Growing up around horses has given me the opportunity to experience different disciplines and breeds from hunt seat and western to saddle seat and driving. Having been involved with Arabian’s I’ve also shown Native Costume and Side Saddle. My time spent with Quarter Horse type breeds allowed me the chance to gain knowledge with western riding, trail and rodeo type performances including parades and special events. The saddle type horses including National Show Horses, Morgan’s, Saddlebred’s and Friesian’s offered many favorable combinations of circumstances to gain proficiency in riding and teaching saddleseat.
From the age of ten I showed western, english and gymkhana on several local circuits, garnering many year end awards and championships. As a teenager I had the opportunity to ride and learn from a very versatile trainer who had a mixed breed barn that showed in saddleseat, huntseat, western, trail and driving. It was during this period that I qualified two horses for the Appaloosa World Show and several Arabians for the National’s. We competed on the CPHA circuit, class “A” regional Arabian circuit and many of the local circuits. This was also a time when I had the chance to work with the late Wes Whetlcok breaking young colts to ride. During my late teen years I became involved in rodeo events ranging from barrel racing to team roping, parades opening ceremonies and special events. I was crowned Miss Rodeo Ramona and won several titles at the Sierra Circuit Pageant and was second runner up for Miss Rodeo California. These competitions taught me responsibility, challenged my riding skills and helped me to become a more accomplished rider.
I operated my own training and lesson business in Lakeside, CA. for a short period of time working and showing on the local circuits and teaching lessons. Many of my students won several year end awards during this time in western, trail and saddleseat. I worked several horses for saddle maker Dale Chavez whom went on to become trick horses and doubles for many Disney movies, including Zorro.
After my move to Point Loma in 1998 I worked for Anne Speck at Rancho Del Mar until 2005. She specializes in Saddlebred’s, Morgan’s and Hackney’s. Her full service training barn and academy program offered many occasion’s for riding and breaking young horses to finished show horses and a full lesson schedule, teaching beginners through advanced riders. Competing on a national level we traveled throughout California, Arizona, Oklahoma, Kansas City, MO. and Louisville Kentucky. Many of the riders whom I had the chance to be involved with went on to win National titles at the Morgan Grand National’s, the World’s Championship Horseshow for Saddlebred’s in Kentucky and the Saddlebred Pleasure Finals in Indianapolis, Indiana. One of the riders was also accepted to the World Cup Team who competed for a medal in South Africa just recently and brought home the Gold. Two of the horses I was directly involved with won World Championship titles at the Morgan Grand National’s the same year.
While I’ve loved the experience of showing, my true love is working young and inexperienced horses and teaching riders of all ages, disciplines and levels. Whether it is the confidence to hit the trail or the understanding of figure work, it all presents opportunities for growth and development. My patience and understanding have allowed myself, my horses and my riders to become far more than they ever imagined. I pride myself on safety and creating the best scenario for horse and rider to succeed. I incorporate several different training methods and offer a wide variety of programs that will suit most everyone’s needs and wants.
My recent involvement with the Rancho Riding Club is second to none. It is a beautiful and pristine facility that is managed impeccably. The access to the trail system is absolutely wonderful with miles of well maintained trails. The riding club members are a friendly, outgoing group of horse lover’s who all share one thing in common and that is a true love for horses and riding.
I hope you are satisfied with your tour of the Rancho Riding Club and my brief introduction.
