declared, “That one’s a winner, that one’s keeps their personal well being at the front to come ride with her. She just let me hang
not, that one’s pretty, that one’s not.” of his time with them. He is not only a around and watch,” said Tara speaking
Riding western in her early years changed trainer; he has a heart for kids.” Teaching of her introduction to the Shadowbrook
when her sister, Alexis, started to jump Tara everything and never saying she was business. “I never felt like an outsider but
at shows and Tara was along with the ‘too small’ for anything, Mark injected I never felt like I was being pulled there
family spectators. “MOM-DAD, I want a spirit of horsemanship to this young either, it was a nice way to get to watch
to do that and be an Olympic horseback child. her.”
rider someday!” was her response. Her Mark’s focus was taking him to Panama “Jeni always raises the bar and makes
first lessons were in the Valley with for International competitions and into sure she follows Tara’s goals as they get
Diane Valdez on a BIG bay mare named the Grand Prix rings so Tara was referred higher and higher,” said Peter Spencer.
Contada, but quickly her interest turned on again. The search for a hunter trainer “She always challenges Tara and doesn’t
to English after seeing her older sister, close to home began as Tara defined allow her to stagnate. In Jeni’s mind there
Alexis, compete jumping. goals of riding in the Medal Finals, is nothing Tara can’t do, maybe not right
The problem for the family was finding going to the Pony Finals and winning now but someday if she wants. That’s
a trainer who would take a five year old some equitations. Stephanie Haney took probably why they are such a great fit
and her goals seriously. For that matter the reins, on a temporary basis, and was together. Jeni watches for an opportunity
it was difficult to locate a trainer who instrumental in assisting the family in their for Tara to catch ride and even though it
would take a five year old seriously at search. Stephanie was also instrumental may be with another trainer, Jeni sets her
all. Finding their way to Tom Blakiston, in contacting Rosy Reed who actually personal feelings aside and makes those a
they found the information they wanted. gave Tara her first ‘catch ride’ on a pony reality. She is always the first on board to
“I am not the trainer for you but Mark named ‘Brave Heart’ for the hack class. send Tara to ride with someone else at a
Watring is who you want! He will take Tara placed 4th, putting her on the map show she can’t attend, that is refreshing
this child. ” said Tom to the family. Thus and instilling a desire for more! and one of the main reasons we are there.
began a trainer client relationship that “I saw Jeni Brown around the shows I cannot compliment her enough for her
created a solid basis for a family new to and I have friends that ride there. Even flexible ability and putting Tara’s best
this industry. though I wasn’t a part of that barn, I was interest foremost of all.”
“Mark has great ethics and morals and with them and around them so much that As time has gone on, Tara’s resume is
is just overall a really nice guy,” said Peter I was sort of a part of it anyway. Jenny now growing with what she considers
Spencer. “He takes the kids to heart and was always nice to me but never asked me her ‘clients’ with ponies who need a
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