Trainer Profile - Stephanie West
Like almost every horse story, this one started out with a girl who loved horses and always dreamed of owning one.
One day that dream became a reality when the Gonzalez family purchased a Thoroughbred gelding named Western Ego. Stephanie went on to do hunter/jumper with Wes at Crossroads Farm where she received expert instruction from the trainers there.
Riding jumpers was all well and good but Steph had always had a passion for the Arabian horse. Her parents always made it a point to take her to the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show every year and it left a strong impact on her.
So they moved on from Crossroads to a small Arabian farm in Gilbert and that was where they purchased their first few Arabian Horses.
At that point Steph was already trying to ride as many horses as she possibly could and get as much experience possible to one day become a trainer. Even riding in her first schooling show with a little chestnut mare named WR Beyberry Fanci.
One day that dream became a reality when the Gonzalez family purchased a Thoroughbred gelding named Western Ego. Stephanie went on to do hunter/jumper with Wes at Crossroads Farm where she received expert instruction from the trainers there.
Riding jumpers was all well and good but Steph had always had a passion for the Arabian horse. Her parents always made it a point to take her to the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show every year and it left a strong impact on her.
So they moved on from Crossroads to a small Arabian farm in Gilbert and that was where they purchased their first few Arabian Horses.
At that point Steph was already trying to ride as many horses as she possibly could and get as much experience possible to one day become a trainer. Even riding in her first schooling show with a little chestnut mare named WR Beyberry Fanci.
A year later the Gonzalez family purchased horse property and moved all the horses home before opening up the barn as a boarding stable. From there Steph showed her first "A" rated with the Scottsdale Reserve Champion mare Talia Zortonic. Trotting down the chute and into the Equidome that first time was the biggest thrill and from that moment on Steph knew this was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.
That lead to the purchase of DG Superior Bey+ Steph's first show horse. Spud as he is called at the barn has taught Steph everything she could have possibly needed to know and is well defined as 'the love of her life'.
That lead to the purchase of DG Superior Bey+ Steph's first show horse. Spud as he is called at the barn has taught Steph everything she could have possibly needed to know and is well defined as 'the love of her life'.
Steph's first few years in the show ring were a great learning experience and all the hard work she put in was rewarded when her family bought their first training facility. from there on Steph worked and trained many different horses and showed to many championships, as well as going to other barns and working for some amazing trainers that continued on her education with horses.
"I am extremely grateful for all the amazing horses I have had the opportunity to ride and train and the great people I have met along the way. It has all been a wonderful learning experience and the learning never stops. even with all the challenges that come up, I will keep riding through them."
"I am extremely grateful for all the amazing horses I have had the opportunity to ride and train and the great people I have met along the way. It has all been a wonderful learning experience and the learning never stops. even with all the challenges that come up, I will keep riding through them."