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After years 25 years of being out of the saddle and without horses in my life it's been nothing short of amazing to experience them again, especially to have them in my "backyard". In 2017 we were able to build a 3-stall barn on our 6-acre property in Sunol, CA. Our barn was a modular system designed by CastleBrook Barns out of Fontana, CA. We have been so pleased with their product. |
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In November of 2018, we had finally finished all of the construction necessary to properly house and care for horses - we needed more than a barn, we needed our paddocks and pasture space too. We have completely enjoyed the adjustment period of making time and finding the energy for feedings, cleaning stalls and grooming. And after almost a year, we finally came up with a name for our place; the name for our ranch comes from my first horse - Trapper John.
Cosmo
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Lilly Belle
Purchased May 2018
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Lilly Belle is an 8 year-old quarter horse and the first mare I've ever owned. Now, I fully appreciate just how different mares and geldings are and why every woman should experience a mare at least once in her life! Lilly is a trained team roping head horse, for me she is a ranch companion and trail riding horse. As we develop our property and I improve my riding space for lessons, I look forward to earnest western training with her again. |
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George
Adopted November 2018
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George is technically not my horse - he is our resident "retiree". After 22 years of competitive jumping, dressage and serving as one of the gentlest lesson horses I've ever known, George came to live out his later years at our ranch. He is a sizable 18.2 hands.
I learned much from riding George and nothing gives me greater pleasure than to give him the kind of retirement he deserves - one where he can be head of the herd, graze in pasture, and enjoy his greatest love...to roll and be dirty!! |
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Betty Boop
Purchased December 2019
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Betty Boop was acquired in December of 2019 as a Christmas present for our dear friend Emily Ennis. And a companion for both of our horses. She is an 8 year old miniature horse (not a pony). Her coloring is unique, it is called grulla, also known as gray or mouse dun. She has not white markings at all, her mane and tail are black. And in the winter, she is more like a great miniature wooly mammoth than miniature horse! |
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Checkers
Purchased February 2019
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Simply put, Betty Boop was lonely. Despite Lilly thinking that Betty was her "foal" (due to her small size and Lilly's maternal instincts), both George and Lilly were too raucous for Betty to run with. So came Checkers, a stall companion and running mate who had recently lost his sister with whom he had lived his entire life. |
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KT
Partnering since 2013
KT is owned by Billings Equestrian and he has been an incredibly faithful lesson horse and show partner to me for several years. As I work to learn the fundamentals of dressage, I often start with lessons on KT and then transfer my experience into lessons on Cosmo. KT has helped me cut my teeth at a number of multi-day shows. He is sweet, kind, hard working and a friend for life.
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My Childhood Horses
In the days before cell phone cameras, taking photos at our house was limited and consequently, I have precious few photos of my childhood horses. The lack of images is no reflection of my tremendous love, affection, and respect for each of the horses I was blessed to have in my life. They are forever cherished, remembered and missed. Left to right: Trapper John aka Trapper my first horse purchased when I was 8 years old; Mr. Marblecake aka Marbles who was my "winning" pony that parents got for me when I was 11, and Puzzle, who as an Appaloosa was a total misfit out fox hunting with Nashoba Valley Hunt, but for me he was the perfect calm and sweet riding companion.
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