About Us

I was introduced to Vaquero/Buckaroo Horsemanship when I met Dan Knuth in Chandler, Arizona. Intrigued by what I learned in the first month, you could say I became somewhat of an addict! If I was not at work, I was at the ranch practicing what I had learned, watching Dan give other people lessons or just simply spending time around horses. I continued to watch Dan as much as possible and practice everything that I learned or saw. It wasn't long before Dan noticed my desire and commitment to become a horseman. He was kind enough to take me under his wing as an apprentice and spend countless hours helping me with starting colts and refining my horsemanship skills. I spent countless hours riding with him, learning to start colts and work with troubled horses using these methods, and even working with Dan’s students from time to time.

Jessie was introduced to Natural Horsemanship as a young teenager, at age 14 she purchased a green-broke 9 year old Arabian, whose history, much like many horses who cross our paths, was far from good. She knew she needed to find another way to get with Skylark and get safe, which is when she was introduced to the Parrelli method of training which ultimately led her to find the Vaquero/Buckaroo style of horsemanship.

After graduating from high school in Oregon, Jessie moved to Arizona, where she met and began working with and Dan Knuth. There, she continued to study Vaquero/Buckaroo horsemanship, following the methods of such amazing horsemen as Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt, and later on Ricky Quinn Jr.

While in Arizona, Jessie earned her BFA in dance from Arizona State University. Through her education, she increased her knowledge of the human body and how it moves, which enhances her ability to teach students how to use their own bodies to communicate effectively with horses, both in and out of the saddle. No matter what your level or experience may be, Jessie will use what she has learned from the great horsemen, as well as her own experiences with many different horses and people, to help you communicate more effectively with your horse, creating the everlasting bond that every horseman desires.

After Dan retired Jessie and I continued seeking out help and knowledge from a few accomplished horseman of today, continuing to attend and ride in clinics of Buck Brannaman any chance that we can, most recently in Bend and Spannaway Wa in 2008. We have also had the opportunity to meet and ride with Ricky Quin Jr, an accomplished horseman who recently left his life on the ranch and set out on the road offering horsemanship clinics across the country. Jessie and I had the opportunity to spend a month on the road with Ricky, riding in his horsemanship, cow working and ranch roping clinics as well as starting colts with him on the road. This coming April 30 through May 3rd, we will be hosting a Foundation and Colt Starting Clinic with Ricky Quinn in the Portland Area! Don't miss it, it will be a great horsemanship experience.

For the past two years, Jessie and I have been working with troubled horses, starting colts and giving horsemanship lessons in Hillsboro, Or, just outside of Portland at Arcadia Farms. It is a small facility that is dedicated to the Buckaroo/Vaquero traditions and style of horsemanship. It is a great place for liked minded people to ride or for anyone interested in learning this style of horsemanship.

Through these experiences and this way of life my life has changed dramatically for the better because of the horse and what he has to offer us. These methods and traditions are not only about how to handle a horse, but they offer life lessons and life changing experiences. The journey is not the short easy one, of today's instant gratification society, but rather it is hard, rugged and long, with peaks of prosperity and valleys of despair. It truly takes grit, try, desire and the ability to change for the better, not only what you do, but maybe who you are to truly prosper. But the rewards are are endless both in life and horses.