I was involved in the California horse industry beginning around 1968, active pretty much daily through 2003. I have been involved breeding and showing a variety of breeds. I've been lucky to have had many opportunities to train, show, breed and judge professionally and have shown national and state champion quarter ponies from halter to western pleasure, owned stakes winning and producing thoroughbreds, ridden and promoted notable Arabian horses. I've bred, ridden or shown state and world champion paint horses -- coming full circle from my beginning of local gymkhana events and GRA barrel racing in the 1970's.
I feel very fortunate to have had some great horses, including Custom King Collins - 1981 AQPA National Champion; Stormy's Whiz - western pleasure state and national champion; Natural Look - APHA World Champion halter, APHA Superior pleasure horse; Impress My Dad (1981-2005) AQHA futurity and national champion sire, Real Handey - AHR Scottsdale top ten western pleasure, Formula One - Stakes winning Thoroughbred son of Drone and leading CA sire... and of course, Paulo Dell (1968-1998) APHA Champion and Sire of Multiple APHA Champions and Superior Performance horses. He was the mainstay of my paint breeding program and gave us many wonderful years of colored working bred babies. Dell is buried at Eby Ranch. I'll be soon working on listing pictures and stories about my involvement with some of these horses on my "horses I have known" page.
I've had a fantastic life of being completely enthralled with everything "horses"... and after leaving the industry in about 2004, I've missed the lifestyle that my immersion in the horse world gave to me. I've gained immeasureable value directly related to the confidence and knowledge that handling and being with horses has taught me. No young girl ever had her nose more in the equine section of the library, seeking out every 'how-to' title -- studying horse conformation, equine anatomy and veterinary medicine, training techniques and tack...more than I did. Growing up in a horse-challenged family in Orange County in the 60's, fueled my internal fire to seek out equestrian buddies and riding and work opportunities for myself at local Santa Ana dude strings and boarding stables. As I matured, family friends always warned that when I 'found boys' I'd tire of horses and move on... They could have hardly been more wrong. ;^)
Any horse-person knows that to ride, train, or breed horses -- is so much more than a just another "career choice" or a romantic profession. It becomes your friendships and marriages, your hobbies and vacations... your hairstyle and clothing choices...even your vocabulary... all these things set me apart as a "horse woman". This fascinating world of its own - quickly becomes your entire life. It can come to define who you are. It did for me. To change stride so drastically in my middle age has been a strange ride, indeed! This is not at all what I could have envisioned for myself in my younger days when I thought I'd still be a 'cowgirl' like my friend Wilma Tate, and breaking colts when I was 65, God willing. ;^)
Over my horse-lifetime, I've had the opportunity to train and handle for some of the very best breeders in their respective breeds. True cornerstone's of the horse industry, many of whom have passed on. These clients and mentors, who became my good friends, strongly influenced the person that I am today. Buster Naegle - APHA national director, "Billie" Lu Prele Williams - Desert Arabians, Pearl Larson (Show Arabians) , Barbara Crail (B Bar C AQHA cutting and reining horses) Margaret Haverstock owner of Dreamazon+++, Hanson Stock Farm where I foaled out broodmares and worked with the yearlings. In retrospect, I wish that I had been aware enough in those past years to live in the moment and truly appreciate and acknowledge the wisdom and opportunities these people handed me, and to understand what a gift it was to have earned the faith they bestowed upon me with their horses.
For several years during the late 90's I developed various off-the-wall health problems and autoimmune issues. During 2001, throughout my involvement with PSI seminars, I began having mysterious, often severe and chronic "issues" including a long term severe gall bladder infection and susequent removal, as well as asthma, chronic pnemonia and "black outs" due to low blood oxygen levels. By 2003, after many trips to the ER, various tests and misdiagnosis' -- it was discovered that I had developed several very severe allergies to a multitude of things, not the least of which was HORSES and pine trees! (My own ranch was planted heavily with pines in 1990) Even after 2 years of treatments, courses of weekly antigen shots, many medications, acupuncture, meditation and even prayer... I had to let go of the stubborn idea that "I refuse to give up my horses." After having 6 'bouts of pneumonia in 12 months, I had to make the choice of my health over my passions (and ego).
Suddenly and what felt abrupt... my horsewoman's lifestyle that I knew, was no longer feasible. So throughout 2003 and 2004, my horses were sold off and the Eby Ranch barns stood empty. To fill my time I went to work for Central Casting and became involved in movie work. Still yet, I was disillusioned and bitter and sold all of my show tack, horse trailers and most of my ranch equipment. I completely threw in the towel in summer of 2004 and upon advice from my allergist, relocated from the ranch to a beach front cottage in the ocean community of Hollywood Beach. For years I refused to even look at a horse magazine or follow anything remotely equestrian. I felt saddened and angered by my loss and somewhat betrayed by the horses that I loved for so long. It felt worse than a bad divorce!
On the upside, I wanted to be proactive and resilient so I became very involved in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Channel Islands. I trained on the boat crew program and worked on ocean patrols in Port Hueneme and out to the Channel Islands. I was appointed the (11SR0707) division 7 staff officer for information services (IT). I focused on doing background work and my new Homeland Security duties. Removing much of my negative focus (bad vibes) completely off of my perceived losses, and having a new interest, my health health did much improving! So well, in fact that in March 2009 after several years away - I'm moving back part time to the high desert, to rework the ranch! I was recently medically retested and although I do have some new and different "health issues" to deal with, I am showing some improvment in my allergies! Yipeee.
So now, in 2009 - after unrelated medical problems, it was determined that I will be able to carfully be around horses again. I cannot yet ride and I am dealing with the other health issues as I go along, but I am absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to once again own a horse! My teen aged grand daughter, Trinity, is now interested in owning her first horse. So, of course, I am re-involved!
In March we found and purchased Trinity's first horse, a BLM mustang gelding named Lakota, pictured below. Lakota is a chestnut with flaxen mane and tail, blaze and stocking (almost what we used to call a "California Sorrel" - very popular back in the late 60's) Lakota has a BLM brand on his neck, stands 14.3 hands tall and 15 years old, and although fairly safe, he's just enough "horse" to teach her to really become a rider. He is no push button ride. She started attending some local gymkhana playdays in April and is "learning by doing". In the process of looking for a horse for Trinity, I fell in love with a spunky, high strung 1/2 arabian tovero mare named "Sashay In Colour"... Of course I had to buy her for myself (even thoguh I cannot yet ride!) I'll get there again, one obstacle at a time!
So... Watch for us - in the local horse world - weeeeee're baaack...
Happy Trails,
Gater
Trinity and Lakota -
Below on day one at the ranch on March 21st - and pictured to the right on April 18, 2009 at their very first gymkhana ever! She had never even seen a gymkhana or show!
