Barb's Story

Barb’s first experience with the horse world came in 1962 at the Watchung Riding Stables in Summit, NJ. Shortly thereafter came the constant hounding of the parents for a horse. Starting with a camp horse “Sweet William” that stayed in their backyard, Barb and her brother Jim proved their ability to be responsible for the complete care of the horse. Through a series of “coincidences” the Jensen family found After Dark - truly a horse of a lifetime. “Dark” was barely 6 years old at the time. Through 4-H, Barb and Dark developed their long partnership and received thousands of ribbons and championships. Barb and Dark were New Jersey State 4-H Champions twice (1969 and 1970), as well as the NJHSA and NJPHA Non-Thoroughbred Working Hunter Champion in 1976. One of her most valued awards is the Russell Conover Memorial Sportsmanship Award.

Along the way, Dark went to Mt. Holyoke College where Barb received her BA in Psychology (1974). They were introduced to eventing and foxhunting. Barb ran the Mt. Holyoke College Horse Trials for 2 years, as well as their recognized horse shows. In 1974, she received the Horsemanship Award for the college. It was during this time that Barb took her first clinic with George Morris. Solely based on that experience, Barb wanted to instruct and train. In 1993, she became a certified Centered Riding Instructor.

In 1977, Barb received a job offer to come to the Capital District area to instruct. One of the founding members of the Tri County Riding Association with Susan Slater and Cathy DeMartino, Barb held many positions with TCRA. In 1991 a former student attending Siena College asked her to coach their riding team which she did until 1995. Additionally Barb has sat on the board of the Capital District Hunter Jumper Council.

In 1980 and 1983 respectively, Barb bred one of her thoroughbred mares and had 2 fillies which she broke and showed extensively.

In 1996, after earlier in the year approaching the Humane Society, Barb was involved in the rescue of abused horses at a nearby farm. Three horses came to After Hours to recuperate and become whole. One went on to be a companion horse at another location, and the other two are still here!

1999 proved to be a pivotal year due to purchasing the current location of After Hours Farm. A 13 acre horse farm in Clifton Park, NY, Barb also lives on the property.