Originally from Carmel, Indiana, Jenn O’Neill completed degrees in both Business Management and Equine Studies at Midway College in 2002. Upon completion of her degrees, she decided to stay in Kentucky, making the Bluegrass her home.
O’Neill began her career managing a boarding facility strictly for college students, and later managed a sport horse operation of 55 horses, including a string of training horses and lesson clients. She has cared for horses at all levels, from companions to 4-star veterans. O’Neill also has an extensive veterinary background and has experience caring for both sport horse and racetrack layups.
Like most professional horsewomen, her love for horses started young. As O’Neill did not belong to a “horsey” family, she frequently found catch rides through high school and college, which gave her great experience on many different types of horses.
Throughout the early years of her career, O’Neill was fortunate to study under other trainers who specialized in their own discipline at the highest level. She adopted skills from each of these trainers and designed her own program and style for training horses and riders.
O’Neill has brought several horses up through the levels, including her best known partner, That’ll Do. He was an OTTB whom she brought from the racetrack to the advanced level. More recently, she changed gears and has been focused on sourcing, developing and selling many OTTBs. As O’Neill says, “There is nothing better than a Thoroughbred!”
Her knack for empathizing with rider’s fears and understanding how to help them overcome the mental aspect of riding has made her an excellent coach for anxious adult amateurs. These same skills have also enabled her to get the best out of nervous or “problem” horses.
