A Melding of Passion, Skill, and Ingenuity
By Rita Thompson-Tinsley
Not so long ago in Southern California, six-year-old Kendall began her horse world journey with riding lessons. By eight, she was taking lessons from a local Olympic dressage trainer, realizing later what a good fundamental base dressage could be for a horse and rider.
Twelve-year-old Kendall got her first horse, an Austrian breed gelding, igniting what would later become her intrigue with exotic equines.
Lightning was the horse’s barn name. Though the Noriker draft breed is known for enjoying the trail, this little bolt fought to avoid it. Lightning was spooky and uncooperative until enduring many, many miles of training. They rode in Marshall Canyon where there were dangerous blind curves and lots of mountain bikers approaching front and behind.
Kendall’s reluctant ride developed into not only a wonderful trail horse but a decent parade horse as well.
Next, Kendall decided to take on a project pony, a Pony of the Americas mare named Finesse. She was quite a handful, bucking really hard and trying to flip over backwards with Kendall on board.
While most riders would run like the wind away from these challenging horses, Kendall actually enjoyed the challenge of a difficult project. She was able to gentle Finesse by teaching the mare that it was harder for her to do the wrong thing and easier to do the right thing.
Eventually, Kendall began working with Bureau of Land Management mustangs. She became very successful in training horses for other people, and training and selling horses that she bought.
Matthew Fenn, native Arizonian and currently the mayor of Dewey-Humboldt, is what I would call a Jack of all trades and master of many.
As a youth, Matt got involved in rodeo, fearlessly riding bulls and the like. Later, as an adult, he established a professional background in real estate and did contracting work. Matt became successful by continually setting goals for himself. He understands the need to make sacrifices to make things happen.
Much like Kendall, Matt began buying and selling horses—mainly BLM Mustangs—and sometimes saving horses in distressed situations. While Matt and Kendall were leading a common style of work life, they began doing business with each other. It’s not surprising they became a team and eventually man and wife.
The couple have a farm in Dewey where they have a breeding program for both the Proven Spots Ranch (PSR) Marchador horse and the PSR Chilean horse from Kendall’s earlier exotic horse collections. Both breeds are exquisitely unique.
The Marchador, the national horse of Brazil, exhibits natural gaits including the Batida gait that is truly purposeful in maneuvering all types of trails.
The biomechanics of this gait allows the horse to turn on a dime, moving better and without hinderance. The Chilean horse is the national horse of Chile. Initially bred for cow and stock work, they’re adaptable for trail and many other disciplines.
A characteristic shared by both breeds is their willingness in training, and each tends to be super easy for anyone to ride.
Aside from the exotic equine breeding program, the Fenns have developed valuable community projects including an agri-influenced hands-on learning program for local kids.
These kids have the opportunity to compete in local riding competitions and learn all about farm life. The Fenns daughter, Katrina, and son, Winston, are huge participants on the family farm and at home in the saddle.
Matthew Fenn, a former Dewey-Humboldt councilman, was encouraged to run for mayor in 2024 by local folks who had confidence in his abilities. With his enterprising spirit, love for community and leadership qualities, he took them up on it.
Matt Fenn is not just a Dewey-Humboldt community leader: he’s the perpetual voice encouraging others to also come up with solutions for their community.
A final point of distinction was during the 2025 Dewey-Humboldt Agua Fria Festival’s annual parade when the mayor made his unforgettable debut atop the Fenn family’s honorary steer, Jersey Boy. A little bovine bravado, for sure.
