About Kenda
Kenda as a babyMy first horse was given to me at 6 months of age. Her name was Pixie and she was a dream, she was a little bay pony and her birthday was the same year as mine. We rode everywhere we could at any given speed. It was hard for me to get on her so I was creative and used my sandbox to climb upon her. She was very patient and she taught me a lot, unbeknownst to me at the time. She was my confidence builder for sure.
Kenda on PixieOver the course of the next few years I rode many horses of all different breeds; to include Tennessee Walkers, Paints, Appaloosa's, Missouri Fox Trotters, Quarter Horses, Arabians, Thoroughbreds and POA's just to name a few.
I got my first "job" at age 10 working with someone else's horse, getting that horse where it needed to be for their kids. He was a handful, but after years of working with Pixie as well as many others I was "ready for the task".
Every weekend we were either trail riding or showing, depending on the time of year. My mom and I brought home many 1st and 2nd place trophies and ribbons, platters, and belt buckles. We competed against one another in a few classes, now that was a challenge. My mom is an exceptional horse woman!
When I was 15 I bought my first horse with "my money", his name was Bill Bars and he was fantastic. He was a gentle giant and was built for speed. We ran barrels, poles, flags, and whatever speed event we could get into. We also did "egg and spoon" and other non-speed events as to keep his mind good. We were 2nd in State in Missouri High School rodeo. He was a Three Bars descendant and lived up to his name. When I could, in between shows, we were out on the trail, either alone or in a group. When we were alone he was my best friend, a great listener. He heard every problem and every success. He heard the songs I sang (and never complained) and the tears that I cried. What I learned from him...he gave me his ALL in everything - whether it was at a show or flying through the plowed fields at home at lightning speed. He ran so fast he made my eyes water. Some of our trail rides were night rides. We would get out of bed at 3AM, get the horses to the trail head and ride to the open pasture where breakfast was waiting on us. Yes, a 5 course breakfast at that!! And Yes, I ALWAYS challenged the trail boss to a race and YES I always won. Maybe it was the 'softie' trail boss. I don't know, but what I do know is my horse always did his best for me. We were a team and that's the way I think it should be still today!
Kenda on Bill BarsI do love horses, horses of all breeds. I have had the great opportunity to work with Quarter Horses, Appaloosas, Arabians, Paso Fino's, Icelandics, Dutch Warmbloods, Missouri Foxtrotters, Andalusians, Trakheners, Morgans, Morabs, and Miniatures. I'm sure there are others, but those are the ones who stand out for me.
My mentors and people I have studied under include, but are not limited to: Ray Hunt, Dixie Courtney Shemwell, Pat Parelli, Christi Rains and Mike Bridges. I have been privileged to conduct demonstrations in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
Kenda & Ray HuntThe horsemanship program I teach starts with the beginner horseman through to the advanced horseman. This program includes basic and advanced groundwork as well as riding beginning and advanced. I include techniques on how to get your horse more supple and teach you about framework.
I will also teach you about proper saddle fit through the many trees I have to offer and why it is important to pick the saddle that fits your horse. The Horsemanship & Trail saddles are some of the best on the market today. I am very proud to mention we are one of the few who take the time to fit each horse as well as each rider.
Copyright© 2010 Kenda Firkins - All rights reserved