D—D History

D—D grew from The Informed Horseman, a project started in partnership with my best riding buddy, Sheila Daly. After many years of involvement with both the professional and recreational riding communities in Northern California, we realized that there was so much specialization in the various styles and disciplines that there was no general foundation. We saw riders falling prey to the same overpromoted claims for the latest "horsemanship systems," but not getting safe, enjoyable horses back from the trendy trainers. We saw them learning how to navigate a show ring but not how to ride a horse instead of a saddle. We saw the same mistakes in horsekeeping being committed again and again. And there was absolutely nothing serving the recreational rider specifically. So Sheila and I combined our expertise in Classical Dressage, Eventing, Gaited horses, and straight from the rancho reinsmanship to provide straightforward, proven knowledge to riders. D—D started when I married my old flame from high school and moved to North Carolina.

Phetsy Dutchko

Phetsy was raised in a family of horseman whos specialty was the California bridle horse method. However, they originated from Kentucky, so Phetsy has also been exposed to many gaited breeds—Tennessee Walkers, Saddlebreds, Peruvian Pasos, and even singlefooting Quarter Horses.

"Some of my best lessons," she says, "came from many hours watching the south end of a north bound cow."

She has been a teacher for over 40 years. Her instruction specialities include developing rider confidence, Trail & wilderness riding, and Foundational Riding.

Phetsy was a founding member of the California State Horsemen's Association Trail Trials (TT) State Commitee: the TT representative judge on CSHA Sate Judges Commission: Senior TT Judge, CSHA

Phetsy's articles have been published in Western Horseman and Horse & Rider. She is an internationally recognized expert on the development and use of the traditional hackamore & bosal.