Bill - I'm the guy that foots all the bills around here! I'm currently an active-duty Army Reserve officer who just enjoys the heck out of horses. My own riding and show career is in its infancy, but I sure enjoy the horses and the people associated with this wonderful 'hobby'.

Valia - My teenage daughter who's responsible for me loving horses and spending all my money. She's been showing for a few years now (with Cowboy), but had been on a performance event hiatus for several years until just recently. She just showed at the 2010 Houston Rodeo's Paint Show and did very well! She's looking forward to showing extensively during her Senior year at Clear Lake High School and is, at this time, wanting to pursue a career as a large-animal vet (discount for Daddy!!!).

Photos:

Valia & Cowboy enjoying a good lope at Jim Carver's place in Brenham, TX. Cowboy and Rudy are both in training there for 2010. It's a wonderful facility and Jim is a superb trainer!

Valia (w/Cowboy) and Jim Carver (on Rudy) during one of her lessons up at Jim's place in Brenham. As a cutting horse trainer, Jim has some REALLY nice facilities up there! His wife, Terri, is one of the premiere sheepdog trainers in the state. See their website at maximumaussies.com.

Rudy (born on Valentines Day 2007). This young stallion is (registered name: Zippos Gold Mastrcard) from Sierra Oaks Ranch up in Rusk, TX. Check out Jeanie's website at http://sierraoaksranch.com. Rudy is doing great in training at Jim's place and is showing some promise for cattle events, along with even Western Pleasure!

Our first experience with the sorrow & heartbreak of horse ownership. Durango (Zippos Risky Business), our 2006 Tovero Colt, died at the age of ten months, the day before Thanksgiving. This boy was built like a rock! To all that could've been...we'll never forget. Durango was also from Sierra Oaks Ranch.

'Twitch'...the newest addition to the family! This beautiful little black & white colt was born on March 22, 2010. He's likely homozygous and will be tested soon. He has some great NCHA bloodlines, so we'll see what happens! Thanks again to Jeanie at Sierra Oaks Ranch (link above)...our third purchase from her!

This is Marley, Valia's crazy, but fun, American Shepherd. This                            little guy is FULL of energy and personality!

Equipment on the Ranch:

The pride & joy of my small 'fleet', a refurbished 80's model JD 332 diesel garden tractor. This thing's a tank!

Another old Deere...a late 70's/early 80's JD-108 lawn tractor that I've restored. I also have an old JD Square Fendered 110 and 112 that I hope to get around to fixin' up someday.

My bigger tractor, a refurb'd Shibaura SD-1603 (Japanese) that                              I picked up in the Dallas area back in '06 on the way back from                            the PtHA World Show. It's a 3 cylinder, 19 HP diesel that's a real workhorse.

My even bigger tractor & my last acquisition...a Kubota L3400 with FEL & a 5-foot Rhino 160 rotary cutter. This thing is NICE & hopefully the last tractor I'll ever need!!! This unit was purchased from one of our great local companies, Alvin Equipment. As you can tell from the photos...Green, Orange, Red...they're all good!