3D Ranch and Training

10/19/2026

Blind following... so and so said this trainer is the bee's knees. They win a lot, they must be good. But where are they winning? Is it consistent? Is it where YOU want to be winning? Do you know how they treat their animals? Do you respect their animal husbandry?

Today I was blessed to be able to run at a race at the last minute. I am in a pole slot race in a few weeks and honestly the horse I am running had one competitive run before today. But I have faith in her, she is a nice horse, but I would just like to run against the clock more before that big race. So after my son headed back to college today, I beelined it to a race to late enter in poles.

We ran at the end of the draw, which was just perfect. We were pushing the limits of what I would like for a complete warm up, but we checked most the boxes. And I know I run overly cautious, so I know me pushing MY limit is still well within taking care of my animals.

What is animal husbandry/care? Taking care of their needs, mental, physical and over all well-being. But what we need to focus on even more is putting the horse before our sport. Chasing cans, bending poles, all the speed events, we can't do that if we don't take care of our animals.

We were the last 5 to run tonight in poles. We were the very last, aside from one other trailer, to leave the grounds tonight (and not by a couple minues). I was barely untacked when the other trailers were pulling out. I ran, walked my horse out, in-hand at that (which is the norm for us), untacked, put poultice on legs, got the massage gun out, yes, gave some horse cookies, and took my time taking care of the animal that allowed me to go run fast and have fun.

ONE. ONE other trailer was there with me. And she was doing the same thing. Walking out, untacking, mudding legs, grooming, massage gun out.

We all know I am not out here to be the popular one. I don't give two sh*ts about my following, who is talking about me, what I am winning. I know I am far better at patterning than competing.

But when you see someone who is always brought up on social media as the end-all-be-all to training and lessons and they were gone before your tack was barely off.... how are they taking care of their animals? (I am NOT naming names, and this is not even necessarily about ONE person. I see it all the time.). If they don't have the respect for their animals, how much respect do you think they have for you?

Just because you can talk the talk and be charming... does it mean you are actually out there doing your best for the animal, the discipline, the up and comers?

I don't know. That's for you to answer. But as for me? I am going to take the time to take care of those who got me there and those who keep showing up. Even when I pull them unexpectedly out of their pen to go run some poles.

Don't just say you are for the animal not the sport. Actually SHOW you are out there putting your horse before the sport. Because if you don't take care of them each and every run, you might not have many more runs.

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09/24/2026

My little had a lesson last night. She was on Rosa again. Rosa girl had her ears up all night, trotting about as fast as she can all over the arena with her little girl having the time of her life. Did I mention my little was riding English for the first time? I thought for sure I was going to be dusting her little self off but nope, two menaces, high on pixie sticks and life. After, she dismounted, all on her own, and when I handed her the reins to walk back, Rosa grabbed a snack. In her biggest voice possible, she goes, "Maam! MAAAM! We don't DO THAT!". I about died. But she was right, no we do not eat with our bridle. She pulled on her reins and got her head up and marched right out the gate.

Y'all. If a 5 year old can make a full size (well, cutting bred full size anyway) horse behave and have manners, why can't everyone else?

She did not abuse her. She simply disciplined her with her voice and her reins and then carried on like nothing had happened. I trust a 5 year old with my horses more than I would most adults.

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09/11/2026

Classy was a bit spicy yesterday and well, when you’re just 5 you do get a bit of special treatment. Rosa “got the call” today. They were loping by the end. Get em cowgirl!

09/08/2026

I have one board or training spot open mid October.

08/25/2026

I don’t normally do rider spotlights for so many reasons. But when I do it’s usually for the mom who has spent years hauling her kids to lessons and shows and fairs and races with a smile on her face the whole time. MikelAnn isn’t the first rider I’ve had who has gone from mom to lesson rider but is the first to bring me a 3 year old to basically break and go on with. Her little gelding was here for 90 days and she has been diligently coming for lessons weekly since he went home. Last week she asked if she could go to a playday on him and I said go have fun! Just don’t expect much from a baby and make him behave. Not only did he behave he did patterns like a pro. Way to go MikelAnn! I’m proud of you!

08/20/2026

I am working with Collyn Holtcamp to have a pole bending clinic this fall at the house. If you have ever ran north of Seattle, she has probably beaten you silly on the pattern (maybe we should call it the "If you can't beat her, join her" clinic!

Here are the "most likelies":
*Fri afternoon - Sunday afternoon
*Clinic fees between $375-400
*10-15 rider spots available

If you are interested, please let me know. I will start a group chat and you will be the first to know when we have a date set.

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08/13/2026

Many of us can remember the excitement of county fair. The prep for it with bathing and packing the camper trailer and all the food we only got at fair. I was terrible and only practiced showmanship like two days before. One year I put in an extra day of effort and ended up in a tie for Grand. I believe there were 4 of us. We had an extra pattern to do and then had to switch horses and do all the things and trot on the off side. I was over the moon I was included in that. Older Me is like if you had put in effort every year you would have been there sooner lol but let's be honest, your girl put her efforts into her riding classes. That's one reason I push lesson kids so much to practice showmanship every day. I really grew to love showmanship after my 4-H years.

I remember when Western Gaming became a part of 4-H. I remember when, gasp, we had to start wearing helmets. It was the worst. Haha. I wore one without much fuss showing English because it was a part of the attire. But Lord have Mercy when we had to start wearing them when riding western. There was one time I was riding my Gaming horse in an English class. I was somehow the only senior and they combined my class with the Intermediates. We worked all summer to get a nice calm performance horse but when we got in that arena Nic lost his marbles and I excused myself from the class. I would have felt horrible if I had spooked some "little kids" horse.

I remember at one of the summer horse shows when my friend came over as I was unloading and said something like, "Oh man, you still brought her". Her being Goldy, my Ciscos Gold, palomino mare who taught me how to ride a rearing horse and how to push all the way down the line in poles and how to do the foo foo things in performance. I sure wish I appreciated her as much then as I do now. That girl was the epitome of all-around. Everyone loved her and a few probably hated her. She was even Top Horse in Halter one year which was such an honor.

Some of my old showing friends remember the last time they competed in county fair. I don't really. Maybe deep down I knew it wasn't the end and that it would always be a part of me. Or at least I hoped it would.

Now here we are at another Last County Fair. My son has done his last cat cage, his last vet check, his last check-in. And it's kind of funny because he has the cat in the barn that everyone loves. She has had her ups and downs. She doesn't rear up, 🤣, but she did get loose at vet check one year. She hates vacuums, even small quiet ones. But she has stepped in for other 4-H kids when their cats were just not having fair and was a model showmanship cat. She has won her share of "kitty halter" classes. She will sit on his lap in the cat barn with all the chaos that is county fair and purr the entire time. It's different but it's the same.

So if it's your first County Fair, just enjoy it. There were will be so many more. Maybe you do your best and get a Red. That's ok. You will have so many more opportunities. Maybe you do your best and get Grand. Enjoy it, but know while you were on point this time, there may be times when your horse refuses to stand square, misses that lope off departure right in front of the judge, or clips that last pole. If it's your last, enjoy it. Remember all the highs and all the lows and the laughs and even all the frustrations. Not everyone gets a chance to have these memories. They are special.

06/06/2026

New charges coming this summer! 🤣

06/05/2026

Ok, I going to give first dibs to those who follow this page for ground work or conditioning.

I will take one horse a month (or one horse for multiple months) for either ground work or conditioning (most horses will need more than one month to get "Lisa fit"). As always, horses are worked 5 days a week. Individual plans can be customized depending on what is needed. Unlike my regular training, weekly lessons are not required/included.

Horses for conditioning must be broke. Must be safe. I am not training on them per se, only getting them fit. I will see you ride the horse or recent videos of horse being ridden before committing.

Horses for ground training need to not be dangerous. I know, how much of a bind can you get in with ground work, but I have seen it and have dealt with it, that square is covered on my bingo card. Rehab, young ones needing work before getting started, horses who have had a lot of time off and just need to start burning calories... those are the target.

Shoot me a message if you are interested. I can accept one late June.

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05/27/2026

Just something I have been tossing around in my little head.... who would be interested if I offered strictly ground training? Ground manners, tying, lunging (with and without side reins), ground driving (with and without side reins), some desensitizing but I am not one to flood them with everything possible....

Have also tossed around just offering conditioning "training" as well. Horses would have to be broke, safe, no naughty habits. They would strictly be in to get fit. Possibly post-injury rehab but further along when they are able to be ridden.

Thoughts? Interest? Honestly, I am really struggling with lessons and cancellations (I know, everyone has what they feel is a very valid reason and some are) and I don't even want to advertise for board with how many crazies are out there anymore.

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