Rising Talent Horsemanship Fall 2023

Rising Talent Horsemanship

Vol. 12, September 2023

Letting Go of Fear

-By Kassi Harpster

Extreme Cowboy Racing

-with Jaycee Saugstad

Going After Your Dreams

-By Natalie Fuller

Meet Third Generation Mini Horse Training Cousins

-By Tyson Bier & Emily Dowie

Taking the Time It Takes with Miniature Horses

-By Charlene Bier

The Journey of Learning

-with Jenna Simmons

-& MORE!

“Continuously honing your skills is crucial for becoming a better trainer. ”

-Jenna Simmons

Featuring5 Up-and-Coming Trainers

Jenna and her EMM mare, Pebbles

Editorial Page ~Rising Talent Horsemanship~

Information

RisingTalentHorsemanship seekstohighlightnewand establishedhorsetrainers.

Rising Talent Horsemanship

Issue12,September2023

Legal

Anyviews,opinions,ortraining techniquesexpressedinRisingTalent Horsemanshiparenotnecessarily thoseoftheeditor,norcantheybe heldaccountable. RisingTalent Horsemanship,VanFleetMustangsor SamanthaVanFleetwillnotbeheld responsibleforanycopyright infringementormisrepresentationon thepartofadvertisersorhighlighted trainers. Anycorrespondenceto RisingTalentHorsemanship,itseditor, orpublisherareassumedfor publication. Allstories(verbalor printed),photos,newsitems,andany othersubmittedmaterials,solicitedby RisingStarHorsemanshipornotare assumedtobelegallyreleasedbythe submitterforpublication.

EDITORS

SarahBurgner

SamVanFleet

ContributingWriters

CharleneBier

TysonBier

EmilyDowie

KassieHarpster

JayceeSaugstad

JennaSimmons

www.rthorsemanship.com

Meet the Editors... ~Rising Talent Horsemanship~

Hey there!

I’m Sarah, and I reside in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Like most little girls, I have been in love with all things equines since I was 6 years old. From pretending I was a horse myself, to starting my own colts, loving on mustangs, to jumping in the show ring, I have never been able to get enough of God’s most gorgeous creation, the horse. Now, twenty years later I have started my own natural horsemanship business and am elated at the opportunity to be a collaborator and editor of this magazine!

Hey guys,

I’m Sam, a 24-year-old trainer whose passion is gentling, training, and rehoming mustangs to get them out of holding. My other passion is helping other horse owners communicate with their horses better. Over the past few years I've developed my business through YouTube, clinics, training, taking and teaching lessons,

learning through internships, social media, etc. My goal is to help other young trainers grow their businesses as well and connect the equine community… which is why I began this magazine.

Sarah and I are so excited to bring you this magazine full of content. We hope you enjoy!

~Rising Talent Horsemanship~

Table of Contents

JayceeSaugstad

Check out Jaycee’s fire for the American Mustang and Extreme Cowboy Racing!

pg5

TysonBier

Get to know Tyson and read all about his life as a third generation mini chuckwagon driver.

pg14

KassiHarpster

Become inspired as Kassi shares her story on diving in on mustangs and God deserving all the glory!

pg8

EmilyDowie

Meet Emily and hear about her experience as a third generation mini horse chuckwagon trainer! pg16

JennaSimmons

Read as Jenna shares some great advice about exploring the journey of learning.

pg11

CharleneBier

Come along as Charlene shows you into here world as a mini horse driver, trainer, and family farmer. pg19

~Rising Talent Horsemanship~

The Trainers Fall Features

Autumnisintheair! Relaxandbecome inspiredreadingthe wordsandtestimonies ofotherequine enthusiasts.

Jaycee Saugstad and her horse, Nova

Jaycee Saugstad

San Bernardino, CA -

Age 15 -

Shinin’ M Mustangs

Hi! My name is Jaycee Saugstad, I’m 15 years old and I’m from San Bernardino, California. I took my first riding lesson when I was six and instantly fell in love with all things horse related. I started out riding English for a couple of years but then switched to western, and that’s when I started to learn about mustangs. My trainer at the time had multiple mustangs and I had the

opportunity to show one of them in an open show during the 2019 SoCal TIP Challenge, which is when I found out about mustang training challenges. I immediately became interested in them and knew training mustangs was what I wanted to do. Someday I would love to have a place where I can host gentling clinics and teach people about mustangs, and showcase what an amazing breed they are.

Jayceepicturedwith mustangmare,Nova (above.)

Andmustangmare, Dani(right.)

Check out what Jaycee is currently up to…

At the moment, I am training a yearling from Twin Peaks named Nova for the 2023 Temecula Valley TIP Challenge. She is really smart and I am excited to see what she does in the future! I currently have two personal horses, both of them mustang mares. One of them is named Dani; she is the kindest horse I’ve ever met. She is a nervous horse, which is a challenge that has taught me so much about listening to horses. She loves obstacles and we currently compete in Extreme Cowboy Racing (EXCA).

I competed in my first TIP Challenge in 2022 with my Devil’s Garden filly, American Honey. I had worked with green horses and some rescues but never a completely wild horse before. To say I was nervous was an understatement, but I was also crazy excited because my dreams were finally coming true! Honey was amazing from the start; we had lots of ups and downs but in the end it all worked out. The competition went really well. I was in shock the whole weekend because of how amazing she was. We ended up winning three of the four classes and were overall youth champions. I kept Honey after the competition. She is my “soul stang” and a forever horse. I now mainly focus on liberty and tricks with her. I would love for her to do demos someday and help educate people on how awesome mustangs are!

Working with mustangs and green horses has always been a dream of mine, and I am so thankful for my supportive family and friends who help me achieve my goals. If I told my past self that I would be doing what I am now I would have never believed it. I am so grateful for all of the amazing learning opportunities I’ve had and will get to experience! The process of gentling a wild horse is very special. There is just something about earning a mustang’s trust that is so rewarding and magical. Especially after all they’ve been through, helping them get over their fears and settle into domestic life is such a cool process. Having a relationship with clear communication and trust, more than anything else, is my goal for all of my horses. Horses are the best teachers of horsemanship for sure; I’ve learned so much about how horses communicate to us and how they express themselves, it’s honestly life changing. I think every horse lover should experience it if they have the opportunity!

Want to get in touch with Jaycee?

Contact her here!

Instagram: @shininmmustangs

Facebook: Shinin M Mustangs

Email: shininmmustangs@gmail.com

Kassi Harpster

Spring Mills, PA -

Age 18 -

Rising K Equine

My name is Kassi Harpster. I'm 18 yrs old and currently training out of central Pennsylvania. I started training about 4 years ago when I purchased my first green broke mustang. Since owning her, I longed to be on the other side of riding, seeing what a horse is like before they are trained. I competed in my first TIP challenge in 2020. I came out champion and from then on I knew I wanted to continue to train. I have since then competed in the PA TIP challenge twice (2021 youth reserve, 2020 youth champion), Ohio TIP challenge (2022 youth champion), and the Franklin, TN EMM as an adult (10th overall).

I am currently giving lessons, taking client horses, and still competing in challenges. I will be judging the PA TIP challenge at the end of August, and competing in the Devil's Garden Mustang Challenge in the middle of September. I have come to love teaching and giving lessons. I enjoy watching people learn how to work with their horses and work through problems. I also love that I am trusted to teach the future generation of horsemen.

I am more than blessed by the opportunity to work with all breeds of horses, but especially mustangs. I owe all glory to God & thank him for keeping me safe while I train.

Check out these amazing Photos of Kassi with her 2023 Extreme Mustang Makeover horse, Nessie!

Letting Go of Fear

Training horses is not an easy job.Whether you’re scared to canter a horse under saddle for the first time, turn a mustang out on pasture, or take one out on their first trail ride, training comes with a lot of fear. And some fears and obstacles can be hard to get over. For me, it was the fear of pushing my horses. I was scared of a blow up, a horse to rear or spook. Those things are scary, right? In all reality, I have every right to be a little fearful of those events happening. But what happens when you don’t push you & your horse through those things? When you don’t correct them or teach them how to handle themselves after they have done something “scary”? Here is what happens: you hold yourself back. You wrap your horse in a bubble. You miss training opportunities, and even worse you risk making your horse fearful. When I say you, I mean myself included. It has only been in the past year that I have learned how to correctly push horses. We have to have high expectations for these animals for two reasons; they are capable of so much, and the risk of injury or even death (either to themselves or to us) is real. But the best way to get there is to teach them how to encounter new things and trust us through the process.

So I started to push a little. To have higher expectations for my personal horses. I let go of the fear of what bad could happen and focused on what good could come from getting a little uncomfortable. Oh no! My horse's leg got stuck in a trail ride! I'm not worried anymore, I've had ropes around their legs and they know how to stand calmly. Or say another horse spooks and takes off bucking while I am riding or even on the ground. I am confident my horse will stick with me because I have taught my horse how to respond to chaos. I have gone through the uncomfortable times of them learning how to stand on three legs, how to give to pressure whether they feel it on their leg, belly, neck, or anywhere else on their body so that they can be and keep me safe.

Letting Go of Fear Continued….

Learning how to work with my fears & discomfort has helped me grow immensely as a trainer. Instead of avoiding fear, I now try to work through it. As a result, my horses and I have become more confident and calm, more capable of meeting life’s obstacles with a sense of possibility. It is only through pushing through fear (our horse’s and our own), through being uncomfortable and trying new things, that we grow as trainers and as people.

Pictured to the bottom left is Kassie with, Dood, a gelding for the Devils Garden mustang challenge in PA.

Pictured at the bottom right is Kassi with Jasper, a client mule.

ConnectandFollowKassion theseplatforms!

Facebook : Rising K Equine

Email : kharpstermustangs@gmail.com

Phone : 814-380-4353

I offer lessons, colt starting, groundwork, mustang gentling, & more!

Counter Canter Designs

Jenna Simmons

Owner & Trainer at0 Hay Girl MustangsBowling Green, KY -

Age 20

Hello, I'm Jenna Simmons, a 20-year-old horse enthusiast based in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Alongside my sister-in-law, I co-run a business known as Hay Girl Mustangs. My journey with horses began when I was first placed in a saddle by my mom. Horses have remained an integral part of my life ever since. I started off riding purely for fun, but during my senior year of high school, I transitioned into training horses. My initial experience involved working with wild mustangs. Today, at Hay Girl Mustangs, we offer services like colt starting, tune-ups, clinics, mustang gentling, trick training, problem-solving, and transportation.

PicturedtotheleftisJennaand herpersonalhorse,Tatanka.

The Journey of Learning

Among my accomplishments, being selected for The Horse Help Train Off challenge in Mississippi stands out. This opportunity allowed me to collaborate with Michael Gascon and learn more efficient horse training techniques. Another proud moment was achieving second place in handling and conditioning during my first Extreme Mustang Makeover. The horse I worked with taught me invaluable lessons that I'll forever cherish. My ultimate goal as a horse trainer is to instill confidence and safety in riders as they connect with their horses.

For aspiring horse trainers, I offer this advice: the journey of learning is endless. The horse training industry offers numerous styles, and even repetitive information contributes to growth. Continuously honing your skills is crucial for becoming a better trainer. While facing challenges with difficult horses can be tough, progress matters. A small improvement every day, even just 1%, counts. Every seasoned trainer has encountered tough horses, and exploring new approaches is part of the learning process. Embrace constant improvement, as your expanding skill set will always be an asset.

Starting a business demands determination and striving for excellence. Set clear goals and stay focused, as building your presence in the horse training world takes time and dedication. Remember, there will be both supporters and detractors. Don't allow anyone to deter you from pursuing your dreams. Success depends on your actions and perseverance.

A valuable training tip I'd like to share is about energy control. Observe the world's top trainers - they understand how and when to apply specific energy levels. Mastering this skill takes practice, but the more horses you work with, the better you'll become. Horses are incredibly perceptive to energy, and it can greatly impact your sessions. I recall working with a particular mustang that responded best when my energy was neutral. However, some horses thrive with higher energy levels. It's essential to adapt based on the individual horse's needs during each session.

Lastly, always prioritize what's best for the horse you're working with at any given time. Feel free to reach out to me through our Facebook page, "Hay Girl Mustangs," for any inquiries or further discussions.

Best regards,

Jenna Simmons

Tyson Bier

Double Tree FarmsAlberta CanadaAge 15

My name is Tyson Bier, I am 15 years old and live just outside of Vulcan, Alberta Canada. My life has always been involved with horses. I was born in the summer of 2008 into the racing family. My first wagon racing event was when I was 2 weeks old. I am a 3rd generation wagon driver on both sides and have raced with my family all over North America. Both my grandpas, mom and dad, aunts, uncles and cousins are all racers. It truly is a family affair.

When I was 3 my mom entered me into a local show with my grandma's registered cart horse. I got my own horse in 2012 and showed him for a few years before jumping into a wagon. At 8 years old I raced my first wagon race in Vancouver, BC Canada. After the main races were over me and my buddy Cash would take a couple teams and race. On our way home we stopped in at the Inter-provincial Exhibition at Armstrong, BC where I raced my mom in an official race. That was one of my biggest accomplishments to date. The crowd was so loud cheering me on. I have been wagon help on the World Professional Chuckwagon Assoc (WPCA) alongside my mom as well as gymkhanas and showing miniature horses in local shows.

Charlene and Tyson Bier

This was Tyson's very first race at 8 years old. Tyson's horses are Twenty and Elmo on the lead and Bandit and Bugs on the wheel.

SarahandBishop

A Family tradition….

Since then I've gotten better at driving and my horses have gotten better at racing and I can give the other teams a run for their money. Two of my biggest events were racing at the Jr. All American in Arlington, Texas and the Denver Stock Show. For the past 2 years I have competed at the Calgary Stampede driving Spotted Drafts in the Draft Horse Show. This was a cool experience for me as they are much bigger than our minis or even my saddle horse. I currently help operate the family farm, have a beef and horse project in our local 4H clubs and enjoy dirt biking. In my future I hope to learn to rope and compete in cowboy challenge events and am constantly learning. There is always something new to learn being around horses whether it be driving, riding or otherwise.

Tyson’s most recent event as a driver, Breyerfest 2023 in Lexington, KY. Racing alongside his mom, Charlene Bier.

Emily Dowie

Double Tree FarmsAlberta Canada -

Age 17

My name is Emily Dowie. I live in Vulcan, Alberta, Canada. I am 17 years old and work on my family farm Double Tree Farms. I was born in Calgary, Alberta Canada and raised in the surrounding areas. My loves are dancing and of course horses.

My horse journey started when I was 3 days old. I was taken to my first rodeo in Strathmore, Alberta. I have lived with horses my entire life. My dad, along with my grandpa invented miniature chuckwagon racing back in 1997. During my younger years I got to play with miniature horses and when I was 5 I joined a gymkhana club with my miniature horse named Puck. I also started showing miniature horses. My first show horse was a horse named Boyderosas Skip A Lightning Strike, aka Skip. I won reserve hi-point first year youth. After Skip I got a horse named Circle J North Star aka Little Duke. I won Reserve Hi-point youth driver with him in 2014. My final show horse was a horse named First Knight Extra Special aka Mr. X. With this horse I won my most prized award which was AMHYA Honour Roll Youth Costume in 2017. I showed in local shows as well as The Canadian National Miniature Horse Show at The Calgary Stampede. After my time of showing horses I started in 4-H, I am about to start my 3rd year of 4-H and have so far done a beef, sheep, and a horse project.

SarahandBishop

PicturedaboveisEmily andhersaddlehorse, Pickett.

What it’s like to be a third generation wagon member…

I am a 3rd generation wagon member. I have not picked up the lines to race but I have driven in many parades and I help with the training of new race horses. I have been around the miniature chuckwagon racing my entire life but I didn’t start helping out until I was 9. I became the unofficial arena director at the age of 12. Racing horses is a family affair, as I have cousins, parents, aunts and my grandpa who race. We stay pretty busy all summer long going from place to place to put on a show. Aside from wagon racing I enjoy entering my horse into shows, and I am currently helping to train a couple for young horses we have here. I am hoping to be able to retire my horse in a few years and start with a younger horse to challenge myself.

Emily with her personal horse (Pickett), Dad (Clayton), mom (Alicia), and dog (Flint.)

A Natural Approach to Health for a Happy Horse and Human!

Have you ever thought about using natural remedies and supplements for your equine partner? As a natural horsemanship and natural living mentor, I'm passionate about properly taking care of our equine partners.

Essential oils and holistic products are a great way to show your horse the love they deserve. From emotional support to gut health, sore muscles to cleaning up cuts and scrapes. No matter what you and your pony's goals are, I can help you understand and implement a regimen using safe, natural, and effective products from the inside out.

Interested in learning more?

Email inquiries to onehearthorsemanship@gmail.com

for a FREE virtual consultation to discuss the best products, aids, and supplements for you and your partner to have a thriving relationship.

Charlene Bier Double Tree Farms

My name is Charlene Bier, I’m 38 year old and I live in Vulcan, Alberta Canada. I, along with my family own and operate Double Tree Farms

I was born and raised around Calgary, Alberta Canada. Raised on a farm with a variety of animals. I joined 4H as a peewee at 4 yrs old and carried on until I was 18. From 1998-2000 I was a member of the Calgary Stampede Showriders and the Pete Knight Rodeo Queen in 2000. During my years as a show rider I took an equine tour throughout Europe which was an amazing experience. I have travelled all over Alberta and Saskatchewan with drivers of the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Assoc. (CPCA) and the World Professional Chuckwagon Assoc. (WPCA) chuckwagons as barn help. In the summer of 2000 my dad had started driving miniature chuckwagons and by 2002 I was racing my very own wagon. In between riding and racing I found myself breeding and showing miniature horses as well. Training miniatures to drive comes very natural to me. My favourite horse that I have trained is a black miniature named Maverick. I purchased this horse from an auction mart as a 2yr old. He seemed abused and very afraid of men but I spent so much time trying to befriend him. When I got him to the point in his training to add harness I think he was more accepting of that than of me. He has turned out to be one of the family favourites in our racing herd and currently my son races him. The main ‘man’ in my horse life is my gelding Pepsi. My dad broke this horse as a 4yr old and he showed absolutely no interest in being a race horse. We gave him to a friend who wanted a horse to pleasure drive. Needless to say we got him back the next spring as he had changed his mind. I’ve owned Pepsi for 25 years and he is my main lead horse on my racing wagon. He has been in many parades, gymkhanas with my children and even taken many tours to visit the elderly.

Charlene Bier at BreyerFest driving horses: Pepsi, Junior, Devil and Gizmo

Monicaasalittlegirl

Charlene’s story continued….

My family has spent many hours, days, and years travelling all over North America to showcase our sport. Places we’ve been are the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver, BC Canada, the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario Canada, the Calgary Stampede, PRCA rodeos all over Montana and Idaho, the Denver Stock Show, the Jr. All American in Arlington, Texas and the most recent is BreyerFest in Lexington, Kentucky as well as many many places in between. We enjoy meeting new people and love to show what miniature horses can do.

The first generation of mini chuckwagon drivers: Charlene’s dad, Carl Earl. Horses will be Jeb, Hawk, Seeker and Puck

Double Tree Farms is on Instagram and Facebook or you can contact me at charlene@doubletreefarms.ca

photo credit: Ogden Gigli

Henry, a driving gelding for Double Tree Farms