Sarah Yenesel

Kylee Lukefahr, 15, pulls for Jade to get back on course when training her to walk over the poles set on the ground at Evans Equestrians' arena on Monday, April 26, 2021. The duo is training for the virtual Lexington, Kentucky Extreme Mustang Makeover competition in the youth division. It challenges trainers to take a completely wild horse and train it. “I spent a majority of my time, like, building trust, building a relationship before I took any steps further,” Lukefahr said. “About three weeks ago, I finally got the halter on and it has blossomed from there.”

Lukefahr touches Jade after being able to get a saddle blanket on her for the first time during training. Repetition and touch is the key in their training.

Jade smells the tarp before walking across it while Lukefahr guides her at Evans Equestrians in Perryville on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Every step makes an unfamiliar, scary crinkle sound. To not be afraid of unfamiliar noise or things is no easy feat for Jade. Lukefahr said the wild horse's instincts tell her to avoid the unfamiliar since she fears it could kill her, and most things in the human world are unfamiliar to her.

Lukefahr looks back as she walks away from Jade. Part of Jade's training is to do small things like stay in place while tied up.

Lukefahr and Jade warm up during a training session by applying training pressure to have her run in circles at Evans Equestrians in Perryville on Friday, May 21, 2021.

Lukefahr and her mother, Misty Abbott, review the required routine for the competition during a training session. Abbott has a mustang of her own and has supported her daughter throughout the competition.

Lukefahr tugs on Jade who walked away from an attempt to cross the tarp, something Jade struggles to do, during a training session at Evans Equestrians in Perryville on Friday, May 28, 2021.

Lukefahr dresses Jade with flag socks to go with the patriotic theme of their freestyle routine for the competition.

Lukefahr and Jade enter the arena donned in patriotic attire for their freestyle routine.

Lukefahr and Jade kneel near her late grandfather's burial flag to end their freestyle routine. The routine was inspired by the song "Mr Red White And Blue" by Coffey Anderson and dedication to her late grandfather, John Logsdon, a Vietnam veteran, and all veterans.

Lukefahr watches the recording of their freestyle routine with her family - step-sister Anna Abbott, 15, step-father Lucas Abbott, mother Misty Abbott, grandfather Brian Budwine and grandmother Julie Budwine at Evans Equestrians in Perryville on Friday. "I can't believe that worked on the first try," Misty said.

Lukefahr and Jade share a drink of water from a hose after completing their freestyle routine for the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition.