A Life with Horses

My journey with horses began at age 12 while living in San Francisco. My family kept my first  horse at the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park, and I would ride my bike from 23rd Avenue to the stables every day. My early mentors included the police officers at the Mounted Police stables next to Golden Gate Stables and a sulky horse trainer, Wilfred Roberts. My first horse, Chubby, was a retired lesson horse from the St. Francis Riding School in San Francisco.

 

When we moved to Atherton, CA, I had horses at home and, by age 15, began working at the TMcD Ranch in Philo, teaching children the fundamentals of riding. The children stayed for three weeks at a time, each caring for their own horse during their stay. That same year, I put on my first horseshoe—a milestone in my hands-on education with horses. I spent many summers as a wrangler at the ranch, guiding guests on trail rides and overnight pack trips. At times, we led over 40 horses down trails and across rivers, encountering the challenges that come with the terrain—horses going off-trail, getting stuck in ditches, or escaping in the night. It was here that I learned invaluable skills from seasoned cowboys, shaping my ability to handle and care for horses in real-world situations.

 

My introduction to polo came through my veterinary mentors, Dr. Bill Linfoot and Dr. Janet Linfoot. While in graduate school for animal science at UC Davis, I founded the UC Davis Polo Club, which has since won 14 national championships.

 

For decades, I have lived and breathed the equestrian world—not just as a rider, but as a horseman, veterinarian, and educator. My experience spans competitive equestrian sports, horsemanship education, and hands-on horse care. Today, as an emeritus faculty member, I continue this lifelong connection with horses, focusing on the many animal welfare issues involving horses and caring for my own at home with my family.