I grew up in Hillsdale, Mi either living or working on dairy farms. The only horse I saw during that time was a neighbor’s pony which I rode once. Various sports through high school always kept me busy and as far as I knew the only talented horses were draft horses that pulled in contests at the fair grounds.

About 13 years ago, my wife Suzy and I thought acouple of horses for trail riding would be fun. We took a few lessons at the local stables where we saw our first dressage and jumping on those English saddles. Within 2 months, we each had our first horse. I purchases a bay throughbred Irish for dressage and jumping.

He mostly dumped me for the first month or so but I got lucky and always landed without injury so I kept trying. He ended up being a good event horse which we did for several years before age got the best of him.

My next horse was Burke, an 18.l hand Clysdale/TB cross. Burke had continual lameness problems which ended any serious riding. He still lives with us as the happy master of the herd.

I then spent a year without a horse to ride,, during which time I was accepted as a student of Sharon’s. Jim and Sharon and the other riders introduced a new level of the art which started a more serious phase in my riding. Lessons on Wagg the infamous lesson horse taught me new dressage movements. I still think fondly of my summer on him. Searching for 6 months finally pointed to Kentucky and my first real dressage horse. Dillinger and I had four great years together that enhanced my desire to ride well.

Next I got the bright idea of buying an unbroken Holsteiner that Tracy Rowe had found in her travels. Cauthioned by Jim and Sharon as to the willingness of a green horse that might be set in his ways, it did not matter- I just had to have him. Mirage has been under saddle 1.5 years . When Sharon started him she said it would require alot of patience. I thought she meant several weeks-I wasn’t prepared for several years! My trainer thinks he’s strong enough to make it to the upper levels-the rider just needs to find a way to follow him there.