Like so many women riders today, I took to horses at an early age. I rode almost every day from the age of 4 until I was almost 14. I loved many types of riding: hunter jumper, fox hunting, gymkana, and trail riding and I got extensive training from Jimmy Williams at Flintridge Riding Club in La Cañada, CA.

Like so many other young riders, I stopped riding when I became a teenager. My life turned to other things: school, family, and business, but horses were always in the back of my mind.

When I was 42, while on a vacation in New Mexico, the family wanted to go for a horseback ride. There weren't enough saddles for the whole group so I volunteered to ride bareback and was surprised at how easily I fell back into a rhythm. We all had a wonderful time and my sister-in-law remarked that she had never seen me happier. By the time I got home, I had decided to look for my own horse. The kids were in or finished with school, business was doing well and I finally had the time. (Does any of this sound familiar?)

Living in Santa Ynez, California, I got the idea that I would enjoy Competitive Trail Riding. After searching for a couple of months I found and fell in love with Nemo, a black, full-blooded Arab. It wasn't long before I realized that I had bitten off more than I could chew. I was forced to admit that I wasn't a kid anymore. I hadn't ridden in nearly 30 years and I was a danger to myself and everyone I rode with.

I took Dennis Reese's Natural Horsemanship course, and quickly realized that just about everyone in these courses was in the same situation I was. 40 to 60 years old, kind of out-of-shape, and totally in love with horses. While most of the participants were happy to just become better riders, I became convinced that my path was to continue learning so I could help others in a professional capacity.

In the past 10 years, I have attended numerous other Natural Horsemanship clinics with some of the biggest names in the industry including Ray Hunt, Pat Parrelli, Buck Braniman, Brian Newbert, Steve Rother and Mitch & JoLinn Hoover. I am still motivated to learn at every opportunity.

I have learned a lot and have confidence in my abilities. I have worked with numerous clients that have had trouble trailer-loading and safely working their horses.

I wish you all the best and if there is ever anything I can do to help you, please contact me, lucinda@bentwireranch.com.

Happy Trails, Be Safe and Have Fun