MY STORY

Kelci Martinez

When it comes to achieving my goals I am no stranger. Since I was young I have written down my goals and done everything I could to achieve them. I enjoy watching myself grow and being an inspiration to those around me.

In 2012 at the young age of 11 years old I began horse lessons. Not long after, almost 1 year on the dot, I became a horse owner. My first mare, Freedom, was not an easy one, she was 3 years old, abused, neglected and fearful of everyone and everything. I was no where near ready for a horse like this... many people- including my own father- told that I should rehome her, give her back, sell her and just get rid of her! I could not do this as I was determined to prove everyone wrong. No one told me anything new, I knew the day I watched this horse run right over the top of an experienced trainer that she was a handful, but, I also saw something in her no one else could see before we got to work. A few short months, a few mentors and a few lessons later this mare became everything everyone could want. She is not the fastest nor can she jump the highest but she is sturdy, reliable and tries her heart out. This mare gave me my foundation and my drive to work with troubled horses.

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In 2016 I received a gelding, Kirby, who sure did test my strength not only physically but mentally as well as emotionally. He made me feel as if I had no clue what I was doing and didn’t belong where I was. My aunt, who bought this horse for me, considered selling him. As terrible as he made me feel I could not give up on him. Once again, I had many mentors, many lessons, and lots of hard work ahead of me. Through all this brought this incredible horse out. This horse is now my best friend and most trusted partner. My hard work and perseverance shined through once again to better me and my horse in the end.

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These two horses unknowingly paved the way to what I may now call MY business. They taught me what it truly takes to be great. Freedom and Kirby introduced me to incredible mentors including Ashley Dudas, Ryan Rose, Wylene Wilson, Becky Mahoney and Janet Hoo who each taught me their way of training and the way of the horse. Through these lessons I learned true horsemanship: how to read their energy, how to balance the points of the horse (drive line, etc.) and much more. Janet Hoo mentored me in my young age as well as gave me my first shot hiring me as an instructor for her lesson program (Kira’s Dream Horses). She later gave me another shot training and legging up her horses for 30 days. Beyond work, Mrs. Hoo was also my professor at Scottsdale Community College in my pursuit for an equine science degree. Without these 5 incredible horse men and women I would not be where I am.