Me

I grew up on a grain farm in rural Alberta.  We learned the value of work, of growth and life.  I was fortunate to have much of my extended family around me as a child and am still close with them.  I was also fortunate to be able to own animals- dogs, cats, birds, cattle and some wonderful horses.  My first horse is still alive and is being loved by a new generation.  I currently own three horses of various pedigrees and ride in multiple disciplines. 

I have three kids as well and a wonderful, stimulating, challenging husband.  

When I was a young child, I wanted to be a vet, only for the reason I would be surrounded by animals.  Then I came to the realization that vets are mainly surrounded by paperwork and sick or injured animals.  I have a lot of respect for vets, especially those who are out there for the animals, not the money or the owners. 

I started my first colt at 14.  I bought her from a ranch down the road with the intention to sell her as a broke horse so I would have some college money- that was well over 15 years ago... She still resides in my pasture.  Since this first very positive experience, I figured I would train horses- mainly starting colts- and have since studied with an assortment of other trainers, attended clinics, symposiums and classes.  Most importantly, I learned to do by doing.  That is how a person develops 'feel'.  "Feel," as one influential trainer repeatedly told me, "cannot be taught."  This is something that the horse teaches you.  Every horse has a different feel, a different energy.  Just like people.

I have always gone back to horses regardless of my job choice (including semi truck driver and bike mechanic).  I decided that horses needed to be full time in my life and I have trained professionally for the last 6 years and now have over 20 years experience with horses.  They humble me in every moment and I am still learning, as we all are. 

I could not imagine life without these great creatures and am fortunate to have a family that supports this passion.

My hopes are to incorporate the human side with the horse side through equine assisted therapies.  So often when I have taught lessons, people open up on their horses far more than they would away from them.  I thoroughly enjoy this and want to continue introducing people to horses.  One does not need to ride in order to experience the power of the horse.