Hello and welcome to The Barn and Bit! Let me introduce myself. I’m Kayla. I’ve been riding horses for over 30 years! Gosh, I can’t even believe that’s true! I live in Arizona with my husband Jake, daughter Emma, and son Levi. I work full-time at a local university and travel often for work. I’m a lover of all types of animals and, currently, we have a dog, two horses, and 19 chickens.
I’ve been riding horses since I was 6 years old and I even earned a college scholarship when I was a member of an NCAA Division 1 team. I was able to travel the country and compete at ISHA horse shows. I went to the National Finals twice in three classes, winning them all!
I originally started riding western and after a few years, switched over to english.
From there, I’ve tried most events in one form or another. I’ve done barrel racing, roping, team-penning, reining, halter and showmanship, western horsemanship, hunter hack, hunter under saddle, ranch riding, working cow horse, and working hunter.
However, my forte is equitation on the flat and over fences. I even place 2nd out of over 400 entries in Stateline Tack‘s online horse show in the Equitation Over Fences class.
I took lessons every weekend for two years before my parents bought me my first horse for my 8th birthday. His name was Tigger and he was from the “horse and pony orphanage.” He was in his 30’s when we got him and was about 200-300 pounds UNDERWEIGHT.
Tigger was amazing. He was super hardheaded and stubborn and food aggressive, but he was also bombproof and he taught me so much. I showed him in english and western, did team penning on him, took him to ropings and rode around, and rode for hundreds of miles out on the trails. He lived into his 40’s before he finally had a stroke and had to be put down.
Meet the Horses
I currently own two horses. Hollywood Mogul or “Sonny” is a palomino AQHA reining gelding by Hollywood Dun It. He is a spitfire on the ground, but man he turns it on under saddle! My mom fell off him once and broke one of her lumbar vertebrae once. Yep. But he’s awesome, and he knows it.
Tibantos or “Tibby” is a Dutch Warmblood gelding who was imported from Europe when he was younger. He travelled the country showing in equitation and jumpers classes. He’s all over YouTube, however those are not my videos. Tibby is a superstar and excels at anything I ask him to do. Jump a hunter course? Ok. Pack around the kids double? No problem. Go to a horse show when I haven’t ridden in 3 months? Sure! He’s a dream to be around and to ride.
I’m a very lucky lady.
Why Should You Follow The Barn and Bit?
- I want to share my knowledge of horses and help others in their journey.
- I have the skillset to help you break free from your plateau.
- I’m able to help YOU stand out from the crowd in a busy show ring.
- I have a ton of practical advice, tips, and tricks to help you and your horse.
Do you have anything you’d like to know about horses? Nutrition? Exercise? Skills? Equipment? Let me know what you’d like to learn!
Check out my other blog, The Very Busy Mama to uncomplicated your busy mom life.