An Introduction

     Launching this blog has actually been on my mind for many months. I often find myself searching the web for discussions of training problems, veterinary problems, even horse business problems. I am always thrilled to find a brave soul that has taken the time to post their experiences, solutions and wisdom. Horsemanship knowledge is very costly in every meaning of the word, at times gained by near death experience. And as one dear fellow trainer admitted, "there are many paths to Rome,"- an admission that often one trainer's methods of achieving a riding goal is completely different from another's and the only way to navigate is by personal experience.
     I have not always had a long term goal in mind with my horse business. I love horses. I love dressage and I love to jump anything and everything. I grew up in Pony Club so I feel like I have a decent background in horsemanship. But I was always the kid who never had enough money to buy a nice "packer" and take regular lessons. I survived riding whatever rogue animal was unwanted (usually an off-the-track thoroughbred), taking sporadic lessons and getting most of my education by the seat-of-my-pants while competing in eventing. I also never intended to work in the horse business. I thought I was too smart to end up in horses! Instead, I went to college to be a film maker. Unfortunately, (or fortunately) a brief return to my home state of Alabama after film school went awry when an old friend gave me a 6 year old off-the-track thoroughbred she couldn't sell. It wasn't long before I found myself making career decisions based on what was best for my horse.
      Riley was given to me in the summer of 1999. I don't think I officially called myself a horse "professional" until 2005 when my horse habit had expanded to owning 4 horses and I was leasing a barn and teaching lessons to keep everyone fed. Don't get me wrong, training horses is a dream lifestyle many days of the year; it will also almost drive you to bankruptcy, divorce, show you the underside of most people's character and generally make you feel like you are living on the edge of a cliff. My only comfort...? Filmmaking is another dream that wouldn't be any different!
      So here we are in late 2012. I currently operate 140 acres with 20 horses (at last count). My horse business has evolved from suburban lesson barn to a minimalist operation focused on training young horses for competition and sales. I still teach and train other people, but at this time the majority of my business is my horses.
     I have been very fortunate over the past several years to clinic and train with some of the best horseman of my lifetime including: Amy Tryon, J. Michael Plumb, and Buck Brannaman. I also continue to be educated by some of my mentors and peers in Alabama. I have acquired a barnfull of potential in horse flesh. As far as I can guess the future possibilities for me and my horses are limitless (as long as the money holds out and nobody goes lame...ha, ha, ha!). But what is my ultimate goal?
      Until this summer I had never really asked myself what I really wanted out of this adventure in horses. In July I competed a young horse I had started as a 2 year old at her first recognized event. The horse competed well, but more importantly, she oozed with potential for the highest levels of the sport. It was the first time that I had a sense that I really could accomplish anything with a talented horse that I trained from nothing. I had won plenty of ribbons prior to this, but I suddenly had the confidence in myself that I could accomplish any goal I set for myself that included a horse. Although, I am well aware of the pitfalls awaiting any ambitious rider, I believe that riding at an international level in the next 5 years is within my reach. So what's my goal? That's my goal! I intend to do everything within my power to achieve international competition (excluding sacrificing my family or marriage).
     Tune in... I plan on creating a chronicle of the entire process right here. And whatever fate has in store for me, at least I will have detailed the (near death) experiences along the way for the next guy to learn from!