Jennifer Schmitt - Assistant Trainer

Assistant Trainer, Jennifer Schmitt, has been a part of Strand's Arabian Stables since 2002. A native of Oran, Iowa, the Kirkwood Community College graduate in Horse Science Technology, grew up trail riding Quarter Horses. "My grandparents raised Arabians, so I was a little familiar with the breed, but my aunt had a couple of Quarter Horses that she let me ride. I remember, as a kid, being so excited to hear that we were going to my aunt's house because that meant there was a chance I was going to get to ride. From there, her determination to become a trainer unwavered.

Schmitt worked for a Quarter Horse trainer part time during college and then got an internship with Strand's as a groom. After her internship was complete, she stayed on as a groom and helped break out the youngsters in the winter, then moved up to assistant trainer. At her first regional show in 2005, she rode Moondoggie to a Reserve Championship in H/A Western Pleasure Open. That was followed up by a Canadian National Championship in the H/A Western Side Saddle division on Wind Saber. Her final show of 2005, Schmitt's first U.S. Nationals, would also be memorable - she took home Top Ten in Hunter Pleasure Futurity as well as Top Ten in Side Saddle.

Since her debut in the showring in 2005, she has been consistent in being in the ribbons at both the Regional and National levels. Combined with hard work, natural talent, and the dedication to learning, Jen has won numerous Championships, Reserve Championships, and Top Tens in Western Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure, and Side Saddle.

To showcase her winning consistency, Jennifer was nominated for the 2008 Arabian Professional & Amateur Horseman's Association (APAHA) Rising Star Award, which honors some of the brightest upcoming talent from across the country and Canada.

Shown in Photo: Sunsational Kid - 2008 US National Top Ten Western Pleasure Junior Horse.