"Espy Ala Docious"

This is Espy Ala Docious (aka "Al"). He is a 10 year-old, 16.2 hh Thoroughbred. He is just a total love! If he could sit in your lap and curl up, he would! I got him so I could show him in side saddle and so my 11 year-old daughter could move up from the pony divisions to the horse divisions. He had never been ridden side saddle nor on trails, but he has stepped up to both very quickly. Al and my daughter showed at the USET in side saddle beginner division and took Champion in his first full week of working side saddle!! He is just a dream come true for me...a friendly face at the barn, a buddy for life, a super partner on the trails and in the ring...what more could I ask for?!

"Aladar's Satin Secret"

Our 9 year-old paint mare Aladar's Satin Secret and our 1 year-old miniature gelding Minis R Us Lil' Gem sharing a rest. Secret is registered with the APHA and Gem is double-registered in AMHA and AMHR. Secret is a big gentle giant, and loves our miniature horses. Due to such an enormous size difference we keep them in adjoining pastures, not together. Secret is the perfect trail horse for us and soon we hope to start driving our miniatures. For now I take long walks with them and we get a lot of attention!

"La Victoria "

La Victoria is a purebred grulla California Vaquero Horse. This rare horse's ancestors helped to found our great state of California when the Spaniards built the mission chains beginning in 1769 in San Diego and going all the way up to San Francisco. They are an old Iberian breed and are so rare that they are on the verge of extinction. La Victoria is ridden in dressage and is my trail partner. She also is an amazing mother, and is going on her fifth foal. The foal will be a purebred California Vaquero Horse and will hopefully be a breeding quality horse that will help continue this historical breed's legacy.

"Maggie"

My Haflinger's name is Margarita RAH (Maggie for short). Maggie is so special to me because she is helping me get my confidence and riding legs back again. I did a horseback therapy program for disabled children for 30 years and since I retired, I wanted to just have fun on horseback after all those years of helping others with a riding experience. When my last therapy horse died two years ago, I needed a break but horses get into your heart and when it was time to get back into them, I found Maggie, as I have wanted a Haflinger for 20 years. We trail ride all over the Sierra Nevada Mountains and wade through Washoe Lake. When I get tired of riding, I can hitch her up and drive her. She's the best pony!

"Polly"

My horse is named Crown Cosmopolitian, but I call her Polly for short. She is a 24 year-old Morgan and my best friend. She is the first horse I have owned and I love her more than anything! I have ridden her western, but she excels in huntseat. Polly and I ride out around my friend's property, bareback with nothing but a halter; I know that I am safe on Polly because she is as steady as they come and wise enough to know that I'm on her back.

"Rex"

Rex is an 8 yr-old Quarter/Appy gelding. He is a clown as you can see! Rex came to me after having 6 homes in a year and with A LOT OF ISSUES! He trusted no one and would rather kick you than look at you! My Cousin Emily contacted me one day wanting a horse to mess with and I laughed and said, "I have the perfect one!" Emily and Rex have bonded on the ground and under saddle. With Rex's trust in Emily and willing to learn along with Emily's patience they have become buddies!

"Sugar Maple"

This is 15 year-old "Shadowood's Sugar Maple". I purchased "Sug" for $300 as a wild, unhandled 3 year-old who was only two weeks away from being sent to a killer sale. My daughter did all of his training, (starting when she was 8 years old), and the two of them have won Champion or Reserve in every single local show over a 5 year span in English Pleasure, Pony Hunter, and Western Pleasure. "Sug" continued his winning ways with several other young ladies who took lessons with me. He has taught all of us many valuable and priceless life lessons. At 13.2 hands he has also cleared 3'9" oxers for my daughter in a high jump competition, and came in second to a horse. I have also rescued a daughter of his, Golden Aspen, and her two colts, Silver Willow and Snowy Pine. The two colts follow in their Grandpa's hoofsteps!