About.I have a Bachelors in Animal Science with an emphasis in Equine Science from UW-River Falls. There I learned how to start colts, which placed a heavy emphasis on the philosophies of Ray Hunt. Ray Hunt visited River Falls not just once but twice during my 4 year stay at college. He came to do a week long Colt Starting and Horsemanship clinic both times. It was such an honor to have been able to spend so much time watching and learning from a legend. At River Falls, I also learned the fundamentals of Reining, Colt Starting and Retraining the Problem Horse from Larry Kasten and the fundamentals of Dressage from Sheila Shields. I do not believe in the use of gadgets and quick fix fads. I do not use draw reins, martingales, or tie downs. I believe in understanding how the horse learns and doing so with out harsh tactics. Fair but firm when necessary. I will not intimidate them. I will study them to see what makes them tick and help them live in our world as a useful horse citizen. I will help their owners understand their horse...this is the most important.
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I participated in 3 internships as Assistant Trainer: the first was at Spring Valley Farms in Newton, NJ specializing in the All-Around Appaloosa horse, the next at Lantz Performance Horses near Flint, MI with Matt Lantz who specializes in Reining Horses and the third at Diamond B Ranch with the legendary trainer Jack Brainard of Aubery TX who also specializes in Reining Horses. After college I worked at Sanders Arabians with Keith Sanders as Assistant Trainer, training Arabians for Class A shows and trail/family horses.
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I am often asked, "Who do you train like and then they rattle off all of the current clinicians" I always answer that I train horses like me because no one can duplicate another person. But I have studied and learned something from all of the trainers I have met and watched. I can take something away to use or not use. I have certainly seen things I would never do or can not physically do or just doesn't suit my personality. But I have seen a lot of good training from great trainers that is worth trying to duplicate. So the things I have learned are all wrapped up into me. And it has worked very well for me. I will forever be a student of the horse. The horse has taught me the most and I am still learning.
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My family and I currently own and operate a training facility near Brandon, WI where I start colts, retrain problem horses, give riding instruction and show. My Clients and I have earned numerous awards at IBHA, APHA, ARHA, WFQHA and WiFQHA breed shows as well as at IBHA World Show, ARHA World Show and WFQHA World Show. I have trained a wide variety of horse breeds for riding such as a Shire, Rocky Mountain horses, POA's, Saddlebreds, and Mustangs. In 2008, I precipitated in the Midwest Mustang Challenge and have since become involved with the Trainer Incentive Program through the Mustang Heritage Foundation. We also stand at stud IBHA Supreme Champion Stallion, Menominee Wind.
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Standing at Stud
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Menominee Wind
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son of Menominee Wind
