05/19/2026
This is Kiss my streakin spirit, aka Trapper. He's our personal 5 year old. Every horse has their own time line. I bought this horse as a yearling from Carla Bryant. This was my first personal horse that was in incentives. I paid him up into breeders challenge and continued his Ruby buckle nomination.
I had goals in mind but just as a river changes over time, so did my goals, maybe not goals but my timelines. I didn't fight it, i tried my best not to get discouraged, I just went with the ebb and flow of the river. As a trainer, personal horses are always the last to be rode, trained or worked. I went through many life changes since acquiring this guy but still had him to keep my dream alive. Many will tell you everything happens for a reason.... what those reasons are we will most likely never know. What i can say for this guy is all this time has been good for him. The universe knew he needed it so the pieces were all in place for him. He was a slower maturing horse. He's coming into his own and figuring things out. He's sensitive sweet kind and wants to please. With the support of my wife, this horse is the start of my futurity and derby dreams. I look at this Pic amazed with where we are. Some people look at it and are amazed I'm riding but what I see is the old me..... light hands, sitting square, determination on my face.
This horse and I, we are right where we need to be. I'm grateful for him, grateful for my wife's never ending support and grateful that I'm getting to start at the beginning doing what I'm so passionate about. This may only be an exhibition pic but it is the start of something special.
When you think things are going awry, look for the signs the universe is giving you. I'm not saying to look for the silver lining.... life sometimes sucks and it's okay to feel emotions about it but I PROMISE, if you look, you will find the signs and see the direction, the path you are supposed to be on for you, your equine partners and your family.
