How I got started: I wanted to train horses from the time I can remember and never got an opportunity to ride until I was 13. I rode horses through high school. The first time I saw cutting I thought it was unique and amazing, that a horse could be so mentally focused on another animal with a loose rein. I went and worked for Larry Reeder in 1980 for three and half years. Then I worked for Lindy Burch, who was my mentor, for a year and went out on my own.
Biggest mistake I’ve made in cutting: When you’re young, you tend to shoot from the hip instead of planning…If I had to do over again, I would plan my finances much better and I would say that to all young trainers.
Biggest myth about cutting: That they are not considered very smart animals. Cutting horses are extremely intelligent. They are expected to out-think another animal while listening or not (depending on the circumstances) to the animal on their backs.
Favorite quote: “Of all the equine disciplines, the cutting horse is the most amazing and intelligent of all.” – Kathy Daughn
Most memorable moment in cutting: Winning both my NCHA Futurity championships, but probably the second one more because I was older and I had a greater appreciation of the whole training and breeding process that had gone into it.
Training philosophy: It’s about developing a horse’s natural talent and/or athletic ability and nurturing their innate ability to work and think about another animal. My job is to figure out how to best do that.
