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Lorrie & Angel 4H State Show, 1995
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As any avid equestrian, one would say they have been riding for as long as they can remember. That is the case with Lorrie. She began riding as a child, her first memory of a horse was at the age of two when her mothers horse was being trimmed at the back of a red pick up truck. Her mother confirms this with photos of her standing right there in the ferrier's way. They also had a pony, Goldie, who liked to climb up on the back porch in search of treats.
Later, around the age of nine she began to really get serious about riding. She would go to the barn and work just to see the horses. Then she earned trail rides. There was one condition though, Lorrie wasn't allowed to ride in a saddle until she learned how to balance well enough to canter bareback. After that, she began to ride in an english saddle.
Throughout the years Lorrie has had the opportunity to own several nice horses. One of these horses was a 20 year old, half blind quarter horse mare, named Little Bit O' Angel. Angel took Lorrie through the levels. She rode hunters and jumpers, barrel raced with her and also took her to the 4H State Horse Show in Deerfield, NH in 1995.
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Lorrie & Cleo at Sharpton Stables, 1996
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She parted ways with Angel when she moved to Florida with her family. There she found several horses to exercise and train while looking for another horse of her own. She purchased Cleo, an appendix mare. Lorrie and Cleo went to lots of local shows. She did hunters, jumpers and dressage. This photo is at a 3-day event in Ocala, Florida. Lorrie was still involved in 4H at this time and she brought Cleo everywhere she went.
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Lorrie & Ellie WVSC, July 4, 1997
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Lorrie also enjoyed barrel racing and other timed events. Since she didn't have a horse that ran barrels, she teamed up with Ellie for the game events. Ellie was owned by a friend and was your general back yard "pet". Ellie was never taken to a barrel show in her life, but once Lorrie saw her she knew she would get the job done based on her size, confirmation and great attitude. Lorrie was able to train Ellie on the pattern using imaginary barrels in a hay field. The owners did not have a riding arena, nor a set of barrels to practice with. It all worked out great. Together Lorrie and Ellie set arena records at the West Volusia Saddle Club 4th of July Show in Lake Helen, FL. in 1997.
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Lorrie & Novina at The Poulins, 2003
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Eventually Lorrie found The School of Dressage in DeLeon Springs, Fl, and held the position as a working student for Michael and Sharon Poulin. Lorrie put in many hours mucking stalls, grooming horses, and tacking horses for the Poulins. You have no choice but to be a sponge and absorb everything being taught to you. Even if it is just a particular way to sweep the floor. Riding with the Poulins was a priceless experience, one that Lorrie will never forget. She only wishes it could have lasted longer.
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Lorrie & Novina at Pine Ridge Stables, 2003
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Lorrie moved to Aiken, SC. in January 2003. She boarded her horse, Novina, at Pine Ridge Stables. Novina still gets to enjoy the lush pastures there and has had a couple of outstanding foals. Lorrie took some time off and started a family with her husband Joe. They have two boys, Logan age 6 and Shane age 4. They are also expecting their 3rd child, a baby girl, due in October 2010.
Besides Horse Sense Plus, Lorrie is involved in her community as a volunteer for Fotas Aiken, Friends of the Animal Shelter as the website administrator. She is a full time student seeking her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Administration. Lorrie also works for The Aiken Horse as an advertising sales associate.
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Spice Nov. 16, 2008 the morning after she arrived at my farm.
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This is Spice, the mare that Lorrie rescued in November 2008. She was in really rough shape when Lorrie got her. As you can see from this photo... She weighed just 623 lbs. in November 2008. Spice is a 14.2 H Quarter Horse, she should be weigh at least 950 lbs. By February 2009 Spice had gained almost 300 lbs! She kept track of her progress weekly because when she first arrived she really was not sure Spice was going to pull through.
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Spice in February 2009, finally got a warm day to give her a bath.
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"I am glad that she did though. She is a great horse at only 5 years old I have many years ahead to enjoy her. My kids enjoy her too, she is an absolute pleasure to be around and work with. I am looking forward to getting her to some local shows next year. Today, Spice is about 1,000 lbs. She could stand to lose a little weight! But I am working her about 4 times a week, so she'll tone up nice and have some reserves for the winter." (lol)
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Soon, Lorrie hopes to have her barn built for Sullivan Equestrian Center, a non-profit program. This is a project that Lorrie is passionate about; making it possible for kids to learn to ride and high school or college students to board their horses at reduced rates. It is hard enough to focus on school alone never mind your equestrian career and the financial responsibility of owning a horse. "I want to make it easier for our young riders to be successful - after all they are our future."
Lorrie will be looking for a few more nice horses to use in her lesson program for Sullivan Equestrian Center. The plan is start building the barn this winter. "I know once I have those empty stalls I will get horsie fever. We need horses and ponies that kids can work with. Basically we need horses that have good ground manners, will stand on cross ties to be bathed and groomed, load in the trailer to go to shows, etc. I am willing to work with the right horse(s) to get them to the level they need to be at for using with my students. Safety is my number one concern."
Meet Doc San Taylor, "Tay-Tay," She is the newest addition to our lesson program. Right now she is due to have a foal in March 2011, so she is just enjoying her life of eating with basically no work. She is pictured here with Spice grazing. They are best buddies now and Lorrie is really excited about working with her next year.
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Lorrie and her family. A silly photo taken with the web cam.
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