A few things you may or may not care to know about me:

~I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I try to live my life the way He intended and walk the path He created. Animals and music play a big role in this and my faith.
~I struggle with what my true vocation is. Honestly, who doesn’t? And life can deal some interesting cards.
~I am a 9^th generation Texan and 5th generation cattle rancher and yes, I am proud of that. I love this great state.
~I am an animal person. I have two horses and a dog. They make me a better human.
~My family and friends are my world.
~I am a self-proclaimed music junkie. I dig Texas, Red Dirt, Western, and Classic Country and Americana…and R&B…and Classical…and Gospel…Mariachi…Most of what I listen to does not fit in any one box. Go figure.
~I do not like to have my picture taken, but I LOVE to take photos and I secretly want people to like my photos. Most all photos on this site are taken by me.
~Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong generation. However, air conditioning sure is great.
~I love to cook and bake.
~I can not spell!…and my grammar can be rather sketchy. Please be gracious and forgive me my mistakes.

I love my job and career, do not get me wrong, but horses are my true passion. People ask me all the time why I did not turn horses into a career and a life. I made the conscious decision when I went off to school to study something that I both liked and would ensure me a good career, awarding me the freedom to follow my passion wherever it led. In my life, I have met a few people that turned their passion into their work and lost the love in the process. It was both visible and palpable. I also know people on the other side of that coin. People that have built a career from their passion and have not lost the love. This, I think, is rare. I did not want to lose the love, so I chose a different route. Was this the right choice? I do not know. You can bet on one thing, I will let you know when I learn the answer.

They say my love for horses began the moment I first saw one and it has only grown since. I was that kid that everyone knew as ‘that horse girl’ and I just never grew out of that ‘phase.’ I am probably more horse crazy now than I ever was. It stems from somewhere deep in my genes, I think. It courses through the very blood in my veins and is about much more than just riding.

My maternal grandmother.

My father’s side of the family.

My Grandmother.

My Grandmother with her pony, Pinto.

My Great Uncle took this photo of my Grandmother on her pony, Pinto. I just love it.

After much begging, my mother finally allowed me to start riding when I was about six years old. I have not turned back since. I started out for a couple of years showing Saddlebreds with my sister, the same way my mother and grandmother learned to ride. I only got 30 minutes a week, but I lived for that half hour. Since then I have done everything from trail riding and ranch work to jumping and dressage to barrels and poles to polo. So long as it is horses.

Smile. Heels down. You do not have to stand up that much when posting. You look so serious.

Hideaway

Smokey

My first year.

A little jumping.

Dressage clinic with Wolfgang May. I did my first flying change with him. I am apparently focusing very hard.

Dressage clinic with Wolfgang May.

Fresca, y palomino ‘heinz 57’ mare I had growing up. Here we are competing in western pleasure. She was not a western pleasure type horse!

Fresca, my palomino ‘heinz 57’ mare I had growing up. We were good at carrying the flag in the opening ceremony.

My family bought a farm in 1998. This is were we keep our horses and where I spend most of my weekends. Where I get close to the Lord. It was important for my parents to raise us as they were; spending as much time out in the country as possible. This has become a large part of who I am. What I love about working with horses is that each and every one I have worked with has taught me something, not only just about horses, but more importantly about myself and life in general. Collectively, they have taught me what it means to be a true horsewoman and a better human being.

When I went off to college, I was not able to bring a horse with me. Enter Cheetah. She was the best life decision I ever made. I can and do everything on her. She is my go to.

Yawn.

Stripes for days.

When I moved back home with my mare, I bred her to a PRE (Pura Raza Espanola/Pure Spanish Horse/Andalusian). The perfect thing to do while in grad school! My father would still beg to differ with me on that one even though he loves the booger of a horse that came out of the deal. She foaled in 2013 and gave me the best dun colt a gal could ask for. The second best life decision I ever made. His name is Manolito, I call him Lito.

Oh, boy!

I lied, there can be too much cuteness.

Love at first sight.

He has his mother’s ears!

These days I am just trying to figure out how to have my career and have time to do what I love. It has it’s challenges that I am sure many of you can relate to.