Wellington, FL (April 21, 2014) – Two USDF Gold and Silver Medalists are about to team up to make Diamante Farms of Wellington, Florida, an even more talent-filled place. Diamante’s head trainer Devon Kane welcomes a promising young working student— Mckenzie Jenkins— to the team at the Kane’s family farm. Dressage rider Jenkins is ecstatic about the opportunity, saying “My main goal in working at Diamanté Farms is simply to learn as much as I can. I am so excited about joining this wonderful team and cannot wait for our future together.”
McKenzie Jenkins, originally from Nashville, Tennessee, began her riding career at the age of six by showing in Western Pleasure classes. She loved horseback riding immediately, but searched for the riding style that she felt best suited her. After trying jumping and still not finding the perfect match, Jenkins saw Tami Crawford riding in a dressage show. “It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I knew for sure dressage was what I wanted to do.” Jenkins stated. She began to train with Crawford and found her permanent place in the equestrian world.
The twenty-one year old has already built an impressive list of accomplishments in her short riding career. “While working with Tami Crawford, my parents bought me my first dressage horse, an Anglo Arabian mare named Tsarina. I competed with her at the 2008 NAJC where we won a Bronze Medal in the individual competition and a Silver Medal in the freestyle. The next year we went to NAYRC and won a Team Bronze Medal as well as qualified for Gladstone. Since then I have received my USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals. Now I am working with my 7 year old gelding, Heerser.” Jenkins’s dedication to the sport is obvious as she talks about her experiences.
Jenkins is thrilled to be able to continue her dressage training under Devon Kane while working and learning at Diamante Farms. “I look forward to learning about barn management and how to take care of top FEI horses at the very highest level of competition. I will have the opportunity to watch Devon train her horses every day and watch her lessons with top trainers Debbie McDonald, Robert Dover, Kevin Kohmann, and Hubertus Schmidt. My goal is to watch as much as I can and soak everything in.”
Jenkins will also be spending plenty of time in the saddle. She will travel with Devon Kane to Europe for the summer, where Kane trains with Olympic Gold Medalist Hubertus Schmidt. While there, Jenkins will ride the Kanes’ horse Don Angelo. She will train on her own gelding Heerser when they return to Florida. “I have a goal for my horse, Heerser, to compete in developing Prix St. George possibly next show season. I know being in full training with Devon will be absolutely vital in reaching this goal.”
Devon Kane and the rest of Diamante Farms are excited for Jenkins to join their program. The beautiful 10-acre Diamante Farms is owned by Devon and her mother Terri Kane, and is known for providing high-quality dressage training, showing, and boarding services.
For more information about Diamante Farms, visit DiamanteFarms.com or call 210-240-1614.
