G & R Horse Farms

10/17/2026

10/17/2026

Pretty in the show pen, but built for real work💪🏼

Frosted N Favorable shows up when we need her to — if it’s in the arena or out working cattle.
That’s the versatility we value.
That’s cowhorse🤠

📸Ace High Photography

10/16/2026

Reba will be available tomorrow at Schmitty's Sale Barn! A beautiful 2 year old with great confirmation and sired by HQ Helluva Cat!

Check out her video and keep an eye out for her tomorrow!

10/15/2026

From the show pen —> to the branding pen.

JB Lena Guitar through the ears of Frosted N Favorable, showing off the versatility we value in our horses. It’s not just about what they can do in the arena, but how they show up when we need them, too!

A good horse is a good horse, wherever and whenever you put them to work 💪🏼

Ace High Photography

10/10/2026

Student Spotlight | Meet Shay Henson!

What a summer it’s been for Shay and G&R Farms’ Rodeo Josie!

Shay began his riding journey in IEA catch riding, earning two trips to Nationals and placing 8th both times! His passion for horses led him to pursue a college education in equine management at Ellsworth Community College, where he was paired with Josie for the two-year-old training class. The pair made quite the team, taking 1st place in every class at the student show! 🏆 Shay is also actively involved in the quarter horse industry, serving as the IQHYA Vice President and serving as the AQHA region 3 national director!

That success earned Shay the opportunity to continue working with Josie throughout the summer, competing at Scenic City Summer Show, the Iowa State Fair, and the Hawkeye Classic in Mason City. They continued to make their mark with top placings in ranch events and showmanship, including Circuit Champion in Showmanship at the Hawkeye Classic!

Shay plans to continue working with horses after college, with the goal of someday becoming a trainer. We’re proud to be part of his journey and appreciate the hard work, dedication, and time he’s invested in Josie this summer!

We’re proud to support the next class of equine students at Ellsworth Equestrian Center and can’t wait to see what the future holds for Shay!

10/09/2026

SHELBI BRAUN | BARN & BREEDING MANAGER

Shelbi started her journey here at G&R Farms as an intern, and we’re proud to see how she has grown into her role as our Barn Manager and Breeding Manager.

Shelbi plays an important role in the day-to-day operations of the barn, overseeing everything from feeding, watering, stall care, and turnout to the overall health and well-being of our horses.

On the breeding side, Shelbi coordinates our mares’ reproductive cycles, manages inseminations, schedules veterinary care, and keeps accurate breeding records to help ensure a successful breeding program.

She also works hands-on with our yearlings, focusing on groundwork, manners, and building a solid foundation for their future training. From young prospects to horses at various stages of training, Shelbi helps ensure every horse receives the care, attention, and handling they need for a successful future.

We’re thankful to have Shelbi as part of the G&R Farms team and appreciate the dedication, knowledge, and hard work she brings to our barn every day!

10/05/2026

Meet Kayleigh!
Our summer 2026 intern.

-Her love for horses started at a young age. As a little girl, she begged her grandparents for riding lessons, and at just 8 years old, her Grandpa bought her a 7-year-old cutting mare. That mare sparked a love for working with cow horses that has continued to grow ever since.

Now in her third year at Ellsworth Community College, she is studying Equine Science, Equine Management, Business Administration, and Accounting. During her time at ECC, she discovered a particular passion for equine reproduction, especially through the college’s spring breeding program.

It was through her reproduction classes that she met Gary and eventually talked her way into an internship at G & R Horse Farms!

During her time here, Kayleigh has had the opportunity to experience many different aspects of a working horse operation - from helping breed mares and handling babies, to working with yearlings, caring for and maintaining the facility, and riding ranch horses.

Her experience at here has made her a better horsewoman and given her much insight into the type of operation she hopes to be a part of in the future.

We are proud to work alongside Ellsworth Community College and its Equine Program. We believe there is true value in giving equine students the opportunity to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to a real-world working horse operation.

We’ve loved having Kayleigh as an intern and watching her grow in both her horsemanship and her knowledge of the equine industry. We’re excited to see where her passion for equine reproduction takes her next!

We’re proud to support ECC and its Equine Program and look forward to welcoming more students through our doors in the future.

Robin Sampson