Inside you will find insights and encouragement 
to take your riding to the next level:

Proven mental strategies for all riders for successful riding from the inside out. Discover solutions for those pesky, negative feelings that hold you back, like fear or a lack of self-confidence.

Riding and showing information for cutters to keep improving your skills. You will receive ongoing concepts to help you overcome your cutting challenges.

A vehicle for you to share practical tips that work. Blogs on the Home page, Personal Performance page, and Cutting page will give everyone the opportunity to share positive ideas with each other.

Encouragement for you to know you CAN overcome your challenges and live your dreams. This site is dedicated to providing those boosts for you.

I just returned from a marvelous celebration of my mom’s 90th birthday in St. Louis, Mo.

I grew up in Illinois, just across the river from St. Louis. I also grew up going to Cardinal baseball games. My mom definitely belongs to the Cardinal Nation!

Mom knows how to throw a party. Last Christmas she invited her entire family, plus special friends to a “party room” at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. It was some kind of party and a privilege to honor her.

Thank you, Mom!!!! It was a blast!

August is turning out to be a RED HOT month weather-wise in many places … so stay cool in body, mind and spirit!

Last weekend we went to the fourth of July parade in Independence, Texas.

Now, Independence, Texas is “technically” the tiny town where I live. As a huge stretch, you might say it’s a suburb of Brenham, Texas! (-:

Independence has a local color country store, a couple of houses in town, a gorgeous church, the Antique Rose Emporium (my personal fave), and of course, the July 4th parade.

I snapped this picture as the antique cars were making their way through the back streets during the parade. I love the people in this car. They are having too much fun! I want that gentleman’s cap!

I love the car, too. Cars certainly have a different look these days.

From extraordinary events in my life, to the antique car, I was led to the theme for this month’s newsletter … change … and the potential for great things to happen after big or small changes occur in our lives.

In my personal performance article you’ll read about a big change for me that’s happening right now.

The cutting article talks about how the tiniest change in the way you use your eyes, head, and neck can effect your ability to sit quietly (and not lean).

I want to share a very special date with you.

The 18th of this month marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of our son, Zane, from this world to a heavenly life.

I do not say this to make you sad. In fact, it’s just the opposite.

I want to encourage you that no matter how difficult anything in your life may seem, you too will survive … and if you so choose, you will grow exponentially in the process.

In the time since I temporarily said goodbye to Zane (because I will see him again), I have become enlightened about the role of loss in ALL of our lives.

My knowing (beyond belief), is that there is always an equal to or greater value gift waiting to be discovered, if we will only open to receive it. 

No matter how difficult any situation may seem to you now, you too will make it, and in due time, flourish … if you so choose.

If you lose a dear one, know they are cheering you on as you continue your life’s learning and your life’s work. And, that’s a great thing … to have your own personal cheerleader!

Here’s an update photo of Ruby.

She’s taking a drink from the little stone fountain in Zane’s garden early one morning. She has turned into a live, booty-shaking teddy bear!

Our horses and pets provide us all with so much joy and fun.

In this Personal Performance article, I talk about the incredible power for your riding in having fun and finding humor in all you do, even the tough stuff.

There’s a good laugh waiting for you! See if you can tell which one of those queenie kinda girls is me. (-;

Enjoy.

Meet the new love of our lives, Ruby!!!

She was THE biggest ham as she sat perfectly still and posed in the bluebonnets. Boy, she makes us smile!

She is an Australian Shepard puppy and a special gift from our friends, the Borchardt family (after our Cocker Spaniel, Chewie, left us unexpectedly).

After all these years in cutting, she is our first cow dog!

Spring has arrived in Texas and all the excitement that goes with it … baby colts, flowers, and a new puppy!

This month is the one year anniversary for our Newsletter. It is a joy to produce it. I appreciate Kristie in our office, who helps me pull it together, and all those who contribute photographs.

And of course, I appreciate you for subscribing.

Here’s to living our dreams and experiencing each day full of energy and positive expectations. Enjoy your horse. Enjoy each day. Go for it!

Thanks to my friend, Melinda Gamot, I just discovered:

If you like short, fun stories with a powerful message, you will love this book.

It’s a parable about using change in your life to catapult you into a new world of success and joy.

(Click book image for info. via Amazon)

This is not a new book, but it was new to me!! I liked it so much I want to share it with you.

If you have read it, please post your comments.

If you decide to read it soon, let us know what you think about it when you’re done by posting your comments here.

The Olympics always inspire us. The passion … the belief in ourselves … the putting it all on the line … the striving to achieve a dream … are all key not only to Olympic level success, but to our ability to stay energized and move forward, too.

So, in the spirit of having fun and being inspired, I have included some fun video clips for your inner ignition. Enjoy!

Note: Please click photos below to view video

I enjoy Valentine’s Day because it evokes the best of the best feelings … LOVE. How great it is to celebrate all the people, great animals, and good fortune in our lives.

And celebrating others is a great way for you to feel good, too. During February try this idea … share the love!

Each morning, plan how you will express your caring to someone in a small but kind way. Give a compliment. Spend some time. Make a phone call. Write a thank you note. The best part is you will feel so good doing a little something extraordinary for someone else each day this month.

I chose this picture of roses because I LOVE ROSES! Our Texas yard has over 60 bushes. Pink roses are one of my favorites. They are very soothing to me and make me smile.

(Guys, you can never go wrong by giving a girl roses!)

I hope you have a great month sharing the love and riding your horse.

Most years during the Christmas holidays my husband and I take a trip to a beautiful place to renew ourselves. This past season we ventured to Washington state where we lived early in our marriage. We visited a bustling Seattle, saw bald eagles as we drove over the Cascade Mountains, visited dear friends, and stayed in a high mountain lodge just east of North Cascade National Park.

It was a wonderful time of ease and reflection about our blessings and our future dreams. This photograph, taken as we departed our lodge, seemed to perfectly symbolize all of our lives. Our roads are winding. There’s always a light of promise amid all the peaks and valleys.

Instead of the usual New Year’s resolutions, I invite you to be grateful for the present and get excited about the future. Ponder what you truly love. Let your passions and personal dreams guide your decisions as you embark on this new year.