Jenna Koch, 16, reacts to her horse, Wild Turkey, nuzzling her ear after a ride at Diamond Farms in Gray Summit, Mo. 

Jenna opens a curtain in her bedroom at her family's house in Union. Jenna has competed in three horse shows this year, fewer than normal because she had to help take care of her mother and recover from breaking her ankle in mid-July.

Jamie Koch speaks to her daughter, Jenna, as Jenna leaves their house. Jenna has helped out around the house more since Jamie had a stroke in April, and the medication that's helping Jamie recover limits her physical activity. Jenna's brothers work out of state, and her father is on a weeks-long bear hunting trip in Idaho.

Jenna opens the garage door before leaving her family's house.

Jenna attends a chemistry lecture at East Central College in Union. Koch graduated high school early and began studying agricultural science with a focus on animals fulltime at East Central College in August. She hopes to earn her associate's degree before she turns 18. 

Jenna attends a chemistry lecture at East Central College.

Jenna walks through a field to bring her horse, Wild Turkey, into a barn for grooming and a ride at Diamond Farms in Gray Summit, Mo. Jenna tries to ride both Wild Turkey and her other horse, who lives at a barn in Washington, Mo., nearly every day.

Jenna carries a bridle and saddle for Wild Turkey before riding him in a barn at Diamond Farms.

Jenna rides Wild Turkey at Diamond Farms. Jenna received Wild Turkey when she was 11 years old as a gift from her dressage trainer, who thought Jenna and the horse got along well. Wild Turkey hospitalized a previous owner by trapping her against the side of a trailer, breaking several of her ribs. Jenna said she's never been injured by Wild Turkey because she doesn't act nervous around him and doesn't react when he acts up.

Jenna smiles at her boyfriend, Kayden Black, 18, after riding Wild Turkey. Jenna said she's known Kayden all her life, and they've been dating since 2024. Jenna and Kayden are looking for plots of land to buy in Union and build a house on. "Most kids at 16 wouldn't be looking for property to buy," Jenna said.

Jenna and Kayden walk Wild Turkey toward a barn at Diamond Farms. "We're done before nine o'clock tonight?" Kayden said after he and Jenna finished feeding horses at another barn in Union. "I know," Jenna said. "Holy crap," Kayden said.