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Like so many others, SCCR has changed my life. In fact, for me, I feel like SCCR fulfilled part of my destiny – something I’ve been working towards since I was about 7 years old. I saw the threat to horse populations very early on, and knew that I would someday play a role in their preservation. SCCR gave me that opportunity, and I was finally able to do something I have always felt destined to do. I don’t exactly remember how I heard about SCCR, but I know I quickly arranged a visit, and within hours of being on the property, I somehow knew it would be my home – it felt like it already was. Kris gave me permission to go play with some of the new horses, and I felt an immediate connection when I laid eyes on Izzy. I knew that she was going to play a huge role in my future, and I felt that I had always been destined to find her – our connection seemed to pre-exist our meeting. I had her trust within a day or two and put a halter on her on the 2nd day of my first 3-day visit to the ranch. From that point forward I felt this overwhelming bond with her. She was everything I’d ever dreamed of. For some reason, based on just that, Kris essentially held Izzy for me over the winter before I came back in the spring to live on the ranch. Once I pitched my tent by the river, in the Spring of 2018, my life became all about the rescue, Izzy and other horses (Rowan, Pip, Lily, Spartan, Stella… and a string of others). Among them, I found Leo. My connection with Izzy was like nothing I had ever experienced before. By the time I was ready to start getting on Izzy she was an All-Star with her groundwork. At Liberty, it was like the rope was still there. Once she was green-started we hit the trails, and Izzy was a phenomenal trail partner for 2 summers. In the third summer we started doing some equestrian work, and a little jumping over cross rails and such. It was immediately evident that she loved it and had natural talent, so I got Robyn Margoribanks involved in her training. Once Robyn started riding her, Izzy developed into a top-class equestrian mount. Her carriage and movement are stunning, and she does it all with enthusiasm. Most importantly though, Izzy is sweet and kind, and very personable. She loves a hug and will give one back. She comes to greet me at the gate every time, and when you lead her, you don’t even know she’s there. She is just with you. Then came Leo. Leo came in a wreck. He was nervous and largely untouchable. It took weeks to get a halter on him. Kris did it once when she was passing by while feeding, then I took over and started putting it on him every day. It took a couple months before I could groom his whole body, and several months more before I could pick up his feet. When I started him in the pen, I realized quickly that he was the most sensitive horse I had ever worked with. If you raised your hand 4 inches, he would go forward with vigor. If you took one step toward him, he would take one step back. If you moved too quickly, he would spook away from you. He wouldn’t let me on his right side for a long time. I knew right away that Leo would require patience in training and would likely be the most complicated horse I have ever worked with. Our connection grew overtime and trust was built. His sensitivity started working for us rather than against us. His groundwork has excellent and I’ve ridden him many times now, and his sensitivity is paying dividends. I officially adopted Leo in the spring of 2023. I like to think I’ve made an impact on saving the lives of a dozen or more horses, and finding them beautiful, loving homes. It’s Izzy and Leo that are my primary loves though, and the two I rescued with my own heart.
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