This picture was taken after a big hail storm in August, 2003. I was in a 40' by 40' metal shed when the storm passed over. It sounded like the end of the world. Do you see the Ghost Riders in the clouds? There are three. Two are "riding" on the big cloud in the forefront and one rider is on the second cloud. There's one in every crowd Why God Made Horses Of all the creatures we have on earth, I believe I love horses the best God gave them grace, with intelligence; When I’m with them I feel truly blessed. My spirit expands when I’m near them, I’m amazed at their brilliant minds. With distinctively velvet muzzles, And eyes that are gentle and kind. The smell of a horse is elixir That soothes and relaxes my soul Anxieties fade while I stand at his side My broken core is made whole. To stand in your horse’s presence And feel the love he gives freely You’ll come close to the way God loves us… Unconditional, Absolute And ideally. As he munches his oats so contently And stands while you stroke his neck, The bond and union grows stronger As your troubles are reduced to a speck. When you watch them run across a field Their power and might is compelling While humans would use all that power to brawl, At war, With our enemies felling. Horses will most often run from a fight If they don’t believe they can win They’re mostly content with the status quo Saving ego from hurt and chagrin. If your best friend happens to be a horse The rest of world you can doubt. No human could ever match his love Be this faithful Or this devout. When I was a little child I knew Why God gave us horses to love. To teach us to be better people As He watches from Heaven above. If we look at horses as teachers That God gave to us long ago To learn from them how to live in peace And all hatred and bias let go. A stable is where Jesus chose to be born Not in a palace or castle He knew the peace their presence affords Their curative charm, so facile. As it’s written Jesus will come back again, Astride a white horse to begin The final battle of evil and good, Which the good side will certainly win. God knew from time immemorial His first emissaries would be Horses and ponies… To teach us love, Full, All-inclusive And Free. Betty Burlingame 2008 CREDENTIALS *Current Member: Wyoming Horse Council USET Foundation, former member of AQHA, APHA and the AMHR, and Colorado Horse Council *Over 650 CEU classroom hours - Front Range Comm. College, Westminster, CO. Damian Ficca, Instructor, Equine Science, Adult Education Program - Community Learning Center *Thousands of hours experience using practical, solid classical training principals WHAT WE DO *Provide foundation training for building healthy, well mannered and self-confident horses *Teach people to work with each horse's innate character and nurture the spirit of the horse *Specialize in the principle of non-competitive, safety-oriented riding using Equine Facilitated Growth and Development principles Experience... The experience level of your trainer or instructor is the key to your success with horses, as is the experience of riding for the first time or the one hundred and first time; it should be enjoyable and pleasant each time you work or play with your horse. Horses aren't a hobby for us; they are a lifestyle we want to share. Come on out and experience a special way to connect with horses and the outdoors. About Betty Burlingame, Owner/Trainer for Rockn Bee Equestrienne Center: In addition to 20 years of supervisory experience, a life-long love for horses and thousands of "lab hours" with her own and others' horses, Betty has earned the following college accreditations: 650 CEU credits in the following: Spirit of Horses Pharmacology Hoof Care I, II, III Health, Anatomy and Physiology Nutrition Breed Evaluation and Conformation Analysis Horse Facility and Pasture Management Bits, Bitting and Tack Fitting Riding and Round Pen Instruction Also a student of the following: Healing Touch Level I (certified) Reiki Level I Equine Facilitated Growth and Development References available on request IN DEPTH Betty Burlingame, owner and founder of Rockn Bee Equestrienne Center, retired from Qwest Communications, a major telephone company, with 34 year's service in June, 2002. She supervised people for 20 years and has extensive experience and training in labor relations, team building, interpersonal communication, in addition to conflict, stress and behavior management. She has excellent communication skills and is a life long learner. These acquired attributes, combined with her innate analytical and intuitive skills make Betty an empathetic and compassionate instructor for people and horses. She is quick to synthesize complicated information and develops innovative solutions to correct problems before they become habits that may impede the progress in training and/or instruction situations. Betty has over 650 classroom hours in equine science and thousands of hours of experience working with her own and other's horses. She is a student of Equine Science from Front Range Community College, Westminster, Colorado, with certificates in Bits & Bitting, Anatomy & Physiology, Hoof Care I, II & III, Equine Management, Breed Evaluation, Horse Facility & Pasture Management, Equine Nutrition, Riding & Round Pen Instruction and Pharmacology. She has often been complimented by professional horse trainers for her ability to "work with the horse's mind". Betty is a student of "Healing Touch", an intuitive, energy-based healing technique that is gaining recognition in western medical and veterinary practice. Betty is certified at Level 1, which allows her to practice. (Level II allows teaching and certifying others). She has used HT on her own and other's horses, dogs, cats and other animals. Rockn Bee provides a safe place for people to connect with horses, under the tutelage of someone who promotes safety, cares about the outcome, encourages individuality, loves horses, people and creation as a whole. These lessons are about promoting universal good for horse, rider and instructor. The baby boomers who are approaching retirement age are looking for meaning and challenge to their post retirement lives. Accepting the responsibility for horse ownership seems to fill that need. We are 'itching' to help these people reach their equine actualization through education and gentle coaching. The personal quest to make life as full and rich as possible for my horses is my benchmark for helping other people reach for this lofty goal. One important aspect for founding this business is the realization that while many people rely on what has been considered the 'norm' for horse training, which is measured in 'days' of training methods applied, a growing number of people acknowledge that a minimum of 2,000 hours of applied training is required for a horse to comprehend what is really expected of him/her. It takes (surprisingly) about 5,000 hours to produce an "accomplished rider". Albeit, there is a growing demand for trainers who use patience instead of appliances, and common sense instead of force in their methodologies. New horse owners also admit that their own participation in their horse's training helps to establish a life long bond that transcends any relationship they could possibly have imagined having with any entity. PHILOSOPHY Rockn Bee Equestrienne Center is a multi-tasking entity, whose main purpose is promoting the welfare of people and horses. That is accomplished by the following criteria: Teaching proprietorship and management procedures for equine facilities Implementing improved methods for basic training of young horses Training and gentle encouragement for inexperienced owners and fearful riders, using proven lesson horses Selling books, videos, tack, nutritional supplements and quality horse care products that promote optimun health, well being and vitality for horses. Education for all horse owners in the following areas: Basic training for young horses Basic knowledge for new and experienced horse owners, including tack, nutrition, basic care and facility management Information media resource center (books, posters, videos, magazines, movies and internet access) Inherent problems and safety issues regarding equine activities Issues of "life" - self awareness, efficacy, power and control when applied to transpersonal communication with a 1,000 pound animal that doesn't speak our language, but speaks his own non-verbal language fluently. (Horses think most people are deaf!) Our business is unique in the horse industry, because it is an Equine Center. It isn't just a fragmented segment of the equine business, like a tack store, or a boarding/training facility - it is a complete equine center, offering end-to-end products and services for people and their horses. Feedback from people I've talked to and worked with has been positive and well received. A modest perspective from a new client was, "It's about time somebody thought of this." Rockn Bee firmly adheres to the principles of proprietorship for all horse owners. By providing quality products and the most up to date information possible, I help horse owners provide the best possible living conditions and life style for their horses. These customers represent an ever- growing group of horse enthusiasts who believe horses are not just extensions of their egos, but are magnificent, intelligent (in their world) individual entities who should be allowed the opportunity to be all they can be. This enlightenment is accomplished through education and dedication to the concept that horses can be the best friend you will ever have. In the horse industry, your reputation is spread by word of mouth. My customers are looking for a riding instructor who doesn't push them or their children into competition. They simply want to enjoy the company of horses in a non-threatening, safe environment. I teach balance and collection for horses and riders. Riding beyond that is simply semantics. We invite new and existing horse owners to preview quality horse products and speak with someone with authority on the subject of horse care. No matter what they are used for, all horses need the same basic custodial care. We teach this concept to present and future horse owners. Rockn Bee's mission is to promote responsible horse ownership by initiating, integrating and building upon the concept that people and horses can reach their highest potential through commitment and life-long education. That's is why our mission statement says, "Our products and services provide the vital link for optimum growth and development between people and horses." Our products and services promote the vital link for optimum growth and development between people and horses.