- Patty Morton -
Sue Ellen is a true inspiration to us all.
How many years have you been riding and what sparked your interest ?
"I started at Pathfinder six years ago. I wanted to learn how to ride the English way. I had done Western
trail riding as a kid."
trail riding as a kid."
Which horse has taught you the most ?
"Each horse I've ridden has taught me something, but some of them are: Jason, who taught me how
fun it is. Ferrari taught the importance of balance. Sootie taught me to jump the first time. Jake taught
me to relax. Brum has taught me a lot of things, but he's the first horse I've gotten on the bit. I think
Lily has taught me the most because she needs me to be at my best, so I really strive to be there for
her in all aspects.
fun it is. Ferrari taught the importance of balance. Sootie taught me to jump the first time. Jake taught
me to relax. Brum has taught me a lot of things, but he's the first horse I've gotten on the bit. I think
Lily has taught me the most because she needs me to be at my best, so I really strive to be there for
her in all aspects.
What do you love most about riding ?
"
"The feeling of flying through the air and at the same time feeling connected with a magnificent steed
under you. There is nothing that has even come close in my experience.
under you. There is nothing that has even come close in my experience.
"
What would you like to accomplish in the next year ?
"I'm going to work on my relationship with Lily, trying to expand the trust we have
for each other. I also want to teach her to lunge. I would really like to jump a full
course with Brum."
for each other. I also want to teach her to lunge. I would really like to jump a full
course with Brum."
What goal would you like to reach within the next five years ?
"In five years I would like to continue to learn and improve my riding skills and
continue to expand my knowledge of all things equestrian. There is so much to
learn, I feel I'll be able to spend a lifetime with horses and still learn new things.
I think that's one of the reasons I love it so much."
continue to expand my knowledge of all things equestrian. There is so much to
learn, I feel I'll be able to spend a lifetime with horses and still learn new things.
I think that's one of the reasons I love it so much."
Sue Ellen's deep appreciation of the horse reminds us of what it is all about...the delight she
takes in giving devoted love and care to her bouncing babies, Brum and Lily; her thirst for
knowledge as she takes on the challenges each new day brings; and the pure joy she shares,
bringing light and laughter to Pathfinder Farm.
takes in giving devoted love and care to her bouncing babies, Brum and Lily; her thirst for
knowledge as she takes on the challenges each new day brings; and the pure joy she shares,
bringing light and laughter to Pathfinder Farm.
Barn Hours
Tuesday - Sunday
7 am - 8 pm
No Rentals
No Western
Call Us @ 760-744-9128
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"As a child I began riding at age seven in Northern Georgia on a ten acre property. Together, my dad
and I fenced our pastures and graded a flat riding area. I learned to ride on a gaited horse that was
small. He had some ground issues and I later got an appaloosa who I rode daily. My dad taught me
to ride, muck stalls, groom and feed horses. We bred our mare and had a little appaloosa colt. At
eleven I moved back to San Diego and the horses were few and far between for a very long time. It
will be three years this December, that I have been riding at Pathfinder. I'm learning the how and why
now formally with some very special teachers."
How many years have you been riding?
Which horse has taught you the most?
"Sootie has taught me the most of all the school horses. Although I feel I have learned something unique
and valuable from each of them. Sootie has been the most forgiving teacher for me. Sometimes horses teach you about yourself and other times they teach you about them. When I am unsure, he just does what he knows is right. He's allowed me to make many mistakes and has listened quietly when I finally give clear communication. I feel comfortable trying new things on him because he is patient with me and waits until I can give him the correct signal. He's so good at his job; he encourages me softly to keep trying."
and valuable from each of them. Sootie has been the most forgiving teacher for me. Sometimes horses teach you about yourself and other times they teach you about them. When I am unsure, he just does what he knows is right. He's allowed me to make many mistakes and has listened quietly when I finally give clear communication. I feel comfortable trying new things on him because he is patient with me and waits until I can give him the correct signal. He's so good at his job; he encourages me softly to keep trying."
"What I love most about riding is the way I feel when I am with horses. The relationship I share with them whether on the ground or on their
back is something special to me. It's a relationship of understanding and acceptance. When I am with them I am free to focus on just them
and myself for the whole time we're together. Riding at Pathfinder has given me the opportunity to meet some wonderful horses and people.
It has rekindled something I loved so long ago.
back is something special to me. It's a relationship of understanding and acceptance. When I am with them I am free to focus on just them
and myself for the whole time we're together. Riding at Pathfinder has given me the opportunity to meet some wonderful horses and people.
It has rekindled something I loved so long ago.
"I would like to become a more relaxed, neutral rider that has smooth transitions. I would like to not feel the need to over think everything.
I would like to smile more through my lessons."
I would like to smile more through my lessons."
"
"Within the next five years, I would like to ride quietly on a variety of horses that are hot or cold, big or small. To not feel the need to over
analyze each direction I am given and just do it. To teach beginners to ride from the ground up sharing that special love of horsemanship
that continues to bring me pleasure. Jumping crossrails would be something to work towards also."
analyze each direction I am given and just do it. To teach beginners to ride from the ground up sharing that special love of horsemanship
that continues to bring me pleasure. Jumping crossrails would be something to work towards also."
What do you love most about riding?
What would you like to accomplish in the next year?
What goal would you like to reach within the next five years?
Melissa Riggins
Please scroll this page
Emma P.
How many years have you been riding and what sparked your interest?
"I've been riding for five years. It was my brother who first wanted to start riding, after he read
'The Black Stallion'. I love
animals, so I thought riding would be fun. I had a friend who rode
horses and another friend that was about to start riding at Pathfinder
so I started with her. I
ended up riding before my brother and kept riding when he gave it up after less than a year".
Which horse has taught you the most?
"All horses have a lesson to teach, but there are some particular horses and ponies that have
taught me a lot, like Kowasake, Sootie
and I'm still learning from Lulu. Kowasaki was the first
pony I rode and he taught me not to be afraid of horses misbehaving. I constantly
had to stop
him from diving for grass but I learnied how to make him behave and now he's my favorite pony.
Sootie was the first really
slow horse I rode and I learned to keep on him, to make him go and
to ride every step. When I rode Lulu more often I was definately
learning to stay on the buck and
not be afraid of the crop".
What do you love most about riding?
What would you like to accomplish in the next year?
"In the next year I would like to be in some more shows. I would like to do a lot more jumping in my lessons. I also want to
keep
my canter consistent on every horse, but especially on Lulu".
What goal would you like to reach within the next five years?
"In the next five years I'd like to have a horse of my own.I'd like to ride my horse every day and develop a really strong relationship
with it.
There's a horse sanctuary in Northern California I'd really like to go to and do one of their 3 day trail rides".
Emma is every teacher's dream...always ready to go and willing to try anything. She has the perfect combination of both positive
attitude
and the willingness to work hard. What impresses us most is her remarkable tenacious attitude and the willingness to work
hard to fix
any problem. To Emma, setbacks in her riding are simply delays on the way to mastering new skills.
When we think of Emma, the old cowboy
adage comes to mind..."You're either a horseperson or the other kind". Emma is most
definately the horseperson, a girl who never met
a horse or pony she didn't like. Her love for the horses is inspiring and we look forward to watching her grow and develop both as
a rider and as a young adult. With her attitude and improving skills she will take aptitude to new heights!
-Corinne
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
I love the personal connection and the interaction with the horses. I love the feeling of cantering because it's so smooth and
fast.
I love the jumping I've done so far. I love to come to the farm and spend time with the horses and my friends. I like to watch other
people ride and I especially like to watch other people jump. I really like to come and train to be a working student because I get
to spend more time with the horses and my friends.
