No college qualifications toward equines.

I grew up with horses and did everything required to take care of them; from riding them, to feeding, to mucking, to clean out their hooves, and, of course, loving them. I have not worked with them for almost 40 years, though.

I did what was referred to as "Play Day". It was not a rodeo, it was competition through obstacles, like barrel racing, pylons, and/or poles. My toughest competitor or myself always won the year all-around trophy. It was her or myself, never anyone else. Mandy, a paint, was my dream horse, and when I out grew her, I was crushed.

Our family had a number of varieties of horses. Our first was a Shetland Pony. She was stubborn! But we even had a rodeo bronco, trained mostly by my sister, who was also queen of the Stockyards at some point in the 80s.

I rode fully Western, though my daughter was being trained in dressage at a young age (she could not stick with it due to a foot issue she had). Dressage was very thorough in teaching how to ride to look pretty. Completely different style from how I grew up. I've got a LOT to learn still!

The Colleyville Riding Club (in Colleyville, Texas) was where I did the majority of my competition. Sadly, the last time I drove passed the property, it was a neighborhood. The Club was gone. Both of my sisters competed in high school at rodeos (we even brought our bronc to these rodeos), so I am familiar with the rodeo style through my sisters only.