Born and raised in Solvang, California, I grew up with a passion for western style riding and competing in rodeos. Growing up with my dad being Ranchero Vistadores member in the Amigos camp and also a member of the Tejas Vaqueros, it was given for me to love this lifestyle. From the young age of five, I was deeply involved in agriculture, showing hogs, cattle, goats, poultry, and horses throughout my childhood and young adulthood. I took my first cutting lesson with Tom Shelly out of Los Olivos, California when I was 9 years old. Since then, I had been hooked on the sport. Upon starting high school, I joined the California High School Rodeo Association where I competed, as well furthered my focus and skills in cutting and reining. After high school, I continued taking lessons from Tom Shelly as well as Rex Russoll. These early experiences fostered a lifelong love for animals and a deep appreciation for the agriculture industry.
In 2017, I moved to College Station, Texas to attend Blind college and moved forward to Texas A&M with a declared study of Animal Science. During my time in Texas, I further developed my knowledge and passion for livestock and agriculture. After college, I moved to Panama City Beach in 2019 where I put a pause on my passions to help my partner, who is an active duty serviceman of the United States Air Force, after Hurricane Michael had hit his home in 2018. In 2020, we welcomed our daughter into the world. I remained a stay at home mom and helped in the rebuilding process of our home up until 2021, when we received orders to Luke AFB. In late 2021, we moved to Surprise, Arizona and I was longing to get back in the Ag industry. I got a job with the Arizona Department of Agriculture in the livestock division where I was exposed to a whole new agriculture community. Although I loved my experience at AZDA, I set off a new ambition for myself and started my study course to become a Certified Equine Appraiser.
After 6 months of my study course, I am now a certified Equine Appraiser through the American Society of Equine Appraisers complying with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and International Revenue Service (IRS) standards.