I grew up in the Imnaha Canyon near Joseph, Oregon and when I was at the young age of three, I was given my first horse. To my dismay I was told that I had to learn to ride my pony before I would be given a saddle. Not letting a few bruises and bloody lips alter "I'm not going to let anyone see me cry" image; I was a riding fool. I believe the time I spent on my horse is one of the warmest childhood memories. Sometimes I would ride horseback 5 miles so I could play with the nearest neighbor kid. Most of the time I would pack a lunch, get on my horse and explore the Hells Canyon area. My parents were horribly worried because I would be gone from sunup to sundown.
At the age of seven I received my first experience at training my very first horse. Later, at the age of 14 I got my first job training on a ranch on the Imnaha. Every year there is a famous "Imnaha Bear and Rattlesnake Feed." I decided to donate at least two rattlesnakes a day to the feed, ending up killing 120 rattlesnakes at the young age of 14.
I came from a family rich in rodeo history. My two great uncles' Eddie and Andy Curtis are both in the rodeo hall of fame. My dream someday is to be right along with them, and I feel I inherited the love of horses naturally. At the age of ten, I competed in my first rodeo. Winning a first place buckle got me hooked on the sport. Throughout my school years I competed in various rodeos and 4-H competitions. It had been a dream of mine to run for the 1990 Chief Joseph Days royalty, although I was extremely shy. I was elected princess on the very same horse I trained when I was seven.
After graduation I moved to Lewiston during the fall of 1990, searching for the profession that I could retire in. But moving from one work place to another wasn't filling a void in my life. For extra spending money each year I would sell a quality horse and realizing that people were quite pleased with the horses I was selling and training. My loving husband Brett, along with my family encouraged me to branch out on my own and train and sell horses. Working with horses all day has truly filled my days with satisfaction and fulfillment.
Learning many different techniques as possible has enhanced my training programs. I have worked with top cutting and reining trainers as far away as Edmonton Canada, Arizona, California and Nevada. I do possess an apprenticeship from Steve Wuerklund who is a John Lyons-certified trainer. The clinics I have attended were from Craig Cameron, Van Hargis, Ken McKnabb, and Clinton Anderson. I have mixed up a little bit of each one of these trainers with some goodies of my own to make up the training program hoping that you; the rider and horse owner can find valuable.
From my horse training, I pride myself upon making good solid trail horses. Brett and I live up on top of a canyon with miles and miles of steep terrain to ride. We ride straight up and down uneven ground through brush while sometimes spooking deer, flushing pheasants, turkey and yes, once in awhile, rattlesnakes.
Training a solid broke horse takes years to make. Let me put a good start on them for you. I am sure you won't be disappointed.
OUR FIRST MAGAZINE COVER!
WATCH ME IN ACTION!
 2007 |
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 2008 |
MY 2008 WINNING FREESTYLE VIDEO!
 2009 BCHI Colt Challenge |
 Me and my buddy Dave |
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| Some of the great people I've met | |
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| Rick Lamb |
Clinton Anderson |
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| Van Hargis |
Ken McKnabb |
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| Charles Wilhelm |
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| R.E. & Martha Josey |
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| Danny & Darla Ray "Victory
Farms" |
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| 3 Day Working Clinic with Chris Cox |
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| 3 Day Working Clinic |
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