I got my start in Walking Horses when I was boarding my Appy mare while I was living in Central Alberta with a Tennessee Walking Horse breeder ten years ago.  I was so impressed with their quiet temperament and gentle way that I had to ride one.  Well that was all the hook I needed.  I had always wanted to raise horses, but none of the other breeds looked feasible.  Now I had found a breed that I just loved.  When my husband and I move back up to the family ranch it was with Top O'the Mornin' and her baby filly Glory.  The next year we purchased our stallion - Allen's Midnight Rascal.  We've built up our herd very carefully and slowly, most of the horses being born here, and myself doing all the training, right from imprinting at birth to riding.

Over the years I've taken many training courses, some on general training, and some specifically geared toward Walking Horses, educating myself on gaiting.  I now train all our horses using a combination of natural horsemanship styles that suit each horse's specific needs.  We've used our horses for a variety of purposes, mostly to move cattle and trail riding and as time permits, showing. It basically doesn't matter what you want to use your Walking horse for, a quiet, well mannered and trained horse can carry you to what ever is your pleasure in comfort and style.
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My stallion, Rascal carries many of the old, great walking horses in his pedigree, thus fulfilling my aim of breeding naturally gaited walking horses.

Training is available to a limited number of horses, and my specialty is working
with the young ones: weanlings to 2 - 3 year old with advanced ground work.

Debbie came for a rebreed to one of her mares. I talked her into going for a
ride with me and gave her my mare Top O'the Mornin'. I knew Mornin' would
give her a safe and comfortable ride. Well, Mornin' impressed her so much that
Debbie asked if she was for sale.  I said I would have to give it some thought as
Mornin' was my first TWH and was much loved. Debbie came over and rode her
several more times and I could see that they were meant for each other. After
attending the BLESS clinic, Mornin' went home with Debbie! Debbie reported
back to me that when ever she goes outside Mornin' calls to her, they've ridden
all over the farm alone and have gone on group trail rides (some with me). Mornin'
is very lucky to have gone to such a wonderful home, and I think Debbie would
have to say that she is pretty darn lucky to have found Mornin'. Below are pictures
of Debbie heading out on the trails with Mornin'and the second one is Debbie and Mornin' attending the BLESS clinic with Dianne Little.

Here is an article I wrote in the "Walking Horse News" reporting on the BLESS clinic the the CRTWH hosted up in St Paul.

The Canadian Registry of Tennessee Walking Horses sponsored a BLESS clinic up here in North-East Alberta at the town of St Paul. Although some of the registered participants couldn't come, the clinic was a resounding success. We had participant from all over western Canada, two from B.C., one from WAY up north (Grand Prairie), and four of us local gals. One of our auditors came all the way from Prince Albert Sask.
With only 8 horses, our clinician was able to spend extra time with each of us. He told us that the clinic held at his ranch only has eight participants and the learning curve was that much greater. Usually the BLESS clinic is given by Bucky Sparks and his lovely wife Nancy. Unfortunately responsibilities at home kept Nancy there, so Bucky enlisted the more than capable Dianne Little to fill in for Nancy. When we all gathered Saturday morning Bucky gave us a little speech on the philosophy of BLESS, what Bless stood for, and what we can achieve at the clinic.

The Sparks philosophy in a nutshell is to train TWH in a safe, sound manner to do what they are meant to do- walk. This is accomplished with nothing more than a snaffle bit and training in a way that promotes life-long soundness for the horse. The acronym BLESS stands for Balance, Looseness, Engagement, Softness and Soundness. A lot of Bucky's training methods are from the dressage discipline with some slight modifications for our gaited horses. Bucky promised us all that we would see a significant improvement in all our horses and that they could all gait. I brought a mare that I didn't think had much gait in her as I had attended the BLESS clinic last year and thought Bucky could help her. I also brought the mare that I took to the clinic last year so we could go to the next stage.

A BLESS clinic is set up a little different from other clinics in that Nancy (or in this case Dianne) would work with one or two riders for an hour and then pass one rider on to Bucky for another half to one hour. I rode 2 horses at the clinic and don't think I'll do that again. It is very intense with a lot of knowledge being passed on. Bucky worked with a mike and those not riding listened in the stands and even participated with questions. The way it ended working out, Dianne would work on us as riders and Bucky would work on the horse. It was like getting two clinics in one. Hats of to Dianne as well, she was determined to bring a clinic up to this part of the province and worked with her foot in a bag from resent surgery. Her doctor would have a heart attack if he knew how she spent her weekend.

The end result? We all saw so much improvement in our horses. For me, Angel gaited and Mira cantered, both looking absolutely gorgeous while doing it I might add. But that wasn't the only thing the clinic did. It inspired all of us to keep learning and educating ourselves to help our horses become the best horse they can. It gave us all focus on how we can achieve this and what I think is the best thing, we all left the clinic with a few more friends than when we started. Everyone truly helped and encouraged one another, cheered when someone GOT IT, and shared in our love of horses. We all met for supper on Saturday night and shared lunches together.

The consensus? We want another clinic! For many it was the first clinic they had gone to and for most it was the first gaited clinic ever attended. The facility was wonderful and was even not too hot in the +34 C temps outside. So we are going to see what we can do for next year and what kind of response we get.


Dixie's Just Push Play (Angel) & Fran

The Kerik's and The Joy of Money would like to offer congratulations to Nicole
Hirsekorn and her filly "BUSTIN OUT THE MONEY" for winning the
weanling filly class at the futurity this year. Way to go!

JUST WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW, I NOW HAVE A BLOG!
Just type in http://twhstar.blogspot.com and you'll find it. It's a fun way to
Keep in touch with everybody about what's going on around here, and I can post
Up to date pictures. Check back often, as I will try to keep it updated.