Trotting to the top: Tabernacle teen is Equestrian of the Year
It may seem like accolades come easy for Kirsten Jeansson, if for no other reason than because the kind of focus, drive and passion Jeansson exudes is uncommon for a 16-year-old. But Jeansson has worked hard for everything she has achieved — and she has achieved a lot.
At the end of the summer, Jeansson bested six candidates to become the New Jersey Equestrian of the Year. This follows her reign as Burlington County 4-H Senior Equestrian of the Year and Burlington County 4-H Junior Equestrian of the Year.
Jeansson, a resident of Tabernacle, started entering the Equestrian of the Year contests for the experience.
“I wanted to learn more about horses and meet people in other 4-H clubs,” she explained. “I didn’t know it at the time, but the contest has also taught me invaluable interview, public speaking and resume skills.”
To compete for New Jersey Equestrian of the Year, contestants must complete an extensive application, write an essay, take part in individual interviews and give a four- to six-minute speech on stage.
Jeansson said that, while she hoped to win, she didn’t expect to win.
“All of the other contestants were very accomplished,” she said, “and I knew I had some stiff competition.”
The win didn’t sink in right away. After the awards ceremony, Jeansson had to drive back to the barn to get her horse ready for a show on the following day. She was exhausted by the time she got home.
“After that busy weekend, I really had time to realize that I had won,” Jeansson said. “I was so excited.”
As New Jersey Equestrian of the Year, Jeansson is chairperson for the Horse Project Teen Council, where she will recruit members, conduct meetings and business, and organize community service projects. She is also now a youth representative on the Horse Project Advisory Council.
“I have loved horses as long as I can remember,” Jeansson said, adding that she started taking lessons while in elementary school. “I started riding consistently in fifth grade, and I haven’t stopped since.”
Jeansson works and trains with Alison Newman at Gleneayre Farm in Lumberton. She started Gleneayre’s Work-to-Ride Program at age 12, working 20 hours a week in the summer and eight hours a week during the school year.
Daniel is Jeansson’s current project horse, and she has been riding him since November 2013.
In addition to riding, Jeansson competes in horse shows with Daniel, including the recent Gleneayre Hunter Series horse show, where she won all of her classes to win the division championship.
“I love showing Daniel because our hard work as a team pays off when we have a good day,” Jeansson said.
She competes in the spring, fall and summer, and always with Daniel. Separate from these shows, she is part of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association riding team.
“At these shows, I have to ride a horse I have never ridden before and complete a jump course,” Jeansson said. “I am excited to compete in these shows because it will be a great experience to ride a new horse every time, and will be great practice to compete on a college riding team, which is set up the same way.”
While it seems like her extensive work with horses is enough to fill most anyone’s schedule, that’s not all for Jeansson. Earlier in the summer, she was crowned Burlington County Farm Fair Queen. She has been a member of 4-H since fifth grade, and Jeansson is also a member of Triboro 4-H Riders, the Burlington County Horse Advisory and the Burlington County Equine Science Team. At Seneca High School, Jeansson is a junior honor student enrolled in several advanced placement classes. She’s a member of her high school’s student newspaper, student government association and DECA. And as if she doesn’t have enough going on, Jeansson is adding one more thing to her plate. She will be competing in the Department of Agriculture and Equine Advisory Board Equestrian of the Year contest in January.
Of course, it’s no surprise Jeansson is already planning for college. It’s also no surprise she knows the career path she hopes to follow.
“I would love to pursue a degree in equine science or pre-vet and be able to turn my love of horses into a career,” Jeansson said. “I am looking forward to joining an equestrian team in college as well. I would also love to continue riding as an adult, and try to improve every day. This past summer has been very exciting, and I am looking forward to what the future will bring.”
