Senior Spotlight: Kyndall Harper

Kyndall Harper

When did you start riding?
I have grown up riding! I remember having my first pony when I was 3-years-old, and I grew up riding because my grandparents had horses. They did reining, and that is how I got into it. I would do some team penning, I did a little barrel racing, and I would do all of the games before I got more serious with reining.

Did your grandparents own the farm you grew up riding on?
Yes they did, and it was really convenient because it was right next door to my mom. My mom and my uncle both rode growing up and then they got out of it, and I got into it.

What is one of your earliest memories?
I would say riding my pony around the pasture beside our house because I would like to go fast, of course. I remember running down the fence line and my grandmother yelling, "Kyndall! Slow down!" I was probably only six when I would do this, and I was on my pony Jessie.

When did you start getting serious with competition?
We first borrowed a few horses from my grandma's good friend, and I showed them a little bit. Then they bought me my first competitive show horse when I was 10-years-old, and his name is Chicken. I rode with Brad Pagh and Mark Rafacz at shows, but my grandparents took me too all of my shows.

Did Chicken come with that name when you bought him?
Yep, he did. His real name is Please Me Whiz, but his barn name is Chicken because he grinds his teeth and it sounds like a chicken.

What was your biggest accomplishment in high school?
I would say being a two-time National Reining Horse Association Champion on Chicken in 2011. It was a whole years worth of accomplishments and traveling that was put into winning this title. They were a year long title which made them very special.

When did you know you wanted to ride in college?
Growing up, we rode a lot with the Florida Reining Horse Association and a lot of Georgia alumni rode with them as well. I had the chance to grow up around all of those girls that were being recruited while I was still younger and that really set the bar for me to ride in college. It really helped that I was familiar with the format and process.

How did you know you wanted to go to Georgia?
I looked at a lot of schools, but the competitive spirit of UGA's team, and all of the girls on the team that went here were the main points that brought me here. I also love the campus and the town of Athens because it reminds me of my hometown St. Augustine, FL. It has that small town feel, yet historic vibes to it.

How has your role developed over the past four years?
I think taking on more of a leadership initiative over the past years, and really just learning. Learning how to be a better horsewoman, learning about horses, riding, and showing has all developed over the years. And it is different every time you lay a leg over the horse.

How has your family and team boyfriend gotten involved?
Starting out, all they knew was reining. Now after years of traveling, they have learned about all of the different events and that has been pretty cool for them. Finally now, they have figured out what the judge is looking for on the English side but also with horsemanship because that was completely new for them as well. They have also learned how quickly four minutes goes by on a horse in the warm up.

What has been your favorite moment on the team?
I would say I have had a lot of great rides that have been very memorable for me. One that sticks out the most would be my freshman year at SEC's. Me being a freshman, and put in a pressured situation to go in there and lay it down, really made winning SEC's special.

Who is your favorite UGA horse?
Smoke or Captain! Smoke has always been my buddy, and I like to ride him because we get along really well. Captain is one of the most talented horses here so he is really fun to ride as well.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?
I am marrying the team boyfriend, Rhett Peeples, in May and then I am moving to Ringold, GA where I will be looking for a job!

Are you excited to graduate?
Yes I am excited. I graduated last year in undergrad and then I will be graduating this year with my Master's Degree in Learning Leadership in Organization Development. Up until this weekend it had not felt real, but after the senior meet it kind of hit me that 'Wow, we are the senior class now!

Players Mentioned

Kyndall Harper

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