1213 North Franklin Road, Greenwood, In. 46143
Meet trainer Jen
Jen Abel began competively showing American Saddlebreds at age sixteen.
Jen traveled to horse shows with her trainer and soon decided this was the life for her. She began learning everything she could and was soon working her own horses and at age seventeen could hook her pleasure horse up to the jog cart and take him for a spin around the outdoor arena by herself. It wasn't long after that she decided to go to William Woods University where she showed many horses, learned to brace tails, put switches in, put the finishing touches on a gaited horse and so many other things. Jen graduated early with a Bachelors of Science in Equestrian Science.
During the summers she worked for trainers such as Barbe Smith of Cascade Stables in New Orleans where she learned to teach beginners all the way to advanced equitation. She then worked for Chuck Herbert of Cedarwood Farm where she learned about young horses, show horses and putting the finesse on in the show ring. Later she worked for James Nichols and Ellen Beard. A show team that focused on amateurs, junior exhibitors, and equitation riders. Jen personally worked with students who won and were reserve at Louisville under the direction of James and Ellen. James and Ellen encouraged Jen and told her she would make it in this business. So she went out on her own and began Four Willows Farm.