Michelle started riding horses and taking lessons at age nine. She got her first horse when she was twelve and continued taking lessons while working as a Jr. Wrangler at a day camp for several summers. Throughout high school she worked many hours as a volunteer for an Equine Assisted Therapy program.
Michelle received her degree in Animal Science from Sam Houston State University. While attending SHSU she rode for the Ranch Horse Team and competed in stock horse events. She was also an active member in the Horsemen’s Association. While in college, Michelle gained experience breaking and training young horses. She continues to go to clinics and lessons to constantly improve her riding and horsemanship skills. She believes that you can never stop learning. Her favorite philosophy is this quote about what constitutes an expert in the horse industry:
“What exactly constitutes expertise in such an ambiguously defined field?
I know only what I know and continue to have that yearning to know more from others in the industry that may know more than me.
So what constitutes expertise in the horsemanship and horse-starting world – if there aren’t any formal certifications, who in the market do you consider an expert?
Who do you consider an expert in comparison to your self?
For me it is the horse who will deem me fit to be the so-called expert.
He will give me the facts every time.”
