Valley Equine Reproduction Welcomes 2026 Breeding Season Interns

As Valley Equine Reproduction prepares for the height of the 2026 breeding season, a new class of interns has joined the team, bringing a shared commitment to hands-on learning, animal care, and the future of the equine industry. Arriving in January and working through July, these interns support the mare and foal-out teams, with additional assistance in the recipient mare division. Their roles place them at the center of daily breeding operations, from foaling and mare management to reproductive procedures and overall herd care.

Mare Manager Sara Riddle emphasized the value of the program and the role interns play in the season’s success. “Our internship program is designed to give students a true, working understanding of a large-scale breeding operation. They’re not just observing. They’re part of the team, learning the responsibility, attention to detail, and care it takes to manage mares and foals at the highest level. Watching them grow in confidence and skill over the season is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.”

Alice Renaud joins Valley Equine with an international outlook and a clear commitment to building a career in equine breeding management. Her academic training in Ireland has provided a strong foundation, but she is intentionally seeking experience across different countries, breeds, and management systems to broaden her perspective. 

At Valley Equine, she is focused on understanding not only reproductive techniques such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer, but also the operational framework required to manage a large-scale breeding facility.

Alice’s long-term goals include managing a foaling unit or breeding operation and eventually developing her own breeding farm in Europe. She views this internship as an opportunity to deepen her technical knowledge while gaining insight into staffing, facilities, and the decision-making processes that support efficient, high-quality care.

“I want to gain experience in different breeding systems and develop the skills needed to manage a foaling unit or my own breeding operation, with a strong understanding of both the technical and management sides of the industry.”

Charlee Zella is pursuing a future in the horse breeding industry with a particular interest in breeding management. Inspired by leadership roles like that of a breeding manager, she is focused on gaining the comprehensive experience needed to step into a similar position after graduation. Her long-term vision includes operating her own equine breeding facility, supported by a strong foundation in both reproductive care and program management.

During her time at Valley Equine, Charlee is especially eager to learn the foaling process in its entirety, from pre-foaling preparation through delivery and early foal care. She values the opportunity to see the breeding season unfold from start to finish and hopes to secure a position within the industry upon graduation.

“I want to understand the breeding season from start to finish and build the knowledge required to step into a breeding manager role and, ultimately, operate my own program.”

Christopher Menchaca’s path into the equine industry began just three years ago, when an introduction from a friend led him to pursue coursework and hands-on experience in equine studies. Since then, he has immersed himself through volunteering, job shadowing, and networking, building both practical skills and a broader understanding of the industry. His time at Valley Equine in the recipient mare division allows him to deepen his knowledge of reproductive management while exploring long-term goals that span performance disciplines, research, and education.

Christopher is particularly interested in the potential for research that improves breeding efficiency and advances reproductive methods such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer. He also sees value in education and outreach, with the possibility of teaching at the college level and helping others better understand the equine industry.

“This internship allows me to gain experience I can apply in the future, connect with professionals across the industry, and continue exploring ways to improve breeding practices and share knowledge with others.”

Hailey Larsen brings a lifelong connection to horses, having been raised on a ranch and actively involved in rodeo throughout high school and college. Her background has provided extensive hands-on experience in horse handling, care, and performance horse management, along with the discipline and work ethic required in the equine industry. At Valley Equine, she is focused on expanding her expertise in reproduction while also strengthening her understanding of the business side of breeding operations.

Hailey’s long-term goal is to own and operate a breeding program dedicated to producing high-quality horses through ethical, sustainable practices. She is especially interested in learning breeding management, reproductive procedures, and overall mare care, while also gaining exposure to stallion collection to better understand both sides of a breeding program.

“I want to learn how successful breeding programs are planned, managed, and executed so I can build a strong foundation for a program that prioritizes quality, sustainability, and long-term success.”

Janette Hernandez’s passion for equine reproduction was shaped by her upbringing on a ranch and her family’s growing Quarter Horse breeding program, established in 2019. With five stallions and twelve broodmares, the program focuses on producing quality horses for cutting and reining, giving Janette firsthand experience in genetics, foal management, and performance horse production. Her goal is to pursue a career as a broodmare or stallion manager while continuing to strengthen and expand her family’s operation.

At Valley Equine, Janette is gaining hands-on experience within a well-established breeding facility, allowing her to learn from experienced professionals and observe the systems that support a successful program. She is confident that the skills and knowledge gained during the internship will provide a strong foundation for her future career.

“This experience will help me grow as a professional and give me the tools to contribute meaningfully to large breeding operations and to the continued success of my family’s program.”

Jordan George was raised in a family rooted in the horse industry, from team roping to racing, and recently expanding into the breeding side of racehorses. She competes on the head side in team roping and keeps her horse in Stephenville, allowing her to stay actively involved while pursuing her degree. With plans to build a career in western and agricultural marketing, Jordan understands the importance of strong horsemanship and a well-rounded knowledge of horse care to effectively represent the industry.

Her experience handling yearlings during sale fitting season strengthened her confidence and practical skills, while the breeding season has introduced her to the veterinary and reproductive side of the industry. She is particularly interested in understanding mare cycles, semen collection, and the collaborative work that supports successful breedings, and she looks forward to seeing the full process come together during foaling season.

“I’m excited to learn more about the breeding process as a whole and to continue improving my horsemanship by gaining a deeper understanding of the horse.”

Kai Bagley returns to Valley Equine after assisting with the Fall 2025 Sale Fitting internship, where he gained hands-on experience preparing yearlings for the Western Bloodstock NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales and NCHA Futurity Sales. That experience sparked a deeper interest in the industry and the practical skills required in equine operations. During the breeding season, Kai is focused on expanding his knowledge of daily procedures, handling techniques, and the level of consistency required to support mare and foal health.

He views the internship as an opportunity to continue building a strong foundation through hands-on work and to better understand the standards expected within a professional breeding program.

“I’m excited to continue building my hands-on experience and learning the skills and techniques that are essential to working with horses in a professional setting.”

Kinsey Murray grew up in a horse training environment, learning from her father and gaining experience in ranching, cutting, and roping. Her background has provided a strong foundation in horsemanship and performance disciplines, and she is eager to expand her perspective by stepping into the breeding sector. She recognizes the value of understanding the full lifecycle of the horses she has long worked with in training environments.

At Valley Equine, Kinsey is focused on gaining new experiences and developing a broader understanding of breeding operations, mare care, and the processes that support healthy foals and long-term performance potential.

“I’m looking forward to the new experiences I will gain in the breeding industry and building on what I’ve learned growing up around horses.”

Lexee Meyer is building toward a career in equine reproduction and breeding management, supported by her academic background in animal science and reproduction. She is focused on strengthening her practical skills and gaining a clearer understanding of how breeding operations function on a daily basis. Through hands-on work at Valley Equine, she is translating classroom knowledge into real-world application while developing the confidence and decision-making skills required in the field.

Her long-term goal is to build a career centered on reproductive management, supported by continued learning and experience within active breeding programs.

“I want to continue building practical experience and develop a long-term career in breeding and reproductive management through hands-on work in a real-world setting.”

Madisyn Hanson’s interest in equine reproduction was solidified through an independent study in Lexington, Kentucky, where she worked with Thoroughbred breeding operations as well as experience showing in the APHA All-Around. That experience confirmed her desire to pursue a career that combines reproductive work with her agribusiness degree, which she will complete this spring. She plans to remain active in the performance horse industry while applying her business knowledge in a professional setting.

Madisyn brings a strong respect for broodmares and their foundational role in the industry. She understands that consistent, attentive mare care is central to producing healthy foals and sustaining successful breeding programs.

“I believe mares are the backbone of the breeding industry, and I have a deep respect for the role they play in producing the next generation of horses.”

Macey Browning is pursuing a Master’s degree in Animal Science Production with a concentration in equine reproduction at Tarleton State University. Originally from Whitehouse, Texas, she discovered the internship opportunity through her graduate advisor and saw it as a natural extension of her academic focus. While she did not grow up around horses, her involvement in equine research projects and coursework throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies has built a strong foundation and deep interest in the field.

Macey plans to pursue a career either as a university instructor or within an equine breeding facility following graduation. Her long-term goals center on educating others about the animal science industry, particularly equine, and contributing to reproductive work in a laboratory setting. During her time at Valley Equine, she is especially eager to learn from Dr. Fabio and the stallion lab team, gaining experience in semen collection, processing, fertilization, and the broader scope of reproduction lab procedures.

“I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can about semen collection, processing, and fertilization, and gaining experience in a reproduction lab setting while continuing to grow my knowledge of equine reproduction.”

As the breeding season continues, these interns play an important role in supporting the daily care and attention that define Valley Equine Reproduction. Their time in the program represents more than seasonal work. It is an investment in the future of the equine industry, providing the experience, perspective, and professional foundation needed to carry strong breeding programs forward.

Through long days, early mornings, and the steady rhythm of the season, this group is gaining the kind of practical knowledge that cannot be taught in a classroom. By July, they will leave with more than experience. They will leave with a deeper understanding of the responsibility, precision, and dedication required to support the next generation of performance horses.

For more information on our future internship opportunities, click here.