About me/racing interests:
Thoroughbred & Quarter Horse Breaking & Training, Racing
How did I get into racing?
I am a graduate of California State University of Fresno and I hold a B.A. in Agricultural Business and a Minor in Animal Science. I also have an Associate Degree in Animal Husbandry. Born in Oklahoma, I have a solid ranching background. As a youth, my love for working with animals coupled with my desire to learn, led me in a new direction. While attending high school, I found employment with a veterinarian who specialized in small animals. By junior college, I started working for another veterinarian. This time I was dealing with large animals.
By 1968, I began my horse career breaking colts in Modesto, California. I went on to conditioning horses at the Silver D Bar Training Farm in Sanger, California for five years and had the pleasure of working as Ranch Manager at Bar JL under the legendary Jockey/Trainer, Johnny Longden for three years. I gained added experience to his resume working as Ranch Manager at the Wardell Farm in Sanger, California for 14 years. I consider myself a "hands-on" trainer who recognizes the importance of consistent, quality conditioning of both the body and mind of each horse. I believe that developing an understanding between horse and trainer is a crucial step in the training process. I am now the Owner/Manager/Trainer of Green Valley Training Center in Chowchilla, CA. We are a full service racehorse breaking & training facility.
Favorite racing moment?
I enjoy breaking & training horses, and watching them go on to a prosperous career. One such horse is Lava Man. An incredible thoroughbred by Slew City Slew, out of Li'l Ms. Leonard, by Nostalgias
Star. Lava Man was named 2005 California-Bred Champion Older Horse and Horse
of the Year and 2006 Champion Older Horse, Turf Horse, and Horse of the Year by
The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA), Champion Older Horse
by The CTBA. His earnings were over 5.2 million.