The Pink Lady always seemed quite magical to me. I could think of nothing better than to be surrounded by all those wonderful animals of hers. But hearing my Dad’s assessment that evening sent me to bed crying and thinking hard of what I could do to make myself more outgoing in his eyes.

The next morning at breakfast I announced I was going to be an actress. I reasoned this was the most dramatic way to force rapid change. I signed up for local modeling and acting classes and to everyone’s surprise even managed a TV commercial. I was never comfortable being the center of attention but the money was great and it helped me get to college. In my twenties, I took a job with Barbizon modeling school and began a career that would span thirty-three years, ultimately launching into the world of show business as a national talent scout. During these three decades I owned and operated several modeling schools and agencies, traveled the world, became a motivational speaker for teens, developed curriculum and competencies for the industry.

Shortly before my 47th birthday, I went through a breakup with a significant relationship. Around the same time I had a freak accident involving a horse. While escaping the later incident without much physical damage, the process of reorganizing myself was daunting. I noticed I felt alone, bone tired, and very unhappy. Memories of the Pink Lady resurfaced in my dreams at night and my love for animals beckoned again. How had I traveled so far from the girl I knew myself to be? One afternoon I was sitting on the edge of my bed feeling utterly defeated. I asked myself, what do I love and what have I left behind? The answer to both questions was horses. I placed an ad on an Internet listing service to sponsor a horse. One Saturday morning I received a call from a young man who owned a 7-year-old Mustang named Sage. He had become too busy to care for her. We arranged a meeting the following weekend at the stable where Sage was boarded. I took one look at this beautiful sassy Mare and knew we had some destiny together. The months that followed developing a relationship with her were pivotal in reclaiming myself. I began to see I wanted to make a big change in my life. I wanted time for relationships. I wanted to slow down. I wanted to work with teens and have horses at the center of my life. I began talking to the stable owner, who had a soft spot for teens. She encouraged me to bring forth what I already knew about teenagers and begin learning what I needed to know about horses. It would be a steep learning curve. I was offered an opportunity to work at the rent barn to have my hands on a number of horses and practice new equestrian skills.

On Saturday mornings for the next six months I watched the rent barn parking lot fill with dirt-dusted cars from the three miles of unpaved road it takes to get there. Wanna-be cowboys and cowgirls lined up and waited for their horses under a weathered sign that read, "if you had a nice ride, kiss your horse and tip your guide". I was responsible for catching, saddling and bridling the horses. Riding instructions were shouted over the helmets everyone is required to wear and usually go like this, “Kick to go, pull back and say whoa to stop.” Just like learning to drive, the gas and the brake on a horse get a real work out. I noticed that there wasn’t much in the way of relationship developing between horse and rider. Trail rides and riding lessons seemed to be taught more from relying on the external cues like spurs and crops. There seemed to be an absence of conversation about the rider’s own energy and intention, which was crucial in understanding horses.

At the end of the six months I finally convinced Sage’s owner to sell her to me. Simultaneously, I decided to find a teacher to help me learn about my new equine partner.

A good friend recommended Ariana Strozzi who taught a program called Leadership and Horses. In February of 2002, I enrolled in a three-day clinic that changed my life.

This initial Equine Guided Education experience bridged the worlds I’d been trying to cross. I had found my work and my teacher in the same place. Both would help me discover my voice, make my offer and stand in my purpose.

I studied with Ariana for three years and became certified to teach Equine Guided Education. Ariana invited me to become a founder of the Equine Guided Education Association.

In June of 2005, I got a call from a young woman who I’d helped get work at Ariana’s barn. She had discovered a house for rent on 1000 acres in Tomales CA, just seven minutes from Ariana’s. The property owner was open to having horses and Equine Guided Education classes on his land. I rented the house. Thirty days later I moved Sage to her new home and began teaching both public and private classes on a regular basis.

I am living the life I imagined as a child surrounded by the animals I love so much and sharing all the beauty of this amazing place with my clients.

As I look back over the last six years I can see the hand of grace every step of the way. I know my intuition has been the truest compass.

A dear friend remarked the other day that I had taken the best parts of the Pink Lady on my journey into this chapter of my life. May it be so.

Written by Alyssa Aubrey, edited by Beth Woodward
From the ‘Storybook CD for Equine Professionals’