tell us about yourself - Jenna Smeenk is a Professional Barrel Racer entering her 3rd year of competition with her horse, Taz (Fultastic) who she bought off of the race track and trained herself. Jenna is also a business owner and entrepreneur, focusing on her tack company, Knotty Halters and online coaching program and e-Courses, as well as real estate investing and property management. Another passion of Jenna's is public speaking, and she is currently writing a book and plans to launch her book tour early next year coupled with speaking engagements, clinics, and of course rodeos.
tell us about your family - Jenna grew up on a 10,000 acre buffalo ranch in a small town in South Dakota. She has one older sister, Trisha and one younger brother, Jed. The entire family grew up ranching and of course, a love for the western way of life and rodeo. Today, Trisha is an established horse trainer with emphasis on the Bureau of Land Management Mustang Adoption Programs as well as colt starting and barrel racing. Trisha is still serving in the military, living in Oklahoma with her husband, DJ Shields who was a Professional Bull Rider she met during her year as Miss Rodeo USA. Jed resides in Texas, manages a supply company and is also in the military.
how does rodeo help you contribute to your community? The biggest way I have tried to give back to the industry is through adding as much value as possible. I don't claim to know everything, but I plan to learn and grown and seek knowledge from the best until I do - which is an ongoing and never-ending pursuit. I try to document where I am on my journey so that others may learn and relate, and hopefully turn decades into days from the lessons I've learned. Social media, YouTube videos, E-Coaching and e-Courses are the best way I have found to touch people all across the country from exactly where I am. Social media is a powerful tool when used in the right way. It can spread knowledge and passion.
who do you admire in life and why? My biggest role model is none other than Tony Robbins. He is the kindest human I have ever met and strives to constantly add the most value and impact more lives than anyone else.
what one thing do you cherish in life? I cherish my family. They have been there for me through everything - even when no one else believed in me. They've always had my back and I know I can count on them no matter what the situation or the circumstance. I think we are all striving for love and human connection in this life, and I had the best foundation and start growing up in the Smeenk Household. It made me who I am today and they are constantly pushing me to be the best ME that I can be.
what has been your most proud achievement so far? Serving in the military for 9 years and deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. I am so proud to have done that and have that experience.
what advice would you give to the upcoming generation? You better hustle! Don't let anyone outwork you. Nothing worth having comes easy. Enjoy the moment, enjoy the journey. Find fulfillment in the NOW and realize that you don't need anything to choose happiness, you have it all, already. Constant growth and never-ending improvement is what you should strive for!
xoxo
Jenna
Q & A with Jenna Smeenk
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Photo Credit: Beautiful Boudie Studio