“Jean's History”

Jean has been riding since she was 6 years old and received her first horse when she was 10.  She has had extensive experience in a multitude of equine disciplines.  Her very early years were spent competing in NATRC (National American Trail Riding Council) competitions and riding as a member of the Danville Junior Horseman’s “DD” Drill Team.  She also spent many weekends riding in local hunter/jumper horse shows.  Later, in years after her two children had grown into their teens, she grew to love the competition and demanding commitment of conditioning and proper maintenance of the health and soundness of the horse required to pursue and succeed in endurance racing.

Endurance racing became an integral activity in her life that led her to twice completing the coveted Western States 100 Mile Ride, also known as “The Tevis.”
Her other passion was Three Day Eventing, which encompasses three different disciplines in one event, (cross country jumping, dressage, and stadium jumping) and is generally held over two or three days.  She has trained with Hans Mueller, Charles DeKunfy, Don Shaw and Jill Munro.
From 1990 to 2000, Jean was the facility instructor at Sycamore Grove Stables in Livermore and from
2000 to 2004 at a private facility also in Livermore.  Here are a few pictures of her students at that time:
Merry Sue
Marilyn
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Lysette
Jennifer (6 yrs old)
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Jean and her student Bonnie
on the trail at Sunol Regional
Park, near Pleasanton, Ca.
Always striving to learn more, Jean completed and received a Certificate of Graduation from the Level One Parelli “Partnership” Program of Natural Horsemanship in January 2000, and participated in clinics focusing on the Level Two “Harmony” Program.  These principals are an integral part of her lesson program.
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This is O.H. Pasionata (Phoebe), Jean’s Arabian mare, learning to put more trust in Jean.
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This photo shows Jean riding Phoebe on an endurance
ride in Nevada City, California, June 2000.
Having been a very active member in a local horseman’s club, the
Tri-Valley Trailblazers, since 1981, she has ridden extensively in all the
local, regional, and state parks and participates regularly in monthly club day
rides, play-days, clinics, and overnight camping, including high Sierra rides.
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Here, Jean is pictured riding with her daughter Katie at
Silver Lake, elevation 7,000 ft, near Carson Pass in California. (1999)
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Jean and Phoebe 2006
In 2006, Jean completed a Sally Swift Centered Riding course with Mary Fenton and, in 2007, with Tina Hutton.  She has personally been training with a certified instructor of Chris Cox for the past 4 years.  Chris was the 2007 and 2008 winner of the “Road to the Horse” colt starting competition in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Jean participated in a three day Advanced Riding Clinic with Chris in Feburary 2009 and continues to share her knowledge and skills she has learned from Chris Cox Horsemanship with her clients.