Although Jenny Winfield may not be a horse whisperer, she does admit that she has a certain connection with horses. That bond between horse and rider was evidenced at the latest Big Sky State Games, when Winfield garnered five different equestrian championships in Billings.

Riding her horse ";Ink Jet," she won Big Sky titles in the Hunt Seat Equitation Open, the Horse Show, the Aged Geldings, the Hunter Saddle Open and Showmanship Open.

The 2009 Capital High graduate has been riding horses since she was 10 years old. She first started participating in equestrian at the age of 11.

Jenny is the daughter of Bob and Linda Winfield. Bob was a pitcher for the Helena Senators and Washington State University Cougars. He later played for a semi-pro team in Tacoma.

Linda was a tennis player at her high school in Washington.

Jenny runs her horses through their paces at an outdoor arena at the family ranch near Winston, or at a facility in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Her hobbies when away from horses, which she notes is ";not very often," are disc golf and camping.

The 5-foot-9 Winfield explained the different categories in Flat (non-jumping) Equestrian include Hunter Under Saddle, English Equitation, Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, Showmanship and Trail.

She described how the classes differ, ranging from judging either the horse or the rider, to how the two work together, to how well a horse leads.

Winfield competes in about 10 shows a year, April through August. She has captured the Canadian National reserve Showmanship title, and is a two-time Canadian National reserve Hunter Under Saddle champion.

At the California Appaloosa Breed Show, the 19-year old Helenan won the Hunter Under Saddle crown, while placing in the top three in four other classes.

Winfield has a scholarship to Montana Western, where she will compete in Equestrian, in addition to serving as the Bulldogs' assistant coach.

Are you a horse whisperer?

No, not really. But I do get along with the horses really well. My horse only likes me, I'm the only one who can clip his ears n he won't let anybody else do it.

How did you get started in Equestrian?

I watched my cousin, Jessica Jasmin, compete in Seattle, and I fell in love with it. She sold me my very first show horse, Koki Kid. Since then I've had five horses, all Appaloosas. Appys are the best, in my opinion.

Who has had the most impact on your riding skills?

Probably my trainers: Kea Waddell here in town and Curt Fuller in Twin Falls.

What is the difference between the English classes and the Western classes?

In English, you really push your horse, so he stretches his legs out, and in Western you move slower; each step is more precise.

What are some of your goals in Equestrian?

Well, this was my last year in the youth division, so the next age group is the non-pro. I want to qualify for the Appaloosa Worlds in Fort Worth, Texas. To get there I have to earn points in the different Appy shows.