I hope you enjoy reading my equestrian journey. If you would like to check out my awards and memberships click the button below.
I've loved everything about horses for as long as I can remember. My dreams started coming true at the age of ten, when my aunt paid for my first year of riding lessons.
After continuing lessons for three years, I finally convinced my parents to get me a horse, Tag a Lady (Holly). She is a registered quarter horse and we are members of the American Quarter Horse Association.
Of course my parents wanted to ride with me; the logical solution: get two more horses, Prince of the Woods (Prince) and Prince's Raven (Raya).
I soon joined the Chi Hi Equestrian Team and succeeded in gaming, winning many individual events and our team placing 3rd in our district. I could have easily gone one to win state. However I stopped because it damaging my relationship with my horse.
Raya came with minimal training and Holly had mental barriers from gaming; they challenged me to learn how to train horses. Through my research, I came across bitless and liberty training which I feel in love with and incorporate into my training.
After falling in love with training, I wanted a project horse to increase my knowledge. Of course, I had to go all out and get an untouched five year old mustang. Nevada's Spartan (Spartan) is still the hardest horse I've ever trained and has taught me more than I'll ever know.
Gaming wasn't the right fit for me and I needed something new. Why not try gymnastics on horseback? Thus I began participating at Northern Lakes Vaulting.
As Raya increased in age it became harder for her to be ridden. What do I do? Teach her to drive a cart! Raya learned very quickly and on only her tenth time pulling she drove in our local parade, might I add bitless, blinderless, and barefoot.
I get a great job at Pony Tales Refuge and Rehab training rescued horses from all walks of life. You name it, I've probably worked with it: untouched, pregnant mares, foals, stallions, donkeys, mules, x-broncs, bucks, rears, kicks, bites, driving horses, minis, drafts, gaited, etc.
I decided to begin teaching horsemanship lessons to educate others about proper horsemanship that encourages trust and communication with your equine partner.
As if I didn't have enough excitement in my life, I decided to take a few circus and trick riding camps and clinics with Veronica Painter from Horsemanship Unlocked and Flying Colors Trapeze.
It's now or never. That's what I thought when I decided to compete in a competition where I received, Kalifornia Blonde (Kali), an untouched mustang and had approximately 100 days to train her before competing and winning Reserve Champion!
As soon as Guardian of Woodlyn (Gigantor) a percheron cross came into the rescue I worked at, I knew he was coming home with us. He has the perfect temperment, age, and size for beginner and larger riders.
When I got my first horse Holly, I had ridden less than 10 horses. Three years later, I have worked with over 100 horses with all levels of training and spent over 1,000 hours working with them.
After a summer of declining health, Raya was diagnosed with EPM a neurological disease inhibiting her ability to move. She had to be put down soon after.
With an increasing number of students participating in lessons, I tentatively looked for another horse. We found Commander John Hancock (Commander) at the rescue as well. After he recovered from strangles, we brought him home.
I had the amazing opportunity to watch the first annual Liberty Festival, the world championship liberty competition, and meet many famous trainers including Warwick Schiller, Pat Parelli, Dan James, and Luke Gingerich.
I took two mustangs to the MN Horse Expo, the largest equine trade show in Minnesota, to represent their breed.
After approximately 100 days of training, Luna and I won the Horsemanship Champion award and 3rd overall at the Michigan TIP Challenge.
Still a mystery to discover!