I have been a horse person since I was a very small child; I began climbing on a friend's pony around the age of five, started formal riding lessons around the age of seven, and got my first horse by the age of nine. I was active in 4-H as a kid, and began showing at 4-H shows and local open shows soon after getting my first horse, but progressed to the Class A Arabian shows by the age of twelve. Throughout this natural progression, my horses were at the center of my heart, the most important thing in my life. They were my best friends and confidants, and I swore to them early on to always give them the best life I possibly could. In return, my horses have won me many prizes and accolades, but most importantly, they have taught me courage, trust, perseverance, honesty, commitment, kindness, and self-sacrifice. This page is dedicated to those values and to the horses that helped me learn those lessons.
The first and most important hat I wear is that of a riding instructor. I provide quality instruction from start to finish, specializing in applying dressage techniques to all seats including Hunt Seat, Saddle Seat, Western, Sidesaddle and Bareback. All fundamentals of good horsemanship are covered including groundwork, beginner’s skills, safe trail riding, preparing the horse/rider team for the show ring, performance improvement, advanced horsemanship technique and well-horse care for all breeds. I especially love working with beginners and children; when experiencing their 'firsts' with them, I rediscover the joy of horses that I have felt my whole life. I use safe, ethical training methods, and have many years of experience teaching, including work with timid riders and “special needs” children and adults. I put great emphasis on sports psychology and reaching the physical through the mental and spiritual; yoga stretching and breathing methods are used to release stress and gain flexibility. I think that having a bachelor's degree in communication enables me to reach people; my methods and philosophy are easy to understand and accessible, and I try to approach all of life and learning with a sense of fun.
I also have worn the hat of the competitor. My family showed Arabians and Half-Arabians for many years. I have won two National Championships, as well as a Reserve National Championship, in English Pleasure, and several National/Regional/State titles in saddle seat equitation, reining, stock seat equitation, sidesaddle, five gaited, and western pleasure. The past few years, I have been outside the show ring, helping my students achieve their horse showing dreams, and staying home with my two young children, enjoying watching them grow up. I really enjoyed my days as a showman, so quite possibly, I will return to it sometime soon.
I am also a breeder of top notch AQHA reining horses. My mare Miss Bam Bam Command is highly sought after as a broodmare. I received the National Reining Horse Association “Breeder’s Award” in 2004 in recognition for breeding Commanders Nic (by Boomernic), leading money earner of the NRHA. There are several up and coming reining horses out there that bear my name, so keep an eye out for them. They are out of some of the best stallions in the biz; Wimpys Little Step, Conquistador Whiz, Custom Pistol, Skeets Peppy, Gunner, Master Snapper, and ARC Matt O Lena, to name a few. I am dedicated to creating a horse that is athletic, beautiful, trainable, and nice to be around. There are few things I enjoy more that talking about bloodlines and analyzing conformation.
All opinions and instructional methods contained in this blog are my own, and in the spirit of honesty and goodwill, I ask my readers to not take these ideas as their own, and distribute them as such. I would like people to share my blog, and my ideas, but please give credit where it is due.
Thank you for reading my blog, and I look forward to sharing my horse world with you!
**UPDATE** Commanders Lil Step (Wimpys Little Step x Miss Bam Bam Command) is the High Seller at the 2011 NRHA Futurity Prospect Sale! This fabulous stallion was bred by me, and is now owned by Xtra Quarter Horses. Congratulations on their purchase, and the very best of luck with him in the future!
