I was introduced to Vaquero/Buckaroo
Horsemanship when I met Dan Knuth in Chandler, Arizona. Intrigued by
what I learned in the first month, you could say I became somewhat
of an addict! If I was not at work, I was at the ranch practicing
what I had learned, watching Dan give other people lessons or just
simply spending time around horses. I continued to watch Dan as much
as possible and practice everything that I learned or saw. It wasn't
long before Dan noticed my desire and commitment to become a
horseman. He was kind enough to take me under his wing as an
apprentice and spend countless hours helping me with starting colts
and refining my horsemanship skills. I spent countless hours riding
with him, learning to start colts and work with troubled horses
using these methods, and even working with Dan’s students from time
to time.
Jessie was introduced to Natural
Horsemanship as a young teenager, at age 14 she purchased a
green-broke 9 year old Arabian, whose history, much like many horses
who cross our paths, was far from good. She knew she needed to find
another way to get with Skylark and get safe, which is when she was
introduced to the Parrelli method of training which ultimately led
her to find the Vaquero/Buckaroo style of horsemanship.
After graduating from high school in
Oregon, Jessie moved to Arizona, where she met and began working
with and Dan Knuth. There, she continued to study Vaquero/Buckaroo
horsemanship, following the methods of such amazing horsemen as Buck
Brannaman, Ray Hunt, and later on Ricky Quinn Jr.
While in Arizona, Jessie earned her BFA in
dance from Arizona State University. Through her education, she
increased her knowledge of the human body and how it moves, which
enhances her ability to teach students how to use their own bodies
to communicate effectively with horses, both in and out of the
saddle. No matter what your level or experience may be, Jessie will
use what she has learned from the great horsemen, as well as her own
experiences with many different horses and people, to help you
communicate more effectively with your horse, creating the
everlasting bond that every horseman desires.
After Dan retired Jessie and I
continued seeking out help and knowledge from a few accomplished
horseman of today, continuing to attend and ride in clinics of Buck
Brannaman any chance that we can, most recently in Bend and
Spannaway Wa in 2008. We have also had the opportunity to meet and
ride with Ricky Quin Jr, an accomplished horseman who recently left
his life on the ranch and set out on the road offering horsemanship
clinics across the country. Jessie and I had the opportunity to
spend a month on the road with Ricky, riding in his horsemanship,
cow working and ranch roping clinics as well as starting colts with
him on the road. This coming April 30 through May 3rd,
we will be hosting a Foundation and Colt Starting Clinic with Ricky
Quinn in the Portland Area! Don't miss it, it will be a great
horsemanship
experience
For the past two years, Jessie and I have been working with
troubled horses, starting colts and giving horsemanship lessons in
Hillsboro, Or, just outside of Portland at Arcadia Farms. It is a
small facility that is dedicated to the Buckaroo/Vaquero traditions
and style of horsemanship. It is a great place for liked minded
people to ride or for anyone interested in learning this style of
horsemanship.
Through these experiences and this way of
life my life has changed dramatically for the better because of the
horse and what he has to offer us. These methods and traditions are
not only about how to handle a horse, but they offer life lessons
and life changing experiences. The journey is not the short easy
one, of today's instant gratification society, but rather it is
hard, rugged and long, with peaks of prosperity and valleys of
despair. It truly takes grit, try, desire and the ability to change
for the better, not only what you do, but maybe who you are to truly
prosper. But the rewards are are endless both in life and
horse.
