When announced my annual road trip to Kentucky for 2020, Jaclyn reached out to me to come photograph her and her ponies. Getting to photograph fellow photographers is always such a fun experience, and I always feel so honored when other photographers choose me to photograph them especially when it comes to portraits with their horses. Jaclyn’s portrait session with her horses in Kentucky was so much fun, we included all three of her horses, her boyfriend, who is now her fiancé, their dogs, and even their cows! The cows were a little unexpected, but when they started to photobomb our portraits towards the end of the session, I just knew we had to include them in a few.

Dakota, Kota, is a TWH x Mustang Gelding. One of Jaclyn’s favorite memories of Kota is that he was born on her parent’s farm, June 24th, 2005. Jaclyn then started him as a young colt and has continued to develop him into a multi-purpose, horse. They have gone on into competing in hunters/jumpers, WP, Eventing, and Dressage. Kota has plenty of experience teaching lessons, taking her XC, and has schooled 2nd level dressage. Needless to say, Kota is a well-rounded horse!

Jaclyn describes Kota as “The absolute best horse that ever existed. He’s. Implement adjustable- from super beginner to advanced rider, he’s what you need when you need it. My favorite thing about him is how perfect he is. you hear that a lot I’m sure- but really, he’s pretty perfect. He’s been my shoulder to cry on, my confidence builder after several accidents, and just being an honest kind-loving horse. He always gets you safely over a jump, works harder than the next horse, and is super cuddly (especially with treats).”

Jaclyn’s second horse is named Fergus, Fergi. He is an 8-year-old APHA gelding. Together the pair practice Western Pleasure and Reining. Jaclyn has owned Fergi since he was 4 months old. Last summer she was able to bring him home from a not-so-great training experience and they are both ecstatic that he is home.

Jaclyn also owns Sebastian, Sebi. He is a 9-year-old CHS, dressage/hunter prospect. “He’s big and goofy.” -says Jaclyn. She has worked long and hard trying to get Sebi level-headed and getting the buck, rearing, and bolting reactions out of him. After all her hard work she is proud to say that he is now going very nicely and much more level-headed.