About Dave

Dave was born and raised in Colorado where at an early age his love for horses became quite apparent to his citified parents. In his early years, Dave spent summers on a family cattle ranch located in the Sand Hills of Nebraska. These early experiences on the ranch, riding horses and working cattle, only solidified his interest in horses and the livestock industry.

At the age of 10, Dave started competing in Little Britches rodeo, and began his relationship with Preston Houtchens, and Tom Ragsdale. Preston and Tom were two prominent horse trainers and dealers in Colorado during the 60s, and 70s. From the age of 10 through High School, Dave worked for these individuals straightening out horses, starting colts, and showing horses in the sale ring at the many country auctions that were prevalent at the time.

To complement his relationship with Tom and Preston, Dave furthered his experience and knowledge by involving himself in varied activities prior to graduating from High School. He spent 4 consecutive summers starting colts for the Peppy Blue Dot Ranch in Parker, Colorado. Being slight in weight and stature, Dave was also fortunate to spend time working for several top trainers at the old Centennial race track, as an apprentice jockey and trainer. Many evenings were also spent riding turn back horses under the watchful eye of cutting horse trainer, Jim Warner. Dave also found the time to start and run his own horse business, which involved buying and selling horses, starting colts, and helping folks with problem horses. And last but not least, Dave competed for several years on the High School Rodeo team, qualifying each year for the State Finals.

Dave entered Colorado State University in 1972 to further his knowledge in the equine and livestock industry. Attending the Ag-college, Dave took every equine class they had to offer, and successfully graduated in 1978 with a bachelors degree in animal nutrition, and a masters degree in agricultural economics. During his college days, Dave stayed active by competing in college rodeos, working each summer as a wrangler on the annual "Roundup Riders of the Rockies" ten day trail ride, and starting colts for a local horse breeder.

Relocating to Arizona after college, Dave pursued a career in Ag-banking while at the same time keeping his passion for horses intact by studying and mentoring from the early pioneers of natural horsemanship, and applying these skills to his colt starting program. The "Just Right Horsemanship" training techniques incorporate Dave's many years of experience with that of modern "Natural Horsemanship." Dave's practical and personal program is applied to all facets of his business, from schools and clinics, to horse training and problem solving, to colt starting.