6) I would imagine that in some
cases, you might get to know a
horse even better than the owners do. Do you share with them
your insights into particular
horses’ personalities?
Of course, I am with the horses constantly
so I get to know their personalities extremely
well so I share as much as possible with the
client as they typically only get to work with
the horse at the show. In a short amount of
time they have to figure out the training I
have done and acclimate to the changes in
the horse, so I try to share any insight and do
whatever I can to help them succeed.
8) W
hat was your favorite horse
show to attend so far?
Las Vegas by far. The facility was great because it was all in one building, you could
walk from your stalls right to the elevator and
head up to your room where you could view
the live show on your television! It was very
well run show and the staff did everything
they could to help us out. It was a great show
to socialize with clients and fellow exhibitors
because you never had to leave the facility.
There were plenty of food options and usually everyone went to dinner together! Not
to mention there were more spectators in
the stands watching because people staying
at the hotel could walk right down the hall
and watch the show.
10) What advice would you give
a young person who wants to
follow in your footsteps?
Work hard and take advice from everyone!
Training horses isn’t easy. It’s not a 9-5
job. You have to be up early, work all day
and then come home and your job still isn’t
done. The work on show horses is a constant
24/7. You have to be 110% dedicated to
your training, otherwise it is going to show
in your results. There is one quote that sums
me up fairly well: “Hard work beats talent
when talent doesn’t work hard”. I like to
think I do have talent, but I also work hard
at perfecting it!
9) D
o you enjoy halter and performance classes? And do you have
a favorite class?
7) L ooking back over all the horses
you have handled, tell us the
three or four that stole your
heart.
Every one of the horses I have worked with
have definitely found a spot in my heart,
but I would have to say the three that really
stood out to me would be Vista Del Valle’s
Catalina, Oak Bay Salsa Tomatillo and Vintage Farms Tuscan Tango. These three have
really developed me as a trainer and made
it very enjoyable to work with because they
have so much try and are always trying to
please.
I enjoy both halter and driving, but what really sets certain classes apart for me depends
on the horse I’m showing. If the horse loves
to drive and gives it his all in the ring it makes
it so much more enjoyable. The same goes
for a halter class. Some horses just have a
burn and are always “ON” which makes it
fun to show them.
O ctober / N o v ember 2015
Miniature Horse World 91