"I own Strides Horsemanship. Here's a bit about my background: Pictured here after winning a Ranch Versatility High Point with my homegrown, home trained, 2 year old stallion, Completing my Freestyle in my first Mustang Makeover (3rd overall) with Coal (Start to finish in my hands), and Climbing out of the Priest River to win the Region 5 AHA 50 mile Championship on a horse I started myself in the sport of endurance. These are just a handful of my accomplishments since the birth of my son Wyatt in 2020 when I lost all confidence in my abilities, and started rebuilding myself as a horseman and a rider.

I've been running trails in the woods for 20 years, have started over 100 colts, finished and ran 1D barrel horses, worked as a certified vet tech for 5 years (after graduating one of the highest rated schools in the country for techs), I've participated and had success in a lot of different disciplines.

I've always been dedicated to horses and horsemanship, but the decision to become an adult barn rat came after reading Denny Emerson's book "How Good Riders Get Good". Denny's sage advice was that we have choices and there aren't necessarily wrong ones or right ones.

I was at a decision point of my life when I read his book, barn rat, or higher paying job that pays the bills to have horses. I chose barn rat. It was a hard path, but I regret no part of it. Nothing could replace the years I have spent side by side with horses and the people who love them and are more knowledgeable than myself.

I'm at a point in my career now that I can read a horse's body language and know things are coming long before the horse acts. I can look at a horse and know if he's a little tired, needs a different kind of feed, if he's happy or unhappy in his pen. These seem like little things, and I probably thought I knew them 10 years ago, but not like I do now, and not like I will 10 years from now.

None of these accomplishments matter as much as the spirit in which I offer services. That spirit is one of sincere caring for every horse and rider, and the wish only to be helpful if I can."

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-Leilani

Ride Like You Mean It