This week’s episode of the Practical Horseman Podcast, sponsored by Purina, is with top West Coast hunter rider, competitor and trainer, Jenny Karazissis.

Jenny’s goal was always to be a professional rider. Even as a young girl riding ponies, she knew that’s what she wanted to be when she grew up. Starting off with lessons from her babysitter Shari Rose, Jenny went on to have a successful junior career, and at its conclusion, immediately became a professional working for Shari.  

Then, in her early 20s, Jenny started dating her now husband, Kost Karazissis—a successful competitor and trainer in his own right. The two combined their efforts and have been riding and training together for decades. Jenny and Kost run Far West Farms out of El Campeon Farms, located in Thousand Oaks, California. Family owned and operated since 1971, Far West Farms and the Karazissis family specialize in hunters, jumpers and equitation at all levels. 

When she’s not training horses or students, Jenny is competing on some of the biggest hunter stages in the country. Over the course of her career, she has won numerous national and international hunter derbies. A few of Jenny’s favorite career highlights include winning the WCHR Professional Challenge at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, winning the $500,000 Hunter Prix Finals at HITS Saugerties, receiving the CPHA Horsewoman of the Year award and the USEF Zone 10 Equestrian of the Year award. 

In this episode, get to know Jenny and her journey in the sport, learn about her training program both for students and horses, and get insight on her favorite exercises at home that help make her horses fit, happy and successful.

This podcast is sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition, with three research-backed ration balancers to fill nutritional gaps in your horse’s diet. Enrich Plus delivers a concentrated source of protein, vitamins and minerals without unnecessary calories. Enrich Plus Senior features ActivAge Prebiotic Technology and Outlast Supplement for aging easy-keepers. Omega Match is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E, great for horses without access to green grass. Find a ration balancer for your horse at purinamills.com/RationBalancers, or visit your local feed store.