Howdy, Partner!
orn and raised on the back of a horse in the Joseph Creek Canyon Country of NE Oregon. I moved cattle as a job, not for fun; but as I grew up in this lifestyle and country, I found myself enjoying the ride more and more each time. I had many childhood riding honors like 4-H court, “All-Around Horse Showman for many years; as well as judging, public speaking and FFA honors. I served as Queen of the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo court.
Growing up on a cattle ranch that raised Quarter/Arab crosses I saw the “boys break them horses”, and knew I wanted to be a trainer not a breaker. I attended Linn Benton Community College and received a degree in Applied Sciences with Horse Management as my major. I studied under the great instructors Jim Lucas and Gail Mann. I worked my way through college training and showings. Everything from the halter horses to the western pleasure and cutting horses, I learned something from them all. And I have NEVER STOPPED learning. Attending clinics and riding with those like Clinton Anderson, John Lyons, Julie Goodnight, and my all-time favorite Chris Cox.
After college, I returned to the east side of the state to be a member of the EOLS drill team and other drill teams. I have been living my dream as I help many others do the same in lessons, training, clinics and retreats. have trained and shown my own horses and clients’ horses to win titles in barrel racing, western pleasure, and trail. I have trained all around youth horses, rodeo court horses and all around “dream to own” horses. Finished in the top 25 in the National Trainers Challenge “Extreme Mustang Challenge” 100 trainers, 100 mustangs and 100 days start to finish. Being chosen out of over 180 applications for the “Extreme Cowboy Race” of Craig Cameron’s in 2008 I compete on a Chex mare, I had raised & trained before selling and getting back to prepare for that competition. In December 2011 I was honored by having one of my girls (2011 Miss Rodeo Oregon) I give lessons to be crowned as the 2012 Miss Rodeo America at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, she won the honor by winning many categories including horsemanship. In 2012 she returned the honor to me by putting in the NFR program that I was her riding instructor and she learned from me! I was so honored!
I stay busy with coaching drill team for local rodeo, being 4-H leader, a Judge/member of Miss Rodeo Oregon Association, a PNW 4-H Senior/Dad Potter judge and Mom to 2 amazing now adults who both grew up showing and being successful in the show ring/rodeo arena. My daughter Destiny~ my horse kid that always said she was going to take over the business is stepping up and now is assist trainer and co-operator of Dun the Right Way Horses-Custom Training. She is attending college to get her degree in Ag business and has held many titles with rodeo and has won many awards in 4H and in rodeo.
We offer clinics at the ranch/facility as well as travel to other ranches and facilities: We teach beginner to advanced horsemanship: from gaming to trail to pleasure. Ranch retreats offer a super time for women, couples, kids and more! We have cattle drive retreats, horsemanship retreats, and dream vacation with your horse retreats.
Our training of horses and people we truly understand that each horse and student have their own talents and personalities that should be encouraged during the learning process so that they can live their dreams to the fullest and have the wonderful experience they have dreamed of. We train for the individual horse and rider. Each horse is different, and each rider or family has different requirements from their horse, different skill levels and different horse ownership experience. We make it my mission to tailor our training program to fit the horse and owner.
Educate the Dreamers and let them ride their Dreams to the top!
I have spent most of my life riding horses, the rest of it I have wasted!
Vixen's resume
Equine trainer, judge, clinician
EXPERIENCE
2014- Present Mountain High Broncs and Bulls drill team coach. Coaching a group of young ladies together by their love of horses. We practice to develop our horsemanship skills, and perform precision drills for the Mountain High Broncs and Bulls rodeo.
2006-Present Miss Rodeo Oregon member, judge, trainer and clinician
Judging Rodeo Court competitions throughout the PNW (ID, WA, OR); teaching day, weekend and week long clinics as well as private lessons; instructor of horsemanship2005-Present Founder-Captain, ADD Team (Almost Dead Drill Team)
ADD Team is a group of women in the “over 30 crowd” tied together by their love of horses. We practice to develop our horsemanship skills, and perform precision drills for parades and rodeos2002-Present Senior/Dad Potter PNW certified 4-H Judge and Clinician
Judging 4-H and open shows throughout the PNW; providing clinics (day, weekend and week long) and private lessons2001-Present Founder-Operator, Changing Strides
Changing Strides is a Non-Profit Organization dedicated to horsemanship and personal well-being through youth camps, women‘s retreats, family outings and trainings. Our long-term goal is to provide an arena in Wallowa County for year-long, multi-purpose use.2001-2011 Leader, Star Riders 4-H Horse Club
Have worked with 20 youth to advance their horsemanship, set and achieve goals, and develop leadership.1995-Present Trainer/Owner, Dun the Right Way Horses & Custom Training
we stand two of our own stallions at our ranch, providing Quarter Horse foundation breeding with color! The colts we raise, train and sell are bred to fit all aspects of the equine industry. Training includes our own stock as well as outside horses and lessons on a scheduled basis. Horse boarding also provided.1994-2002 Trainer, JAC Ranch
Trained, conditioned and showed endurance and pleasure Arabians for JAC Ranch.2011- present Leader, Rusty Spurs 4H Club; working with boys and girls of all ages to help them advance their horsemanship to the levels that keep them safe and allow them to have fun.
2001-2008 Northern Idaho 4H horse Camp- Western & Gaming Instructor working with 6 to 10 groups daily of 10 to 15 youth and sometimes adults on riding skills with their horses during the week long camp.
2008- Goldendale, WA 4H Horse Camp- teaching western riding skills to all levels of youth with their horses.
2008- Women's Retreat at Dun the Right Way Horses Enterprise, Oregon 10 ladies from the PNW, teaching horsemanship in western, trail, and mounting shooting. Taking them on a trail ride and moving cattle.
2007- Extreme Mustang Makeover Fort Worth, TX. Took a 3 year old wild mustang in 100 days along with 100 other trainers and their horses, train my mustang, to be ridden and shown. We finished in the Top 15 in the In Hand Trail section, and the Top 25 in the complete competition. Featured in the Oregonian
2010- Living the Country Life Magazine- feature story on my training and ranch.
EDUCATION
2011 Road to the Horse Competition, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Observed well-known trainers Clinton Anderson and Chris Cox, and Pat Parrielle apply their techniques in a two-day expo of their training skills with un-started colts.
2007 Road to the Horse Competition, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Observed well-known trainers Clinton Anderson, Stacy Westfall, and Chris Cox apply their techniques in a two-day expo of their training skills with un-started colts
2004, 05 & 06 Clinton Anderson Clinics-Walkabout Tours
2004, 00, 98 John Lyons Clinics
2001/2003/2006/2008 Oregon 4-H Senior Judge Continuing Education, OSU Extension Service
Forums and trainings.1991-1993 Associates of Applied Science Animal Technology/Horse Management
Linn-Benton Community College Albany, Oregon
Judging a custom class at an Oregon County 4H fair