Dakota Kirchenschlager

Dakota Kirchenschlager

4 Seasons

Dakota Kirchenschlager, hailing from Whitesboro, Texas, is a highly regarded team roper and rope horse trainer. With an impressive track record including three-time qualification for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and earning the title of 2011 Resistol Team Roping Rookie Heeler of the Year, Kirchenschlager has established himself as a prominent figure in the rodeo circuit and futurity pens.

Making his debut at the NFR at just 21 years old in 2012, Kirchenschlager's expertise extends beyond the arena. As the founder of DK Performance Horses, he blends insights gathered from reiners, reined cow horse trainers, and fellow ropers. His training philosophy places a strong emphasis on ensuring horses remain responsive and genuinely enjoy their work.

For those seeking top-tier instruction in team roping or rope horse training, Dakota Kirchenschlager offers unparalleled expertise and a proven record of success.

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Dakota Kirchenschlager
  • Building Runs on a Young Heel Horse

    Episode 1

    Dakota Kirchenschlager's program is about finding what each horse needs to develop confidence in their performance. In this video, Kirchenschlager makes the kinds of runs that put the pieces together for a young heel horse in training.

  • Futurity Horse Prep | Managing Performance

    Episode 2

    The weekend ahead of a futurity competition, Dakota Kirchenschlager puts some finishing touches on his 5-year-old mount. In their first run out the box, Kirchenschlager discovers a green horse with the right ideas but in need of management.

  • Futurity Horse Prep | Day Before Competition

    Episode 3

    What does the day before a rope horse futurity look like for Dakota Kirchenschlager on some of his best young prospects? This video shows how Kirchenschlager works through his program on young rope horses to prepare to compete at an elite level. 

  • 4-Year-Old Inferno 66 Futurity Colt | Managing the Head Horse’s Mind

    Episode 4

    As Dakota Kirchenschlager rides 4-Year-Old Inferno 66 Futurity Colt, he addresses how to prepare a stronger horse's mind right.