When I was 13, I started taking english riding lessons at a hunter/jumper stable. I had to work all day cleaning stalls to pay for my lesson. When I turned 15 and my parents knew I really loved horses they bought me my first horse. An unstarted 3 year old thoroughbred off the the track. Boy was she pretty, but I remember not even being able to walk in her stall. Well, I spent every minute I could with her and ended up starting her myself. I wasn't afraid of anything, could ride her everywhere. But no one else could ride her. She didn't trust anyone and looking back now, see that I was just real lucky I didn't get hurt. She got struck by lightening when I was 19 and I went off to college.

Got out of horses all together getting my degree in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience, wanting to become a vet. Putting myself through college and bills piling up, I decided I didn't really want to go to school 5 more years, so I decided to look elsewhere. I got a job at the San Diego Zoo. What an awsome career, and went on to become a Senior Keeper of Carnivores. But toward the end, I had to chose between horses and work. My husband, whom I met during my zoo years, had never had horses. I had always told him of my times with my horse and he was intrigued. One day I came home from work and he had two horses, tack, and a trailer in the back yard. I told him he had no idea of how much time it takes to take care of horses. I taught him everything I knew about them. As time went on, he picked up Pat's book. We started Level 1 together and went to see Pat at a tour stop in 1998. And say no more, we were hooked! I thought I knew a lot about horses, but realized as I got into the program, I really didn't know anything about how horses think. I always made my horses do things whether they wanted to or not. The relationship was missing.

I met 5 star Instructor Dave Ellis early in my learning and he saw me through the first 3 levels. He is truely a mentor to me. I spent the last 4 summers at either Pagosa or La Cense, where I did my colt start class. Passed my Level 3 in 2003. In 2004, I became a one star instructor, last summer I got my two stars and continued to teach Level 1 and Level 2. After returning from another wondererful summer this year at Pagosa with my third star, I am now teaching the levels and able to assess to Level 2.

Loving every minute of time I spend teaching students and being with these amazing creatures. We have a few horses and have imprinted babies on our ranch here in Valley Center. The best part of this journey for me is the fact that my husband has just as much passion for horses as I do. He is currently working on his Level 3 and spends every moment he can with them and me. My journey has only begun.............Margit