessons full-time. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made and now I look forward to every day and every lesson.