Family Photo right to left Larrison, Jake, Ashley, and Husband in the back Larry Don Stevens along with my dogs Daisy and Duke.

" My Daughter Ashley, and I"

  -- My Story --

I was 18 years old when a friend arranged a horse for me to ride at my very first barrel racing clinic.  I was so excited I couldn't sleep the night before, this was one step closer to my dream of being a real NFR finalist running with my perfect horse through the clover leaf pattern with my fancy western blouse and new wranglers; bought just for that event. 

However, it became the most depressing day of my life.  As I took my turn around the barrels on a borrowed horse finishing my run and feeling ... for a fleeting second I was on my way to "stardom". Suddenly a lady grabbed the reins and told me to get off! I wasn't sure why, another woman told me to go home and not to come back till I learned how to ride. Well, my dreams were shot down in a moment, I was told I couldn't ride. Tears ran fast down my face that didn't stop for weeks ... three weeks to be exact.

Then it hit me, all I needed is the right kind of help! I realized what I needed was someone to tell me if my saddle was in the right spot, if my stirrups were the right length and to bring out the passion I have for horses in a positive way and help me to communicate with my horse.

I knew I had to find a trainer. While searching an ad caught my eye it had a Christian emblem in the corner, surly this was the trainer for me.  This trainer would make sure I was never laughed at again.  So, I set out to earn the $3,000 it took to meet this trainer for one week. 

I took my rust on red pickup I got for $900 and my two tone green straight load trailer for a real deal of $800. Wow, I was set for Yakima Washington with my fine ex-race horse Coco, that of course wouldn't load in less than three hours ... after you finally caught her.

The man I went to see kept walking by and never once mentioned my saddle or the length of my stirrups.  Mr. Lyons just kept teaching me silly things like "Giving to the Bit" and the '"Calm down cue".  This was great but I really didn't care if I could pick up on the left rein and make the right front foot move anywhere.  As the week went on I learned how to teach a horse to load, now that was cool. My horse's attitude was miraculously changing with every lesson John Lyons gave us.  By the time I went home my horse loaded in less than ten minutes, she also side passed, and backed up willingly ... we were becoming "partners"! I honestly didn't know you could teach a horse with such trust and gentle persuasion.  I was hooked!  This training was fun.

I studdied John’s books and videos until they made sense to me.  Soon people asked me to help them with their horses and offered to pay me.  Wow, that got my attention "pay me" I could actually earn money.  I was now driven to continue my education with horses and knew this was my passion. I signed up for John Lyons certification program and graduated.

I'm currently a full time horse trainer working with horse and rider helping them to understand their horse; passing on my knowledge with gentle persuasion and trust.

Thanks for reading,
Stacia