"ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE, TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH."
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Jack and Kaci met in 2018 while working together under NRHA Professional Craig Schmersal. They share a deep passion for horses and a love for the sport of reining. The couple were engaged in 2019 and married in 2021 and continue to work together each and every day towards their shared dreams.
In 2020, Jack and Kaci started Pond Hill Performance Horses. Working together is a privilege and a lifelong commitment. Having two top-level reining trainers at the helm, both equally committed to each other's success gives Pond Hill Performance Horses an edge when it comes to building a strong program.
As leaders of a strong team, Jack and Kaci and the entire PHPH crew work daily toward a shared vision. That vision is training and showing the highest level reining horses in the industry, providing unparalleled care to each horse, bringing their customers an outstanding experience in the sport of reining, and providing a future for the industry through their breeding program.
Kaci o'rourke
Kaci was born and raised in Castleton, Vermont on the family owned, Pond Hill Ranch. Growing up in this environment allowed her to gain an appreciation for all kinds of horses and get experience in many equine disciplines. The family business involving caring for hundreds of horses allowed her to grow up as a horsewoman.
Kaci began reining at the age of 13 and accumulated a number of wins during her youth career, including: 5X NRHA Top Ten World Standings, over 700 Youth Points, NRHA Derby Circuit Champion, 2X NRHA Affiliate Champion, Congress Top Tens, and many more.
Her NRHA Professional career began at the age of 18 under the guidance of 3X NRHA Futurity Champion Casey Deary for nearly 5 years. It continued alongside NRHA 5 Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal.
With the inception of Pond Hill Performance Horses, Kaci's career took off. As of 2025, she is an NRHA Million Dollar Rider, an NRHA L4 Open Futurity Champion, TAPH Reserve Champion, and multiple time L4 Open Major Event Finalist.
Her favorite part of the training process is probably the three year old year for its rewarding nature and the ability to see so much growth in these young horses. She also enjoys finding and picking out yearlings that will fit into the PHPH program.
jack daniels
Originally from Rockhampton, Queensland Australia, Jack grew up training rope horses and cow horses. He soon made a name for himself in the reining industry in Australia training 2 yr olds and Futurity prospects as well as showing in Reining Australia events.
Jack first came to the U.S. at the age of 17 to compete in the National High School Rodeo Finals in both calf roping and team roping. He then returned to America to work for NRHA's #3 all-time money earner Craig Schmersal.
Jack has spent much time perfecting his 2 yr old program and prides himself on putting a complete, solid foundation on his horses. He enjoys the process of starting young horses and carrying them through all the way to the futurities.
Since beginning Pond Hill Performance Horses, Jack has accumulated over 1/4 of a Million in NRHA Earnings. He is a multiple time NRHA L4 Open Futurity Finalist, L4 Open NRBC Finalist, NRHA Derby and 100X Finalist, and NRHA L1 Open Derby Champion.
Jack is also a very accomplished farrier. He, personally, shoes all of the show horses at Pond Hill Performance Horses. Jack is the overall definition of a true horseman.
meet Our team
Pond Hill Performance Horses has grown to be a multi-level training operation. Having depth in a team is an invaluable asset in any program. Our riders are eligible for multiple levels allowing our horses to succeed where they are at, not where we try to make them fit. We can better provide opportunities to our owners and our horses by having a skilled, all encompassing group of horsemen and horsewomen.
TAYLOR
HERRING
ASSISTANT TRAINER
LAUREN
SANBORN
ASSISTANT TRAINER
CRISTHIAN
SILVA
GROOM
PHILIPPE LAFORTUNE
ASSISTANT TRAINER
ANDREA
RENAUD
ASSISTANT TRAINER
EDDIE
RAMIREZ
ASSISTANT TRAINER
MACKENZIE
WIPF
GROOM / ASSISTANT
BREEDING TEAM
Our breeding division is led by Caroline Dunleavy, a Texas A&M Graduate with a strong passion for horses. Caroline treats every horse in our care as if it were her own. Together with Dr Pat Garrett, our team has seen extraordinary success in getting our future athletes on the ground and growing up to be the very best that they can be.
Caroline
dunleavy
MARE MANAGER
DR PAT
GARRETT
CHIEF BREEDING VET
mia
salmon
BREEDING INTERN
care team
dr dalton
pate
VETERINARIAN
CASEY
SORITA
CHIROPRACTOR
JACK
DANIELS
HEAD FARRIER
RANDY
MULLINIX
DENTAL
DYLLON
SILL
FARRIER
NAUTILUS
SALT WATER
SALT WATER SPA
MEDIA TEAM
JEN
KASPER
MEDIA MANAGER
VERONIKA
SLAMOVA
PHOTOGRAPHY
CAROLINE
DUNLEAVY
CONTENT CREATOR