Ashley started seriously riding and training around age thirteen. She started out spending many hours after school doing Parelli with her sister's second horse, Rio. Rio quickly became her "dance partner". Unfortunately Ashley soon outgrew Rio. He was in his mid-twenties and his body wasn't up to 10 hours of play a week. Rio comes out of "retirement" a few days a week to give kids lessons at River Run Stables. He is very patient and forgiving, but still has some spirit left in his old body. It's not unusual to see him galloping and bucking around his pasture, giving the two year old a run for his money. He is still the most loyal and playful horse in her life, and he probably always will be. 
Picture taken at a natural horsemanship demonstration with Dan Kuhn at the Saratoga Racetrack Dressage Festival.
Ashley & Nugget
As Ashley progressed and began riding more vigorously she looked for a horse to replace Rio. She was given an opportunity by a friend to free lease a horse for the summer, and possibly buy it in the fall. Ashley quickly learned that this new horse, Nugget, was no Rio. He was not at all forgiving, extremely head shy, difficult to catch, overly sensitive, distrustful of humans, and bucked a lot when he was cinched up. Through a lot of tears and frustration Nugget forced Ashley to progress her horsemanship. Nugget is still quite a challenge, but he has come a long way. He now comes running when Ashley calls him.
Ashley & Boca
Boca came into Ashley's life quite unexpectedly. Boca was being boarded at River Run Stables around the age of 3. Her owner hired Ashley to train her to be handled and ridden. Boca was very unconfident. She was extremely protective of her back legs, kic
king out if anything got near them. She would also jump out of her corral and through metal gates if something startled her. Boca's owner eventually decided that she was not the right horse for her and gave her back to the original owner. The original owner also hired Ashley to work with Boca. After a few months Boca's owner offered to give her to Ashley. Boca then became Ashley's main project, and after three years Boca has become one of Ashley's most trusted mounts. Boca is extremely athletic and loves to jump. Ashley and Boca officially passed the Parelli level 2 program in the Fall of '06. In the spring of 2008 Ashley received a 6 week scholarship to the Parelli International Study Center in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Boca went with Ashley on this incredible journey and they both came back more insprired and knowledgeable.They are nearing the end of level three and hope to begin showing in the spring of 2009.