Background

I grew up in a quiet neighborhood in Damascus, Oregon. My first horse ride was on a large bay thoroughbred owned by a girl who lived down the street from us. I was 4 1/2. This was the start of my passion for horses. My dad bought me my first horse when I was 7. She was a 2-year-old 13.3h appaloosa mustang cross. Her name was Sugar Baby or Sugar for short. I learned a lot on this little gray pony. We did not compete in any events, but just had fun riding around our large pasture and on trails. I bought Katie when I was in 8th grade (I was 13 and she was 2). She was born in our pasture, but I missed seeing it by about a half hour. My friends and I would ride the two horses to the local Dairy Queen for ice cream during the summer. I use to teach the neighbor kids how to ride and care for horses with my two being good teachers. I sold Sugar my sophomore year of high school because I didn't ride her that much anymore. The people I sold her to had 3 small children. I taught Sugar and Katie everything they know and they have taught me everything I thought I knew. Katie and I have done everything together including trail riding, 4-H, dressage, eventing, hunters, jumpers, parades, and even college. When it is time to retire Katie from jumping, I plan on teaching her to drive and we may start competing in trail competition. She is a great all around horse who will do anything that's put before her. She has a great attitude and is great on trails and an excellent jumper. We ride western also, but don't compete in any events. Katie and I were part of the Horsemasters Hunt Club as well as riding for Clackamas Community College for two years before transferring to Oregon State University. While at OSU, we were part of the OSU Hunter Jumper Team for two years. I also taught horseback riding to kids ages 9-13 at the college's barn. Katie and I have been jumping since 1997 and have won many ribbons, medals, and other awards. I married the love of my life, Ryan, in September 2001. We just had our first child, Erika, in April 2008. I graduated from Oregon State University (Go Beavers!) in June 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Science and a minor in Equine Science. Katie and I along with my husband, daughter, and other animals now reside in Corvallis, Oregon.

Did I also mention that I am a model horse and animal collector? Well, I have 194 model horses, 3 mules, 3 donkeys, 1 hog, 1 pegasus, 4 unicorns, 4 cats, 5 dogs, a cow, 2 calves, and 2 bulls in my collection. Most of these are Breyer Models.

I am also the proud owner of some other lovely pets. I have a black cat named Gwen, an orange tabby cat named Vijay (VJ), and a brown Eastern Box Turtle named Chester. You can check out their pictures on my Other Pets page.