Let me introduce my "boys"

Outback Jack (aka Applejack) - 15 year old Appaloosa
Jack is the first horse I ever purchased in 1996 and I almost didn't. He was only 4 and he was an Appaloosa. Firstly I thought he was too young for my level of inexperience and secondly I had never heard any favourable comments about Appaloosas. At the time, a young apprentice working with Kevin Pole knew the horse and suggested Jack would be perfect for me and he was the nicest Appy he had ever ridden. So the next day I went out to meet Jack. There he was out in a pasture with a large group of horses and when the metal gate clanged, this head popped up as if to say "people". Jack came running over to us and gave me a nuzzle and I bought him on the spot. I wrote to the lady listed on his registration papers to say what a lovely horse he is and that I was very happy to have him. A few weeks later she came to Calgary and brought me baby photos of Jack and his mom and said Jack had been a delight since the moment he was born.

Turnabout Skeeter (aka Skeeterbug) - 9 year old Paint
Skeeterbug was a horse we went to check out for a friend of ours in 2005. Our Auntie Betty called to say her friends were selling lock, stock & barrel. A tri-coloured paint has always been my colour preference and there he was. I certainly didn't need another horse but Skeeter was so smooth to ride and I loved his colour. It was my b-day the next day so Gord had him delivered. He is not a terribly confident horse and it has been fun but also challenging at times, helping him overcome some of his troubles. At 16.1 his height was the biggest drawback for me - especially for mounting. Skeeter now stretches front and back legs out really wide to make it easier for me to get on - he's such a gentleman.

This is how it's done

Favorite Dream (aka Nugget) - 7 year old Quarter Horse
Nugget is the newest member of our family. A fellow we know bought him a couple of years ago because he always wanted a black horse. Nugget was great that first year but the following spring he refused to be bridled or ridden. His owner took him to a trainer and after two weeks she had still not bridled him and suggested he was dangerous and should be slaughtered. Nugget came to me and I started bridling him after a couple of days but he wouldn't let anyone else bridle him for another 3 weeks. He went on to have a very active summer and winter, cattle penning and lessons. This spring he exploded again and two more trainers said he is unpredictable and dangerous and should be slaughtered so as of June 2007, he is with me permanently. He truly is one of the nicest horses I've ever dealt with and I have never felt threatened or had any difficulty with him. He is beautiful and sweet and it is hard to imagine what the "professionals" may have done to instigate dangerous behaviour. Anyway, I'm glad they did.


Entwhistle Resistol (aka Magic) - 12 year old Quarter Horse
Magic is perfect - what can I say. He is actually Gord's horse and the bond between the two of them is very special. We went to Sundance Ranch in BC with a bunch of friends and Gord really admired Chris Johnson's horse - Magic. Chris is one of the Wrangler's at Sundance Ranch and he and his wife Uli are also friends. Well Chris and Gord struck a deal and Magic came to live with us in 2003.








Peppy San Poco (aka Peppy) - 23 year old Quarter Horse
Peppy is now retired but Gord rode him for more than 14 years. Peppy has been in the Stampede Parade several times and actually won an award one year as the best conditioned and groomed horse and he is still beautiful.

You can probably tell I'm no breed snob - love 'em all.

Tovie