I found Dallas’ barn by accident as part of my “Lisa gets a life at 40 program.” After an 18 year break from riding, I started with horsemanship lessons and over the last three years, I have grown from a timid horsewoman (afraid for example of hoofs scraping on concrete) with a risk-averse attitude to completely comfortable on the ground and confident in the saddle (well, most of the time). Dallas refuses to accept that you “can’t.” Sometimes with serious directness, sometimes with humor and always with a sincere desire to make you better, he pushes both you and your horse to achieve (see Waylon’s thoughts on Dallas). My personal growth directly related to being part of “Team Dallas” is not limited to riding. I had never imagined driving a truck, pulling a trailer or learning the hard way far too much about laminitis. Dallas was there not only to chuckle at my first attempt to park my new truck in a busy parking lot (then show me how to do it with coasters on a table in a bar) but also to make the painful but right decision to put Frosty down after doing all we could together to save him. Team Dallas extends beyond riding lessons and horse training to friendships created by a shared love for horses and an appreciation for good people. Dallas expects us all, horses and riders, to TRY. He also wants us to have FUN - and we do!
- Lisa
When other trainers said I wouldn’t make it, Dallas took me and made me into a winner. Together we were the 2008 AzRHA Open High Point Champions. I’m glad he had the skills and patience to bring out the best in me.
- Waylon (5 year old gelding)
About four months ago, I set hoof in Dallas’ barn for the first time. Being somewhat green and it being my first “barn” experience, I was not quite sure what to expect. My name is Pepper and I am a four year old mare. Generally, I try to assume a dominant role in situations, however, since my arrival, I have learned to play well with others, collect and control myself, and accept what the rider is asking me to do. My brother Zeke, a three year old gelding, came to the barn with me and he is doing great too. Our mother Connie got so excited about our progress that she decided she wanted to do more riding herself so she let Dallas find her a GREAT riding partner and now we have another brother in the barn named Bear who is nine years old and knows his job really well. Between the three of us, we don’t have enough hooves to count how old mom is but to be honest, age doesn’t matter because people from 7 to 70 come to our barn for lessons and to enjoy a great equine experience. Dallas is patient with us, gives us enough challenge to keep us interested, enough success to keep us motivated and enough jokes to keep us happy. Zeke, Bear and I love this place and the skills we are learning. We have great food and lots of nutrition so that our coats sparkle. We get blankets every night and regular baths during the week. All of us in the barn get turnout time and our stalls are cleaned every day. The people in our barn are cooperative, respectful of each other and the horses, have fun riding, reining, and always laugh a lot. Dallas is the best!! He takes his job seriously and can be seen everyday at the barn riding from sun-up till after dark, training both people and horses. Connie likes it so much she comes for a lesson or to see us and her other barn friends almost every day. There may be many barns in town, but Dallas’ scores no less than a 75 (for those of you who aren’t familiar with reining scores, a 70 is perfect and he beats that)! Thanks Dallas...You've made us all better partners!
- Pepper, Zeke, Bear and Connie
We like that Dallas doesn’t think he’s too tough to give scratches and nose rubs!
- All the horses at the barn
After interviewing several trainers around the area, I arrived at Dallas’ barn and quickly knew it was going to be the right place for my young mare Aspen and me. We needed someone with the perfect mix of skill, patience and humor to keep us growing and learning while still having FUN. The unique thing about Dallas is that he is a highly skilled, competitive trainer but he has not lost the love for horses or coaching. He knows the unique personalities and needs of each horse and client and takes excellent care of all of us. We work hard in our lessons but laugh a lot too. I am very pleased with and proud of the job Dallas has done with Aspen and I look forward to her showing soon. I also have a finished reining horse at the barn named Joli. Dallas is teaching me to be a reiner on her and I am having a blast in the process. Nothing is more rewarding than feeling a true partnership with your horse and mastering new skills. About a year ago, I hardly knew what part of the horse to put the saddle on and now I am about to compete in my first reining show. Dallas has worked wonders with us and become a good friend in the process. In fact, the barn is full of other riders I now call friends. I SIMPLY LOVE OUR BARN COMMUNITY!
- Kelly D.
Dallas, do you think the reason we get along so well is because the white spots on my sides match the top of your head? Thanks for being such a great teacher. I love being one of your students and I would highly recommend you to my equine friends!
- Aspen (5 year old mare)
After dealing with some serious health issues, I found myself feeling less courageous about many things (including riding). This was bothersome to me and I wanted to conquer it. Dallas was truly a gift in this endeavor because he used his coaching and wisdom to help me overcome my barriers both in the saddle and out. Few trainers would have the ability or desire to address the physical and emotional needs of a client. He helped me improve my riding but more importantly, he restored my confidence which carries over into all aspects of my life. Dallas also coaches my 13 year old daughter who competes in reining. I can’t even begin to express how much the younger people (including my daughter) love working with Dallas; they wouldn’t go anywhere else. He sets the bar high for my daughter and pushes her to get there but also knows when to ease up and be supportive. They enjoy a relationship of mutual respect and playfulness. As a mother, it is great to see the life lessons of responsibility, work-ethic, self-esteem and drive my daughter gets out of being involved in this sport. It is a healthy activity that keeps her focused on positive things.
- Heidi
All those derbies were sure fun this year. I'd say we were quite the pair - even making it into the top 10 in the world together. However, I wasn't very amused when you made me wear a mullet in the freestyle event - all my friends were there. Not funny, just not funny......okay, it was kind of funny!
- Otis (6 year old gelding)
I began taking riding lessons from Dallas January, 2007. Right away, he began teaching me about safety and continues to do so today. I am a much better rider now than two years ago, however, it seems the more I ride, the more I need to know. It’s a continual process of refinement. Here it is 2 years later and I now own 2 horses. In both purchases, Dallas was instrumental in pairing me up with the “best fit” horse. I feel I hit the jackpot in both cases! I truly adore my first horse (Frazee) and immediately fell in love with my new horse Otis (and so did the rest of the barn). Don’t let his name turn you off…I considered changing it, but “Otis” just seems to be the name that suits him! He is truly a remarkable animal. I am fortunate to be able to ride often. I continue to look forward to each ride (pleasure or training). My experiences have brought to light patience, spirituality and tranquility. All that I have achieved and become was fostered through Dallas and my horses.
- Dawn
I hope we have a happy future together in all these upcoming futurities! I'm trying to follow in my big bro Otis' hooveprints and make you proud!
- Denzel (3 year old gelding)
