Kaylynn Reyna Embodies the Cowboy Spirit

In the spirit of National Day of the Cowgirl, meet Kaylynn Reyna, a junior mathematics education major with a minor in honors. Kaylynn is also a rider for the Six White Horses at Hardin-Simmons University. 

Kaylynn Reyna

Kaylynn joined the Six White Horse program because of her passion for riding horses. In a recent interview, she shared, “I have loved riding my whole life. My Grandpa owned two horses and would let me ride while he led me.” When she got older, she would visit local riding stables to do what she loved best. 

Kaylynn’s favorite part of the Six White Horse program is riding the horses twice weekly. “We ride for several hours as we watch the sun set. Doing this with the amazing friends I have made on the team is relaxing,” she said.  

She hopes to use her experience from this program to work with local stables, training horses and teaching children to ride horses. One of the perks of being on the team is attending rodeos and parades, which provide meaningful interactions with people from various backgrounds. “This networking will help provide lots of opportunities for me in the future,” Kaylynn added. 

Debbie Jones, the Director of the Six White Horse Program, has extensively mentored Kaylynn. “She has been riding horses for a long time, so her knowledge in areas such as horses, rodeos, and interacting with people is extensive,” Kaylynn shared. “She has taught me so much, and I am grateful for this!” 

A common misconception about the Six White Horses is that only six horses are in the program. Kaylynn cleared this up by explaining that the program owns over 15 horses with a team of eight riders. However, only six horses and riders make public appearances at a time. 

Kaylynn’s advice to students who are interested in joining the Six White Horses is to “be confident!” She explained, “Your horse can tell when you are nervous, so try to remain calm.”

Tryouts for this year’s Six White Horse team are scheduled for September 15 at 5:00 p.m. If you have any questions, reach out to Debbie Jones at djones@hsutx.edu.