Peet Equestrian
Howard & Erica Peet
Howard has been a part of the horse world for the past 18 years. He started his life with horses in California, at the age of 21, as a hunter jumper. With the help of his faithful horse Bold Jester, Howard learned how to ride. He went from being as green as grass to jumping as high as 4'9''. This was just the beginning. Howard had the bug. His goal was to become the best all around trainer he could be. This meant working and learning from the best. To do this he applied for a job at The Park, run by Bruce Howard. Bruce did not need a new hire, but Howard would not take "no" for an answer. He persisted for a couple of weeks. Finally, Bruce decided to put Howard through some tests to see what he could do. It involved driving three andalusian stallions under Bruce's care. Each horse presented Howard with a different challenge. Howard stuck it out and managed to complete the tests with flying colors, to Bruce's surprise. For the next three years Howard learned as much as he could from Bruce, from driving and riding to preparation and care of the horses.
In 1997, Howard would have his first go at competing. He went to the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association National Show in Fort Worth, TX. He showed well enough to earn some reserve titles and top five titles under saddle and driving. Not too bad for a first-timer. It also earned him the Rookie Trainer of the Year award through the association. What is showed him though, was that he needed to learn more. This took him to Indiana for a couple of years. There he learned how to train a halter horse from great Arabian horse trainers such as Keith Krichkie, Danny Burgren and Joe Polo. He also increased his western pleasure knowledge, from Jody Strand, and his saddle seat knowledge, from Bill Matton.
Howard decided to start his own business in 1999. He worked at a coffee shop until he set up shop and gained new clients in Cedar City, Utah. What an experience. Not only did the business blossom, but he had a blast doing it. He trained everything that walked through the gate. Miniatures, quarter horses, paso finos, arabians, paints, andalusians, fresians, and even fjords. It was amazing and quite the learning process as well.
In 1997, Howard would have his first go at competing. He went to the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association National Show in Fort Worth, TX. He showed well enough to earn some reserve titles and top five titles under saddle and driving. Not too bad for a first-timer. It also earned him the Rookie Trainer of the Year award through the association. What is showed him though, was that he needed to learn more. This took him to Indiana for a couple of years. There he learned how to train a halter horse from great Arabian horse trainers such as Keith Krichkie, Danny Burgren and Joe Polo. He also increased his western pleasure knowledge, from Jody Strand, and his saddle seat knowledge, from Bill Matton.
Howard decided to start his own business in 1999. He worked at a coffee shop until he set up shop and gained new clients in Cedar City, Utah. What an experience. Not only did the business blossom, but he had a blast doing it. He trained everything that walked through the gate. Miniatures, quarter horses, paso finos, arabians, paints, andalusians, fresians, and even fjords. It was amazing and quite the learning process as well.
In 2002, Howard partnered up with Erica. It quickly became clear that together they could accomplish anything they put their minds to. They even ended up showing at the IALHA in 2003 & 2004 while in Utah. In 2004, Howard won his first two national titles, both in dressage. Again, he was recognized by the association, and was given the Professional Horseman of the Year award. It was a great honor for Howard to be recognized by the people he had looked up to and respected.
While in Utah, Howard had a client, Johnny Briggner, who was interested in the Single Action Shooting Society. After some persuasion, Howard broke Johnny's horse, Walker, to be driven in cart, by Howard, while Johnny fired a gun at targets. It turned out to be more fun then Howard had imagined. So, in 2005 they went to the SASS End of Trail competition in New Mexico. Howard and Johnny (and Walker) took first place, earning a World Championship in driven, single action shooting! Again, what an experience.
From 2006 through 2009, Howard and Erica worked as resident trainers for Rothrock Andalusians and partnered with Spanish Legacy Andalusians. Over those 4 years they would earn a total of 51 National Grand Championships, 20 Reserve National Championships, and 4 Futurity Championships. In addition, in 2008 Erica was recognized by the IALHA and was given the award as the Rookie Trainer of the Year!
The best part of it all was that they didn't do it alone. For the first time they had a team, with amateur and youth competitors, who they taught, and then watched as they earned their titles as well. What a rewarding feeling!
With 2010 approaching, Howard and Erica are again starting a new adventure. Howard is going to start up his own training business again, in the Salt Lake City, UT area. So, if you are interested in placing your horse with him, or have questions, please feel free to get in touch!
While in Utah, Howard had a client, Johnny Briggner, who was interested in the Single Action Shooting Society. After some persuasion, Howard broke Johnny's horse, Walker, to be driven in cart, by Howard, while Johnny fired a gun at targets. It turned out to be more fun then Howard had imagined. So, in 2005 they went to the SASS End of Trail competition in New Mexico. Howard and Johnny (and Walker) took first place, earning a World Championship in driven, single action shooting! Again, what an experience.
From 2006 through 2009, Howard and Erica worked as resident trainers for Rothrock Andalusians and partnered with Spanish Legacy Andalusians. Over those 4 years they would earn a total of 51 National Grand Championships, 20 Reserve National Championships, and 4 Futurity Championships. In addition, in 2008 Erica was recognized by the IALHA and was given the award as the Rookie Trainer of the Year!
The best part of it all was that they didn't do it alone. For the first time they had a team, with amateur and youth competitors, who they taught, and then watched as they earned their titles as well. What a rewarding feeling!
With 2010 approaching, Howard and Erica are again starting a new adventure. Howard is going to start up his own training business again, in the Salt Lake City, UT area. So, if you are interested in placing your horse with him, or have questions, please feel free to get in touch!