The first time I was sat atop a horse was with my mother, before I was born, just in view of the Trinity Alps. This, and all to follow, was set into motion two generations before me when my grandmother acquired her mighty steed, Pokey.

I would follow in the steps that came before me when my Shetland pony, Patches, plowed full force into my life. She carried me through my first AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference) ride. Our farthest distance traversed being 30 long sore miles, no thanks to my little hard seated western saddle, at 6 years old.

We competed in gymkhanas, obstacle challenges, parades, etc. earning many awards together. Once the inevitable of me outgrowing her had happened, it became the plan to teach the fury filled furball to pull a wagon. But life decided to through me a curve ball.

In 2015 I was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, cancer.

It began growing in my right shoulder, in my bone, and later spread to my lungs. My father described the MRI, of my right humerus, being akin to a tree shedding its bark. I underwent chemotherapy and radiation for a year as treatment. It was aggressive treatment, but it cleared me of cancer by 2016.

I was strictly advised not to ride any horses during this time. What did I do? I snuck onto Chief and proceeded to galivant through the woods. I was extremely weak and almost fully wheelchair bound, so I only rode Chief, as he is our most trusty steed. I also only rode him at most 5 times, I swear.

Once treatment was complete I surprised everyone with my Make a Wish. I decided I wanted to ride with William Shatner, captain Kirk from the original Star Trek. I know, call me old fashioned. His trainer and him provided me with the wonderful opportunity of gliding around an open arena on a well loved reining mare.

Thereafter I returned to my pony to begin her ground driving training. What a determined and stubborn little pony she was, but nonetheless, she was ready to pull a wagon in no time. Unfortunately within that time, that she was prepared to move onto pulling a wagon, she had passed away from old age. She was a loyal pony for a little girl and I’ll always remember as such.

From 2012 to 2019 I had competed in the California State Horseman’s Association royalty program. This is a spokesperson/ambassador title held by individuals that undergo a competition with multiple categories. A horsemanship test, written test, speech, and interview. It is similar to that of a rodeo queen. By 2019 I became the first individual to earn all three titles at state level.

It so happens that during my year as Junior Miss CSHA I was undergoing cancer treatment. This program was a major pillar in my motivation to keep going. My determination to represent showed when I attended the rodeo at Cow Palace in a wheelchair fully adorned in my sash and hat crown.

As I recovered from cancer treatment I continued many equine sports such as endurance, gymkhana, packing, advanced cross country trail riding, wagon/carriage training, etc.

In 2021 I worked at a little hidden gem tucked below the Trinity Alps, Coffee Creek Ranch. I trained horses, guided trail rides, instructed lessons, lead/assisted pack trips into the Trinity Alps, and etc. Unfortunately towards the end of the work season a wildfire had burnt the ranch down. After a couple months of recouperation, I moved on to create my own business in Weaverville.

I worked with over 100 clients/students in 2022. A grand start to a continually thriving horsemanship business.

A passion and skill I have developed, as an instructor, is that of adaptative learning (even having attended and completed the Cal Poly course '“Designing Equine Therapy Program for Individuals with Autism” held by Terri Jennings, in 2024.) Whether that be for physical or mental needs, or even both.

Many benefit from the mental and physical therapy of horses. A individual with cerebral palsy can build and refine their motor functions on a horse, of which has it’s own term called Hippotherapy. A individual on the spectrum can learn to ground themselves back into reality by focusing on the five senses while with a horse. Name three things that you feel, the fur of the horse between my finger tips, the saddle moving beneath me, and the movement of the horses legs shifting back and forth. Grounding can even help nervous individuals to focus on the task at hand rather than their anxiety.

While horsemanship lessons are a primary focus, I also work with retraining/training equines and or their owners. Being able to assist those that need patience, trust, and guidance to establish their confidence is skill and knowledge am privileged to posses, and I aim to continue sharing that privilege.

In the fall of 2022 I moved to Humboldt county and I now continue my work here.

it is of the utmost priority for me to train/instruct both rider and equine to have a solid and sustainable foundation. And to also achieve full confident independence.

My multi faceted past shapes my perspective and approach.