Willow Creek Ranch LLC

08/09/2024

Anyone available to stack hay on Saturday? I just need one more! Cash.

08/08/2024

Thank you for your kindness and support. There is a distinct quiet over Willow Creek Ranch LLC. Khopper was a very vocal horse. We’ll see who rises to the occasion of being the new herd boss. I miss his nicker every moment of every day because it was just for me.

08/06/2024

Yeah…pretty much sums it up for me.

In fields we roamed, just you and I,
Now alone, I ask the sky,
Why did you go, my gentle friend,
Our journey's over, at its end?

Your mane so soft, your eyes so bright,
Guided me through day and night.
With whispered secrets, dreams we shared,
A bond so deep, a love so rare.

I miss your nuzzle, warm and sweet,
The steady rhythm of your feet.
Though you're gone, I feel you near,
In every memory, every tear.

Rest now, dear pony, free from pain,
In fields of gold, in sun and rain.
Forever in my heart, you'll stay,
My cherished friend, my light, my way.

08/06/2024

Nothing ever prepares you for the day when you have to say goodbye. 27 years wasn’t long enough of a life but it was my blessing to have my Khopper boy for the last 13 years. He coliced today and we couldn’t get him past his pain.

Khopper was a registered Arabian. My drill horse when I rode for the Rein’n Rowdies. I’ll never forget when we were performing in the Quad drill how he had a bridle malfunction and he still finished the routine! Always the first to nicker at me when I walk in the barn first in the morning. Best friend for being there when I just needed to cry. Always loved to play with me at liberty and trotted right next to me. Chaser of the big ball just for fun. My heart horse. So today, my heart is a little broken. I’m glad God didn’t let me see this coming and it hit us quickly. The lingering would have killed me. Toby and Rocky were able to say goodbye.

No matter how many times I attended the Horse Expo event put on by Tacoma Equine Hospital or the first aid seminar by Wildflower Veterinary Clinic, they never prepare your heart for the loss. But how grateful I am to the Dr Watson for her straightforward assessment and letting me ask endless questions as I searched in vain for another possible outcome.

I know when it’s my time, I’ll have my own little herd to greet me. This isn’t the end of the story for Khopper and I. It’s just a blink until we get to honor and glorify our God for eternity together again.

Thank you to my daughter Lauren who dropped everything to be with us and to Ann Lomax who was my rock. Thank you to Rick Thomas for making phone calls I just couldn’t.

My sweet Khopper boy will be missed by many. The photos I have here are only a few. If you have any photos or videos, please post them! ❤️

08/02/2024

The Trail Olympics are just around the corner on August 24th! As a reminder, if you haven’t contacted me to register and pay by Tuesday, August 6th the only thing you’ll miss out on is a Tshirt.

8/24 is for lesson clients only.

Leave me a message if you’d be interested in an October event! We have 20-25 obstacles ranging from beginner to intermediate skills. Cost is $35 per horse. Located in Tacoma just off Spanaway Loop Rd!

07/23/2024

Wow! Not sure if this applies to our area but what an opportunity!!!!

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 13+!!!
😎 𝕀𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝕤𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕪?
🤌 Want to train a a well bred and healthy weanling?
🤌 No strings attached!
🤌 Educational and fun!
😎 Apply to the Young Horse Development Program by AQHA!
❓️ Does it cost anything? 𝗡𝗼!! The application and Program do not cost a dime! However, because chosen youth are donated the weanling, they are responsible for their horse's health and welfare going forward.
🤩 Here's the amazing part!
The chosen youth receive a Ranching Heritage bred weanling to train and keep! Let me say that differently. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑. Some youth sell their horses after the project, some breed them, some keep them and show them (like I did with Lucia).

There was no way I could afford such a high caliber horse on a teenager's budget. This program changed my life.

🤔 If you're interested in applying, PM me. I can help you! Deadline is coming up Aug 15th!!

Pic of Lucia in the program years ago.

#

07/19/2024

Yes please!

07/04/2024

In honor of our active duty servicemen, veterans, and animals who are highly sensitive to loud noises, please be considerate this and every 4th of July!

06/30/2024

And so our family grows by 1! Welcome home Frankie! We’re so happy to have you join our family. Winston will be a wonderful big brother and I expect you to be the best of friends!

06/28/2024

Confidence is catching! Pearl had an incredible lesson today and I just want to shout it from the rooftops! Not only did she go on her first trail ride with her “steady Eddy” Toby, but she trotted in the area while I was on horseback too. A huge milestone for 10 year old Pearl.

The big takeaway is…always ride at your own pace. Never feel pressured to ride beyond what you think you’re ready for. Your confidence is felt by your horse, but so too is your fear.

Pearl…the world is your oyster sweetheart! I’m just so very proud of you!

06/27/2024

Saying “see you in September” is a lot easier than saying goodbye. Lucky for us, Dominic will be back for a few weeks then and we’ll take in some fun while he’s here. Until then friend, safe travels, keep Oakley hydrated, and watch your speed. You got precious cargo aboard! God’s speed sweet one!

06/23/2024

The last two days have been devoted to teaching young Soldiers and Airmen how to ride our fabulous horses. This event would not have been possible without the help of my other certified instructor Breanna and my fabulous wranglers: Ann Lomax, Jackie, Sarah, Lauren and Monica Vilona. We had such a fantastic time and according to the smiles and some true focus faces, these young folks enjoyed themselves too! Our horses performed beautifully and we couldn’t have asked for anything more! My heart is full tonight!

06/16/2024

Our horse centered sanctuary was in its full glory today! Thank you Breanna for the photo!

06/08/2024

Home sweet home! Tall grass, happy horses, happy Rottweiler, and my own bed! Swelling in the knee from the flight…ice and rest is for tomorrow. I’ve already kissed noses so that part of the homecoming is complete! Thank you to my caretakers; Breanna, Trista, Ann & Siri Bergsholm-Moan! A well oiled machine got the job done! Love you all!

06/06/2024

Well, London has mostly been viewed from the sofa. It’s not confirmed yet, but I believe I had a significant meniscus tear. I’m going to Madigan once I get home. No real swelling as one might see with an ACL tear (been there, done that) but extremely painful…hence my own diagnosis. Thank goodness for a local pharmacy carrying a sturdy brace.

I’ll be in touch with clients to let you know what next week will look like in terms of lessons.

In the mean time, I’m enjoying this book about how horses and teenagers are so similar! I highly recommend reading it!

06/03/2024

Many of you know Mike but might not have known he has fallen into some major health issues. Please come out to this benefit roping to show him your support! There will be great auction items to bid on, some good roping to watch and much more! !!

06/03/2024

I’m missing the feel and touch of my horses right now. I keep asking myself if it’s truly a restful vacation without them near. I think the next vacation is a stay-cation! Thank goodness for Breanna and Trista to take care of everything “ranch”! ❤️

05/30/2024

Had a lovely dinner at the Bay Tree in Tenby, Wales and had a lovely young lady named Saffron who took such good care of us! Thank you sweetheart! You’re welcome at the ranch anytime!

05/30/2024

Wales, GB. Rolling hills filled with sheep or “shep” as we call them. Delightful landscape. A few wild ponies hanging out with the sheep.

05/26/2024

I took the crew out for a short ride today. The Hunter Trials were going on at the same time so not the optimal riding experience. This was Mickey’s first time out since his adoption. He was a good boy and also Cessna’s first time since last year up at Elbe. Rocky had a lot to say about the photographer sitting in the middle of the open field. None of it good! All hopped into the trailer like professionals so at least that part was fabulous! I’m excited to have more riding time in the near future with Lauren and others from our barn family. Sadly, Dominic is headed home to Arkansas 😩. We’ll all miss him!

05/19/2024

Did someone leave their earbuds here yesterday?

05/19/2024

Today was bitter-sweet. We brought Tinker back to High Country Outfitters - Camp Wahoo Inc to prepare for the summer kids camp. We needed a girls lunch in Roslyn at the famous cafe that was featured in the show Northern Exposure to change the sadness. Thank you Ann Lomax, Sarah, and Lauren for accompanying me to Cle Elum. Sarah has been Tinker’s primary rider for the last several months and saying goodbye was hard.

To all the little girls who are going to fall in love at horse camp this summer, Tinker’s will be the face you’ll never forget!

05/17/2024

Mark your calendar it's almost Rodeo time!! We are proud to be a continued sponsor of this great local event!

05/17/2024

What a true blessing today has been. The ranch sponsored the 5th hole for the Special Operations Forces Benefit Golf Tournament and after an amazing day chasing a ball that at times, had other plans than to be on the fairway, I came home to find horses had been put to bed and the evening sky touched by angels. Thank you Ann Lomax and Dominic Pizzimenti for taking care of the horses and for your kindness! You are cherished and loved!

05/13/2024

I just can’t contain my joy…I have to share! I just adopted this guy! He’s officially my sweetheart! Former jumper, dressage and trails. I’m so excited to share our home with him! Welcome Chukars Midnight Run, barn name Mickey!