Horseback Riding, Horsemanship, & Pony Parties

I began riding when I was 5 years old. Nothing structured or polished, just raw grit you could only learn from great horses, that took care of their rider. I give that credit to my cousin. We would take the horses out on trails for picnics and ride in the local parades, given any opportunity. I began learning horsemanship and riding, one day at the time... my favorite was to pick out their hooves. 

On my 8th birthday, my parents gave me my first horse. My Aunt gave me the best first horse-owner gift anyone could ask for- a step stool that doubled as a tack box. She included handwritten note cards, tied to each piece of tack to explain the purpose of each piece. I spent hours studying each word.

I started off running in the 5-speed events at local shows, along with anything else I could convince my horse to perform. My urge grew and I wanted to learn more, about everything! My parents allowed me to attend a horse summer camp in 1996, where I learned about hunt seat riding and jumping- at that point, I wanted to know anything about everything and more of it! It became an obsession. 

I learned how to trot and canter without stirrups, what an egg butt snaffle was, and how to not only show my horse, but how prepare my horse. I had to braid my horse, and prepare her (or him), for the show ring= from polishing them nose to tail, bridle to saddle- how to stay clean/what time to get dressed in my show clothes, in just enough time to stay clean and show-ring-presentable. I also learned that if their water bucket wasn’t clean enough for me to drink out of, it wasn’t clean enough for them. If I did it wrong, I had to hear about it, how to fix it, and redo it. I learned that doing it correctly the first time saved everyone a LOT of hassle.

I will humbly tell you that horses helped me through the hardest teenage years. My horses were always there for me. The work always had to be done. When it would be easier to stay home and lose myself to a screen, I chose to work so I could be with my horses. I have ridden under talented trainers and amazing horse men and women, each one teaching me valuable lessons. To this very day, I reach out as often as I need, to ask questions. From medical conditions, training techniques, and customer service, horse people are always there for you! 

The demanding work of horses, riding, and caring for them, enabled me to channel my energy into a sport, later in life, I would learn, could save me. Horses are more than just a child’s dream. Horses possess the potential to help an “outcast” have a friend, and even make other friends they wouldn’t meet without that connection. They enable the physically challenged to have a sport. They possess the ability to give your child a sense of self. The horse will give you child wings to feel the freedom and love, only a horse can give. 

I passionately believe that horses, “know when you know” and “know when you don’t". You can hug and horse and they immediately understand everything you cannot verbalize. They sense energies and act/react to that. I will tell you that they know if they have a professional on their back or if they have a child on their back. They hear your heartbeat from four feet away. 

My goal is to share my childhood dream and help others discover horses, in the way I remember. Safety is my number one priority and fun is the next! I hope you will consider allowing me to teach your children everything I know about these amazing animals.