BLOG

Student Stories – August 2024 Classes

We are excited to introduce the new students attending our John & Josh Lyons Certification and Josh Lyons Accreditation classes at Boon Ranch! These students will alternate working with Josh over the next two months. Take a minute to meet our new crop of students, learn about their history, favorite horses and future goals. We are proud to welcome this group to the Lyons Legacy Family!

Tacie Hatch

Azure Sky Miniature American Shepherds

Hi, I am Tacie Hatch. I am excited to be one of Josh’s certified trainers! I plan to train and show reining horses as well as barrel horses. When I was 11 years old, I had the opportunity to ride with Josh for a few days. During those days he offered me a scholarship to his certification program for when I turned 16. I rode and trained at home, as well as with Josh a few times, in that 5 year waiting period. Seeing Josh’s performance horses and even being able to ride a couple helped me fall in love with Josh’s training methods and the sport of reining even more! The horse I am most excited about right now is ‘Arizona’. She is a young reining bred filly that is sired by Gunners Special Nite and out of a Grays Starlight bred mare. I can’t wait to take all that I’m learning in the certification class and be able to apply it to the training for Arizona! Thank you Josh for helping me gain the skills and knowledge necessary to reach my dreams!

Jay Buller

Copper Sun Horseworks

Jay Buller here, myself and Melissa Buffington both own and run Copper Sun Horseworks, a horse training as well as horse transport company. We operate out of Smithville, Arkansas. I attended the accreditation program in 2022 and am now currently in the certification class. The future plans for our business is to create and grow our horse training side of the business. Right now we start and train quite a few colts a year for private clients as well as start and train our own colts to sell to the public. Our hauling side of the business keeps us busy about one week out of every month when we focus on providing equine transport coast to coast. I chose Lyons legacy as my primary means of continuing education mostly due to the fact that the methods and ideas of Josh and his father as well just plain work. The performance side of things with Josh just really stood out to me as well as the fact that he put a comprehensive 4 week course together to get us students on the right track. My favorite horse so far has been, oddly enough, a hot little cowy 4 year old gelding called Bandit. He puts 110 percent into everything he does, including the bad stuff! He’s a real challenge to get through because of that and just really pushed my knowledge, skill and temper beyond what I thought my limits were. I’m looking forward to using my new found knowledge in my personal program.

Alexan Woodard

Woodard Classics Equine LLC

My name is Alexan Woodard, and I am the proud owner of Woodard Classics Equine LLC. My husband and I are a dual military family currently transitioning out of service to dedicate ourselves fully to our passion: the horse industry. Throughout my journey, I’ve prioritized continuous education, firmly believing in the motto, “If your trainer doesn’t have a trainer, get a new one.” Learning never stops, and I strive to embody that philosophy.

In my equine career, I aim to provide tailored training programs that address the unique needs of each horse, offering my clients a wealth of diverse knowledge. I chose Lyons Legacy for its stellar reputation and dedication to working with veterans, which aligns perfectly with my values.

One of my greatest teachers has been my first owned horse, Doc, an Appaloosa I purchased eight years ago. When I met him, he had a 100% buck-off rate and was largely misunderstood. However, we formed a strong bond, and he has since become a reliable partner, even carrying my children. Doc has traveled extensively with me, more than many people ever do, and has been instrumental in shaping my passion for horses. He taught me that kindness always wins.

I am eagerly anticipating the start of the Lyons Legacy Accreditation program on August 19th, ready to take the next step in my journey.

Alisha Anderson

Breakthrough Horsemanship

Www.breakthroughhorsemanship.com

Hey! My future plans are to sell horses that I’ve trained through my program that are consistent, reliable, and enjoyable rope horses. I chose Lyons Legacy again because the Accreditation program was amazing! In the last 6 months, I’ve been able to use the methods I learned with Josh to better riders of all backgrounds. His methods are efficient and they work. I have been providing private lessons and plan to continue offering private lessons and clinics in the future.

My favorite horse is by far SoCo. Yes, she’s named after Southern Comfort! I got her as a halter broke 2 yr old and she’s been through so much with me while I’ve learned along the way. She’s my travel companion and my test dummy for every crazy idea of mine. I’m excited to attend Certification this year and I can’t wait to meet you all!

Teresa Speer

Rocking Speer Ranch, LLP Horse Training

Rockingspeerranch.com

I am currently a part time horse trainer and want to be able to launch my horse training career into full time. I currently race with the BBR and was going to go to the World Finals, however I chose to attend the Certification class this past April! I am now returning to complete the Accreditation class. I currently have my degree in Equine Science in Training, however, I chose Lyons Legacy to further my career in training for several reasons. The school I attended did not teach us how to start a colt and even though I have been successful, I want to learn how to be more efficient. I believe foundation and horsemanship are the fundamentals of creating a great horse. My friend Alisha Anderson went to the Accreditation class and told me how fantastic the school was. Trusting my friend having first hand experience, I wanted to experience it for myself. And last but not least who is my favorite horse? Well that is a difficult question. I have several that I love: Bee, my finished barrel horse, is one in a million. She is blind in one eye, but yet she gets the job done with ease. You can throw a kid or inexperienced person on her and she goes down to their level, it’s an amazing sight to witness. Then there is Moonshine, who I am bringing to the program. This horse is 3 and acts as if she is 15; after 30 days of training I was able to shoot a gun off her back! So with that being said that is a loaded question on who is my favorite horse, because quite frankly I love most horses!

Michael NeVille

My name is Michael and I have traveled from Northbrook, Illinois to pursue the Josh Lyons Accreditation program. My horse career hasn’t even begun! I am just trying to stay in the saddle and learn as much as possible. Under Josh’s amazing instruction I know I can gain the skills I need to move forward in the horse industry. I am also looking forward to the networking opportunities with my fellow classmates to help refine the direction I plan to pursue. My favorite horse is Denny, the Buckskin in The Man from Snowy River. I chose Lyons Legacy because I want to learn it right the first time!

Kristie Thornley

My goals are all over the place, but changing horses from being an expense to income, is a common denominator; as is a desire to help people enjoy their horses more. My horses are beautiful to me and my goal with them is to learn how to train for their potential. They are bred for barrels, because a few years ago, I thought I’d like to raise, train, and sell barrel horses along with lessons of how to ride them in the selling deal. I believe a barrel horse needs the emotional training of a reining horse. It needs the obedience and discipline to run hard and then make perfect circles. However, after watching Josh, reining has become more and more interesting to me, and I find my interests are drifting to reining. No surprise right? The horse is a great gift from God, and it’s important to me to use His gift to help others. Through the horse, we get know God’s Son better.

Earn Your Lyons Legacy Certificate

2024 classes at our Arizona & Colorado campuses are accepting registration! The John & Josh Lyons Certification Program dates are August 4th – 29th – this program focuses on starting horses under saddle. The Josh Lyons Accreditation Program dates are September 1st – 26th – this program focuses on finishing work and higher level performance concepts. The L1 & L2 programs in AZ will run together from April 14th to May 9th. Register Now and start living your dream!

BLOG

Student Stories – August 2024 Classes

Tacie Hatch

Jay Buller

Alexan Woodard

Alisha Anderson

Teresa Speer

Michael NeVille

Kristie Thornley

Earn Your Lyons Legacy Certificate

PROGRAMS

CLINICS

ADMISSIONS

STORE

CONTACT

HOURS