and riding instructor, Kat Naber; kennel manager Angel Mendez; and Kristen’s brother, Zac Hyronemus, who does facility maintenance and is a jack of all trades. Many of their part-time workers are in-house hires – girls as young as 14 who have horses in the barn have become employees. “They want to work off their board and they want to get the experience in the barn. They know our system very well,” he said. Some of the young women also end up working in the kennel. Two of their best workers are their own children, Wyatt, 11, and Emerson, 7. Both do a good job with the puppies and the dogs. Wyatt enjoys the canines, but he’d rather be on his dirt bike than with the horses. “Kristen and Emerson are absolutely horse fanatics,” Chance said. “The horses are their thing. Emerson got Kristen back in the saddle. I very much believe Emerson will be running the barn by the time she’s 14 years old.” Kristen added, “I had stayed away from horses for years, but when we had Emerson and when she got to be two or three, she had a horse ride and she’s been hooked ever since. So then I got back into the horses.”
Chance and Kristen McNeil in front of CK Kennels.
She continued, “My gosh, Emerson will go all day and all night. A lot of nights we won’t see her until 9:00. She
Get Peace of Mind!
With a Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) policy through NAU Country Insurance Company and Parsons’ Insurance Agency, you’ll be provided with the added protection you need! Give Amy a call today at 605.326.5358, to discuss a protection plan that is right for your farming operation. The Sales Closing Date for PRF is December 1, 2021, so don’t wait too long! Parsons' Insurance Agency PO Box 177 113 N. Main Street Viborg, SD 57070 605.326.5358
Amy Christensen Licensed Agent
© 2021 NAU Country Insurance Company. All rights reserved. QBE and the links logo are registered service marks of QBE Insurance Group Limited. NAU Country Insurance Company and Parsons’ Insurance Agency are equal opportunity providers and employers.
32
The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | November 2021
