Danielle Kernen - Head Trainer
Trainer Danielle has over 30+ years horse experience in the equine industry. Throughout the years she has worked with many disciplines and breeds. Her most in-depth background is in the AQHA style and disciplines. She has trained many horses to be versatile all-around horses. Her horses and herself hold many championship titles from western pleasure, in-hand events, hunter under saddle, and ranch. She and her AQHA gelding Sure Soxy were awarded the 2015 National Champion is both Western Pleasure and Ranch Pleasure. Since then she has won many awards at open shows under western, ranch, and HUS. She thrives off her clients doing well and takes much pride in being able to teach an individual to work their own horse to create a special partnership. Although she will ride horses for clients, she likes to always see the rider working their own horse and become a team.
Michelle Jarels - Barn Manager/Beginner Riding Instructor
Michelle has 30+ years of experience riding, teaching, and caring for horses. As a youth she was a member of the United States Pony Club. Through high school years as a working student at Rose Hill Farm in Bedford, Virginia grooming and exercising show hunters and racehorses. Michelle attended Virginia Intermont College for two years. After college she opened her own lesson barn where she enjoyed teaching young children to ride and love horses. After some few years of teaching she decided to just ride and show her own horse. She has been the office assistant for Danielle and Toms Performance Horses for going on 10 years now. You will see her out with the kids helping them getting for lessons and volunteering her time helping with camps, clinics, and shows.
Brittany Kernen - Intern Barn Manager/Beginner Riding Instructor
Brittany has been riding and showing under the guidance of her mother Danielle Kernen, judge, trainer and owner of Toms Performance Horses ,LLC. She can be found in the barn or in the saddle at anytime when not in school. Brittany is a hard worker and loves assisting Danielle with anything to do with her program and a horse. Brittany is the President of the new Hat Creek Equestrian 4H Club in Campbell Co. She loves 4H. She loves learning and being a mentor to younger children and her peers. Brittany wants a full time career one day with horses and what a better start then this internship!
Intern Teen Leader
Emma Baldwin has been riding with us about 5 years and has shown me her love and dedication for not only animals but also people. Emma leases one of our lesson horses and boards her mini here. Emma is also very involved in Bits-N-Pieces 4H, her school marching band and of course here on our farm. She is in our full-time lesson program and show team but now will get to spend time here outside of that. She will get to work alongside of me, my husband, and my daughter on how we work and train horses. Day to day care of horses, assisting younger riders and helping with events. Emma is already a responsible young lady, but this position is not held lightly. She will have and learn more responsibility, more work ethic, how to work with and for others....and last how to be a good horse woman. We are proud already of Emma and so excited to see her grow with us here!
Intern Teen Leader
Rylie Roeglin is a true asset to Toms Performance horses. She is not only passionate for the horses but for working with young children, helping her friends, and giving back to her community with volunteer work! We are blessed to have this beautiful young lady here. She has team work down with her riding buddies here and has step up as an Intern Teen leader and help with the little Buckaroos. She loves doing in hand work with our Shetland Cinnamon and absolutely loves riding our lesson horse Bailey. She has a background in the Hunter world but is getting western under her belt too! We love Rylie and can’t say enough about her to be honest.
Intern Teen Leader
Blakley Martin is such a hardworking young lady and we are super excited to have this young lady as a teen intern! Always asking what can she do next. She has dreams of vet school and we want to help her get in her way there! She is wonderful at our Buckaroo camps. I never have to worry about a childs safety with her and I also never have to worry about sunblock because this girl makes sure everyone has it on! We adore Blakely and hope to help make all her equine dreams come true!