Who is Patty?
Hard to write this sort of thing...but I will give it a go. I have been with horses since birth...though no photo exists...have been told I would cry until dad put me up on old Dolly, one of the family farm Percheron cross drafters that we had. This was at two years old. I flat raced my first time at 9 at the Westlock Fair - and at 12, snuck out of my bedroom to ride my Thoroughbred, Q.H. cross gelding the fourteen miles into Westlock. Raced successfully on Apache Sun for the next five years - winning much more often than not - not due to my specific skill at that time...other than to be able to stay on this spectacular animal. I went to the race track in Calgary when I was nineteen, and groomed on the track for a year. I left that world, as I could not deal with the way things were done...the freezing of a pained leg on a 3 year old was the turning point. In my late twenties, I discovered Linda Tellington Jones, and a ten year adventure of following her and Robyn Hood (Linda's younger sister)here in Canada, and a few trips to clinics in the U.S. began. I am a huge proponent of the work, and she is truly the inspiration of much of what I do, and all of how I do it! I work hard always to "be like Linda", as I believe her to be the true, and original "horse whisperer" of the equine world. My adventure started with Linda, with a 16 hand Q.H. cross mare. Big Red (Reliant) was with me for 26 years, and we did it all. Flat raced, barrels, square dancing, cattle round-ups, endurance, pleasure, and towards the end of her life, she was a "people healer". Worked with many folks who were terrified of horses, until they met her. My favourite memory was of the C.B.C. On The Road Again crew who came to do a story here - the two men began to shake as I approached with her in tow to do the "ride off into the sunset" clip. I stopped her about 15 feet from the truck where they were, and literally, one step at a time, approached. Once we reached them close enough that they could touch her, she dropped her head, and I swear, exuded a calmness...whatever she did, it worked, and both men relaxed, and began to pet her. They were beside themselves with the change she produced in them. It was a wonderful moment, and a great example of the character of this old girl.
It was after Reliant's passing that the pony gig began, and I have not looked back. They are truly a special little bunch these guys. Full of character, spunk, attitude, and courage. Some of my group really define courage...having been put through who knows what prior to arriving here.
That sums up my horse life...and through the years I was the City of Edmonton's first female garbage truck driver, and the first female to ever compete in, and win the yearly truck rodeo. I was a motorcycle rider for just a year, I drove Edmonton Transit buses for 4 years, drove semi trailers with Kelly for 4 years - running super B loads of asphalt up and down the Alaska highway. Started Country Log Caskets company in 1996, using a chainsaw to cut the V-groove out of 2 1/2 inch diameter trees. I have been a sawyer, running our ban-saw for the two years, and the last 13 years, we have been flooring installers, specializing in all types of tile work, hardwood and laminate, and custom stairs. Now, I am a harness maker, and have learned how to do upholstery for the carts. Next...who knows!
It was after Reliant's passing that the pony gig began, and I have not looked back. They are truly a special little bunch these guys. Full of character, spunk, attitude, and courage. Some of my group really define courage...having been put through who knows what prior to arriving here.
That sums up my horse life...and through the years I was the City of Edmonton's first female garbage truck driver, and the first female to ever compete in, and win the yearly truck rodeo. I was a motorcycle rider for just a year, I drove Edmonton Transit buses for 4 years, drove semi trailers with Kelly for 4 years - running super B loads of asphalt up and down the Alaska highway. Started Country Log Caskets company in 1996, using a chainsaw to cut the V-groove out of 2 1/2 inch diameter trees. I have been a sawyer, running our ban-saw for the two years, and the last 13 years, we have been flooring installers, specializing in all types of tile work, hardwood and laminate, and custom stairs. Now, I am a harness maker, and have learned how to do upholstery for the carts. Next...who knows!