02/07/2026
How does one encapsulate the eight greatest years of their life?
It is with a bittersweet heart that I announce I will no longer be teaching here in Lemoore, CA. After spending the last 24 years of my life here in the Central Valley,, we are embarking onto the next chapter of our lives in Reno, NV. I had hoped continue to teach throughout the summer until our home was completed, but alas, a broken leg has given my life an unexpected twist.
When I met Bob in 2018, I had one lesson horse named Texas, one helmet, and two students. We didn’t have a hitching post, an arena barn, not so much as a tack room. We literally were starting from scratch.
I taught from a plowed field with no fencing. Texas, (my right hand number one lesson horse), would routinely gallop home with a beginner on his back yelling “whoa Texas, Whoa!” I’d laugh so hard, go get him and bring them back. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body, and would never hurt his rider. The fact was, he lived to teach those kids.
And those riders eventually learned to whoa. 😝
Covid came, and my tiny student body of 7 students blossomed into 82 students…A week.
Our ranch flourished, and so did our stables. We went from one lesson horse, to 18. Most folks hated Covid. Not us- it brought hundreds of strangers together, and we said “piss off” to the Govt as we rode, gathered together, and continued to live our best lives.
It would be horribly remiss of me to not talk about my equine partners.
Some the greatest horses of my time- the greatest working partners that have ever lived…also died on this ranch.
Texas, Charlie Bandit, Doc, Pepper, Barbie, Jake, Cheerio-your legacy lives on through your students. Hundreds of little cowboys and cowgirls will remember you, as I always will. The remaining of my lesson horses will go with us and continue their teaching in the mountains of Reno.
My bestest dogs also lived, and died here- Sophie, Brutus, Haley, and Batman. They were my loves and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about them. Best ranch dogs ever.
It has been my greatest honor and privilege to have been so blessed to teach in this amazing community. You trusted and believed in me, sometimes when I didn’t always believe in myself. I never took anyone’s trust for granted.
This ranch would never have grown the way it has without the greatest partner of all time- our Mr. Bob. He always accepted my visions and never once held me back from living for my dream and sharing my passion for horses. It’s an honor to be your wife.
Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers over the years, and to all the friends, family, and clients that continued to believe and support my program. Many thanks to all our our devoted 2,000 +followers on here, I appreciate you all!
One of my favorite sayings in life is “it takes a village.
I have had the very best of the village for the last few years, and the most incredible barn family an old cowgirl could ask for. Saying “see you later” is by far one of the most painful things I will ever have to do.
Many of my students have grown up here and being a part of their lives, watching them grow, mature, and blossom has been one of my greatest joys. They are like my own kids, their family is my family.
I love you all of you guys. Always and forever.
Sonya and the HBR Gang
***please feel free to share photos. Memories are the one thing we get to take with us forever. 💕
