This is my story :
I was lucky enough to grow up in a small town in East Texas with a family who was up for
pretty much anything. The Clark family was involved in LongHorn Cattle, horses, dogs and
pretty much anything else the children wanted. I was riding on the back of a horse with my
dad and uncle from the time I could hold on! When I was four, I began taking hunt seat
lessons with an area instructor. I call the next 5 years, "The Pony Years." These years were
littered with ponies destined for sainthood and then others destined for a hot eternity where
bad ponies go to die. Throughout the "pony years" I spent almost as much time getting
launched as I did actually on the ponies backs. I can hear my grandfather in my head now,
"Get back on, you're tougher than old boot leather. Don't let that pony buffalo you!" No one
seemed to concerned about me hitting the ground repeatedly, but they did make me wear a
helmet! Good call Mom! During the "pony years" the Holy Grail was being able to have a
ride on Dude or Blue. These were two Quarter Horses that my Uncle Doug used to make his
living as a working cowboy. You don't much come across horses like that! They worked
hard, and they were truly partners to my Uncle. I am sure that when they saw me coming
across the pasture on their day off their hearts sank. They took care of me anyway, after all,
that was part of their job too.
The next phase would be called "Finding my Way". My partner in this phase
was a Thoroughbred Mare named Grand Eska. My parents purchased her as
an unbroken 4 year old in 1995. Six months later, we moved to Cumming, GA.
This was a huge thing in my training and ultimately my career. I knew while
attending the 1996 Olympic games that Dressage was definetely the sport I
wanted to pursue. I began training with, and ultimately becoming a working
student for Pam Bancker Lifton, USDF Certified Instructor Long Listed for the
1992 Olympic Games. Eska and I had great success showing at Training,
First,a nd Second Levels. As will happen, though, we experienced a roadblock
when Eska broke her coffin bone in 1999. I was able to show horses that
belonged to the Liftons during this time, and we bred Eska to Gold Luck which
was also an amazing experience. After, "Calliope" was born, I put Eska back
to work and we successfully started showing Second and Third Level only to
be struck by tragedy again! Eska fractured her Navicular Bone! When this
happened it hit me very hard. I lost some of my faith in the world. I had been
running my training business over the last couple of years, and I had made the
decision that I would step back from Dressage. I morphed my business from a
dressage business into a baby starting business. The time away was good for
me! I love young horses, and I had the opportunity to start show horses of all
breeds and disciplines. In 2003, I returned to dressage. I was enthused and
excited about my return!
was a Thoroughbred Mare named Grand Eska. My parents purchased her as
an unbroken 4 year old in 1995. Six months later, we moved to Cumming, GA.
This was a huge thing in my training and ultimately my career. I knew while
attending the 1996 Olympic games that Dressage was definetely the sport I
wanted to pursue. I began training with, and ultimately becoming a working
student for Pam Bancker Lifton, USDF Certified Instructor Long Listed for the
1992 Olympic Games. Eska and I had great success showing at Training,
First,a nd Second Levels. As will happen, though, we experienced a roadblock
when Eska broke her coffin bone in 1999. I was able to show horses that
belonged to the Liftons during this time, and we bred Eska to Gold Luck which
was also an amazing experience. After, "Calliope" was born, I put Eska back
to work and we successfully started showing Second and Third Level only to
be struck by tragedy again! Eska fractured her Navicular Bone! When this
happened it hit me very hard. I lost some of my faith in the world. I had been
running my training business over the last couple of years, and I had made the
decision that I would step back from Dressage. I morphed my business from a
dressage business into a baby starting business. The time away was good for
me! I love young horses, and I had the opportunity to start show horses of all
breeds and disciplines. In 2003, I returned to dressage. I was enthused and
excited about my return!
I would call the next phase "Reaching for Success". Over that period
I had the opportunity to work with great horses and people! There
were so many people and horses that to include them all in this story
of my history would be impossible. Myself and my students had
success in both training and showing during this time period!
I had the opportunity to work with great horses and people! There
were so many people and horses that to include them all in this story
of my history would be impossible. Myself and my students had
success in both training and showing during this time period!
| In the winter of 2006, I decided to purchase Blue from the Wyatts. They made sure to work with me so that I was able to have him as my own. It was a great move for me to have a nice horse of my own to ride and show. After a very successful 2007 both in and out of the show arena, we are looking forward to an incredible 2008! Therese and I have formed a joint venture, Shared Dreams Farm, so that I can step into the incredible business opportunity that Jules Anderson has left for me. I am ready for this step in my career. I am confident in my skills as an FEI rider and trainer. My goals from here are to train happy, successful Grand Prix horses and riders, while actively pursueing my dream of representing the USA in International Dressage Competition. |
In 2005, I was introduced to Therese Wyatt, through my customer and
friend LuAnn German. Therese began taking lessons, and then she gave
me an opportunity to ride her daughters talented but badly behaved 3 year
old Oldenburg, Rhythmic Blues. Therese believed in me, and she gave me
the room I needed to turn Blue into a successful show horse.
Then in the summer of 2006, I attended the AHA Youth National
Championships in Albuquerque, NM with clients Brooke McGuffey on Oh
My Ghazi and Megan Gilker on JAG Cafe Au Lait. Megan and Cafe went on
to win the First Level National Championship, and a Top Ten at Training
Level. Brooke and Ghazi went on to win a Top Ten in both Training and
First Level. This was a huge day in my career because I had trained both
of these horses from rocky beginnings. I came home on the high of
victory!!
When I returned home, Therese introduced me to Jules Anderson who
would go on to be a huge influence in my career! Jules approached me
and told me that she had a horse in her barn who was available for lease,
and with some hard work I could earn my Silver Medal on her. I talked it
over with my boyfriend, Derek Perry, and we decided it was something I
needed to do, and that we would figure out how to bank roll it. We did! I
earned my Silver Medal, and I met an amazing friend and mentor in the
process. Jules has driven me harder than anyone I have ever known, and
she has also been the most supportive through out the hard times. Jules
is truly one of a kind.
friend LuAnn German. Therese began taking lessons, and then she gave
me an opportunity to ride her daughters talented but badly behaved 3 year
old Oldenburg, Rhythmic Blues. Therese believed in me, and she gave me
the room I needed to turn Blue into a successful show horse.
Then in the summer of 2006, I attended the AHA Youth National
Championships in Albuquerque, NM with clients Brooke McGuffey on Oh
My Ghazi and Megan Gilker on JAG Cafe Au Lait. Megan and Cafe went on
to win the First Level National Championship, and a Top Ten at Training
Level. Brooke and Ghazi went on to win a Top Ten in both Training and
First Level. This was a huge day in my career because I had trained both
of these horses from rocky beginnings. I came home on the high of
victory!!
When I returned home, Therese introduced me to Jules Anderson who
would go on to be a huge influence in my career! Jules approached me
and told me that she had a horse in her barn who was available for lease,
and with some hard work I could earn my Silver Medal on her. I talked it
over with my boyfriend, Derek Perry, and we decided it was something I
needed to do, and that we would figure out how to bank roll it. We did! I
earned my Silver Medal, and I met an amazing friend and mentor in the
process. Jules has driven me harder than anyone I have ever known, and
she has also been the most supportive through out the hard times. Jules
is truly one of a kind.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
From the "Pony Years" I moved on to "My First Love." My parents bought
Grey, a 12 year old Quarter Horse gelding, for me to do whatever western
event might tickle my fancy. Barrel Racing, goat tying, games, 4-H, roping
perhaps... the possibilities were endless! About a year and a half after I got
Grey, my family moved to Sioux Falls, SD. English was the thing to do at my
new barn. So, I decided that Grey and I would follow suit. I am sure that Grey
thought I had lost my mind, but he always went along with me regardless!
With the help of local trainers, Alicia Richards and Elaine Marion, Grey and I
became a force to be reckoned with. We were successful in 4-H, local hunter
shows, dressage and even Novice Level Eventing. With Grey I was given the
opportunity to explore many disciplines and possibilities! Unfortunately, at
the height of our success an old injury began to plague my best friend, Grey.
We were forced to rest him and retire him from competition. In 2004, at 24
years of age, Grey died suddenly of a heart attack. A little piece of me died
that day.
Grey, a 12 year old Quarter Horse gelding, for me to do whatever western
event might tickle my fancy. Barrel Racing, goat tying, games, 4-H, roping
perhaps... the possibilities were endless! About a year and a half after I got
Grey, my family moved to Sioux Falls, SD. English was the thing to do at my
new barn. So, I decided that Grey and I would follow suit. I am sure that Grey
thought I had lost my mind, but he always went along with me regardless!
With the help of local trainers, Alicia Richards and Elaine Marion, Grey and I
became a force to be reckoned with. We were successful in 4-H, local hunter
shows, dressage and even Novice Level Eventing. With Grey I was given the
opportunity to explore many disciplines and possibilities! Unfortunately, at
the height of our success an old injury began to plague my best friend, Grey.
We were forced to rest him and retire him from competition. In 2004, at 24
years of age, Grey died suddenly of a heart attack. A little piece of me died
that day.
