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Diane F. Tanner -
In joining the board of the RFVHC, I hope to assist however I can as the RFVHC looks towards the future. I hope to help increase exposure and awareness to the broader community as we work to preserve, promote and protect our western heritage across all disciplines. I look forward to being a part of the RFVHC continuing and strengthening its role as being the trusted resource and unified voice in this remarkable equine community. Back Ground |
From about the age of 4, I was fortunate to be able to occasionally visit a working cattle ranch with my family, and from the first time I was lifted up and put in a western saddle on the back of the ranch manager's horse, I felt at home.
I started English riding lessons in grade school and soon was spending every moment at a small, local barn, where, in addition to taking lessons and competing in local shows, everyone was required to share in the general care of the horses, barn chores ,etc. We worked as a community, and I knew that the 'horse" community would always be my "happy place".
I moved on from there to a show barn where I rode and competed on every lesson horse until finally my parents said I could have a horse of my own. Best. Day. Ever. We competed all over New England in Children's Equitation and Children's Working Hunter, finishing often as Champion or Reserve Champion. I give all credit to my trainer/mentor and my horse-both giving me the skills and confidence to keep growing.
In order to advance in competition, I had to move on to another horse - this time a green thoroughbred. We competed on the "A" circuit, showing 2nd Year Green Working Hunters and Small Junior Hunters. We qualified for all of the national events, including the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden, and finished 5th in the country in Small Junior Hunters. Once out of the Juniors, my trainers suggested I turn pro, but I chose to finish college and competed in Amateur/Owner events as time allowed but eventually, I decided to retire my horse from competition.
Following graduation, I moved to NYC where I worked in Corporate Marketing for several magazine publishing and media corporations, always wondering how and when I could get horses back into my life, 'full time' and found a chance to ride Western or English, whenever and wherever I could. During that time, I had the opportunity to ride a cutting horse, and I knew I would somehow, some way, need to ride one again. A move to the Bay Area presented that opportunity when I found a trainer near San Francisco--a few lessons turned into my finding an experienced cutting horse who was at the end of his career (the perfect teacher for me). We competed in shows through the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association (PCCHA) in and around Northern California. While in the Bay Area, I was working from home as a Marketing/PR consultant for a non-profit and also actively volunteered with a therapeutic riding organization-a life changing, and heartwarming way to keep horses in my life.
When we relocated to Snowmass Village, I immediately found WindWalkers, where I have been actively involved for three years. One day,about two years ago, I finally decided to 'look around casually' for a horse again just for pleasure and trails, and now somehow, I have two. Funny how that happens!
I have loved exploring trails and immersing myself if the western lifestyle and horse community here in the RFV and look forward to many more years ahead of exploring trails and treasuring friendships made through this equine community.
I started English riding lessons in grade school and soon was spending every moment at a small, local barn, where, in addition to taking lessons and competing in local shows, everyone was required to share in the general care of the horses, barn chores ,etc. We worked as a community, and I knew that the 'horse" community would always be my "happy place".
I moved on from there to a show barn where I rode and competed on every lesson horse until finally my parents said I could have a horse of my own. Best. Day. Ever. We competed all over New England in Children's Equitation and Children's Working Hunter, finishing often as Champion or Reserve Champion. I give all credit to my trainer/mentor and my horse-both giving me the skills and confidence to keep growing.
In order to advance in competition, I had to move on to another horse - this time a green thoroughbred. We competed on the "A" circuit, showing 2nd Year Green Working Hunters and Small Junior Hunters. We qualified for all of the national events, including the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden, and finished 5th in the country in Small Junior Hunters. Once out of the Juniors, my trainers suggested I turn pro, but I chose to finish college and competed in Amateur/Owner events as time allowed but eventually, I decided to retire my horse from competition.
Following graduation, I moved to NYC where I worked in Corporate Marketing for several magazine publishing and media corporations, always wondering how and when I could get horses back into my life, 'full time' and found a chance to ride Western or English, whenever and wherever I could. During that time, I had the opportunity to ride a cutting horse, and I knew I would somehow, some way, need to ride one again. A move to the Bay Area presented that opportunity when I found a trainer near San Francisco--a few lessons turned into my finding an experienced cutting horse who was at the end of his career (the perfect teacher for me). We competed in shows through the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association (PCCHA) in and around Northern California. While in the Bay Area, I was working from home as a Marketing/PR consultant for a non-profit and also actively volunteered with a therapeutic riding organization-a life changing, and heartwarming way to keep horses in my life.
When we relocated to Snowmass Village, I immediately found WindWalkers, where I have been actively involved for three years. One day,about two years ago, I finally decided to 'look around casually' for a horse again just for pleasure and trails, and now somehow, I have two. Funny how that happens!
I have loved exploring trails and immersing myself if the western lifestyle and horse community here in the RFV and look forward to many more years ahead of exploring trails and treasuring friendships made through this equine community.