Our Team

Coach Jenn Rodehutskors

Jenn and her husband Paul relocated to Alberta in 2022 after raising a family and running a successful boarding, breeding and training facility in Ontario. Jenn successfully bred, raised and trained her own horses up to Intermediare-I. She now enjoys lavishing one very endearing homebred mare, Milli, with love and attention. Jenn strives to teach the rider how to educate and work their horse in the most fair and balanced way, both physically and mentally. She incorporates lots of cross training to build strength and for mental wellbeing of both horse and rider. Jenn works hard to understand the best way to educate the horse on its own time. Jenn is a diligent advocate for the wellbeing of the horse always, ensuring that their physical, mental and emotional needs are met each and every day.

I began working with Jenn in the spring of 2023. She had never coached a paraequestrian before but was keen to learn more. We traveled together to Kamloops, BC for a Para Coaching clinic where we learned a lot about classification, competition and horse selection from EC Technical Advisor, Clive Milkins. We returned home, leased a new horse a week later (Labamba SE) and set to work training. Within a month we attended our first EC Gold rated show and by the end of the show season a few months later we had acquired enough qualifying shows to be listed on the EC National Paradressage Team Talent ID Squad. Next up – to tackle FEI CPEDI 2* at Ottawa Dressage Festival in May 2024. This will be our first international level competition.

Jenn has an uncanny ability to meet me right where I am on any given day. My condition and abilities vary widely day to day and there is no way to anticipate or predict what each day will look like. Somedays I show up at the barn able to catch, tack up, warm up, school and put my own horse away. Other days I am pretty much non-functional. She will prepare my horse for me, warm him up and let me get on so I can keep my progress moving, even if its just at a walk. Somedays I am too broken and she will school my horse while talking to me about the aids she is using and the things she is thinking as she prepares for each movement. I value our open communication. She treats me like a capable athlete and respects my decisions. It is a wonderful partnership and I appreciate her every single day. She takes care of cross-training the horse on my days off and will answer any question no matter how small at any hour day or night. At shows Jenn takes care of so many tasks to ensure I save my energy for the ring. She advocates for me with ring stewards, is quick to sprint the correct test to the scribe (this has happened multiple times!) and is a wonderful cheer leader. She is an epic micromanager, supreme organizer and I jokingly say the only thing more aggressive than her sweeping is her hugs. This past year has been one of exponential growth as an athlete and an equestrian. So much of this is due to Jenn’s instruction, support, friendship and good humour.

My Ponies

I am supremely blessed to have two handsome gents in my life.

My primary para mount is 2010 RSPI Stallion, Labamba SE, bred and owned by Amanda Enmark of Standards Equine. His willing temperament and rideability are unmatched. We began leasing him in April 2023 and showing in May 2023. It is amazing to consider that he stepped right up to his new job without hesitation and qualified for the EC National Paradressage Team Talent ID Squad in his first season. I am grateful every day for the chance to dance with “King Richard”.

My secondary mount is my own 2010 KWPN gelding, First Knight. “Frank” has been a steadfast friend throughout the past 6 years and I have learned so much from him. My first ever season of showing was 2022 in Training Level with Frank. It is wild to imagine the learning curve that has occurred since then. He is a gentle giant, a friend to all, safe and as sweet as they come.

My Family

My #1 Fans and constant supporters! My husband, my parents and my 4 boys are the ultimate enablers. Aside from carrying the financial burden of this endeavour, they are also incredibly accommodating and supportive. They are so understanding about the long hours at the barn, the weekends away at horse shows, the missed baseball games and hockey banquets. My husband Mark is my rock. He holds down the fort and enables me to be away for long stretches by caring for the farm and our family. He is selfless, patient and kind. My Pa is the best roadside assistance ever when things go sideways on a horse show roadtrip. My Mom is the ultimate super fan and is working hard to brainstorm ways to finance our next big adventure through fundraising.

My oldest, Will, is also an instrumental part of the show team. He is a keen equestrian himself, and quick to help out with any task, be it hand-walking, grooming, bathing, cleaning a stall. I am so lucky to have so much good help.

My Horse Village

I am so, so grateful to be surrounded by a supportive team of equestrians, barn friends, old Pony Clubbers and show friends. I am a firm believer in community, uplifting one another, cheering each other on. I adore having a good laugh and a good time. I am so thankful for this gang of hooligans. Friends that feel like family are the an incredible gift. It takes a village and I am grateful for mine.

The Rest of the Team

In 2024 I decided to enlist the help of some other professionals to help me reach my goals. I am grateful to be working with physiotherapists, rheumatologist, massage therapist, nutritionist, sport psych, sport specific personal trainer through the University of Alberta Steadward Centre and a sport specific mentor. I am so thrilled to have such a diverse and enthusiastic team to help me reach my full potential.