I've pretty much been riding as long as I can remember. Every chance I could sit on a horse, I was there! When I was 12 I got a job cleaning stalls for free riding lessons. As I improved my riding I was able to exercise other horses, groom, lunge, ride boarder's horses etc. I eventually started showing the school horses (in eventing) and then other people's horses. I rode anything that came my way, everything from the horse the trainer bought from the auction (let's see if he jumps, GO!) to a TB stallion that was trained Prix St George level dressage. I think riding every breed and level of horse out there definitely taught me a lot and improved my riding. When I was 19 I exercised polo ponies for a guy (that was new and an eye opener!). I then moved on to an Arab barn and learned everything from halter to saddleseat. When I was 25 I moved to Kentucky (my mom lives there) and worked at a TB farm. Again, learned new things that I had never seen. I now have my own farm and horses and feel very comfortable with training my own but I am the first to admit that I do NOT know everything and there is always something to learn. Not to mention that things change in the horseworld constantly and it's always good to stay on top of things. I also hate showing and would rather be galloping down a trail on my trusty mare :)