The Dynamic Mother-Daughter Duo · Deneen and Dakota King

Change is scary and often uncomfortable. But as author Gail Sheehy once said, “If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living.”

Taking a big leap of change in the horse industry for mother-daughter duo Deneen and Dakota King has resulted in discovering the growth and treasures that can accompany that risk. The competitive pair made a splash on the APHA show scene recently when they began showing their trio of Paint Horses, leaving behind their days of conquering fences in the Hunter ring and dominating obstacles in Mountain Trail competition.

Often mistaken for sisters, Deneen (mom) and Dakota (daughter) have a great sense of humor about what has now become their nickname, “the King Sisters.” Besides looking alike, they also share an equally fierce sense of competition. In fact, the twosome with personality plus has embraced their transformation in the world of horses with the ferocity of what their trainer Robin Binkerd jokes is like a Level 5 Tornado. “It’s always a fun day when the two of them come to the barn together. It’s a bit like a funnel cloud!” Binkerd laughs. “But we always have fun!”

Deneen

The Foundation

Deneen’s introduction as a young adult to the sport of English competition and Hunter/Jumper shows with renowned trainer Emil Spadone cinched her addiction. “Riding is a fun but dangerous sport, and I think a lot of people shy away from it if they’ve had a negative experience,” Deneen says. “The horses I was introduced to were all so lovely, and I had the most incredibly safe and wonderful experience that made me love the sport,” she says.

When her daughter, Dakota, was old enough, she begged to ride too, even though Deneen wanted her to wait. “She’s so petite, and I wanted her to be strong in her legs to give her the best possible experience,” she says. However, she finally relented when Dakota was five. By the time Dakota was nine, she was also competing seriously and the pair spent their winters together on the Hunter/Jumper circuit in California.