Teacher by trade, Gerrie Barnes isn’t afraid to tell people about the mistakes she has made and the lessons she has learned on the journey to horse ownership. In fact, in 1997, she turned her horse-life experiences into an educational outreach program for prospective horse owners.

Gerrie, who now lives in Larkspur, CO, came to horses later in life. “As a child growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, my family would drive to a park, and on our way, we would pass this yellow horse in a pasture. In my mind, I named it ‘Nugget’, “ Gerrie says. “That was the extent of my horse experience as a child.”

Gerrie went on to be a teacher and then developed and sold a successful employment service. “That allowed me to retire at age 45,” she says. “As I was deciding what to do with the rest of my life, I naively went out and bought a horse. I did not know the responsibilities, did not know how to care for that animal, didn’t know how to choose an animal to be a good match to me.”

Fortunately, Gerrie was able to dedicate an enormous amount of time to learn about her new equine partner. In the process, she discovered that, at that time, there wasn’t a how-to manual for people who are buying a horse for the first time.

Calling on her past teaching experience, Gerrie developed the Horse Basics Series, which are two full-day, workbook-based seminars on buying and owning a horse.

Thus began her career as teacher, speaker, and clinician. Since that time, she has added topics, clinics and demonstrations which can be customized to the needs of riding clubs, associations, expos or private groups. She is a certified CHA riding instructor, gained her AQHA Professional Horseman designation and became a certified community college instructor in equine science. Recently she was chosen as a finalist for the national award, CHA Instructor of the Year.

As a professional educator, her information is presented in an organized, professional, interactive format filled with researched information and personal experience. Gerrie understands and can relate to the 80% of the horse owners nationally who are recreational riders - either starting their horse journey as an adult or re-starting that journey as an adult who had some amount of childhood riding experience.

With an MA in Counseling, Gerrie is effective with riders who have confidence or fear issues. She has also done behavioral research on the difference between how men and women with no horse experience relate to and interact with horses.

Gerrie’s style is warm, supportive, confidence-building and interactive. She is effective with groups of all sizes.

Jeff Barnes

Jeff Barnes is employed by a commercial contractor as Construction Manager of the Central/South portion of Colorado. Jeff is an invaluable part of the Barnes Ranch instructional team. Born in central Illinois, this small-town boy first learned about horses with a friend's feisty Shetland pony. Graduating to helping round-up and re-train the wintering dude ranch horses, Jeff advanced his horsemanship skills until he left Illinois to work in the construction industry in Arizona. Jeff assisted an outfitter with horseback hunting trips into New Mexico's wilderness areas. Moving to Colorado added cattle work, cattle drives, roping and branding to Jeff's skills.

The 2002 advent of the new Versatility Ranch Horse event caught Jeff's interest, bringing together a life-time of horse experience. By 2004, he had put an RMQHA Ranch Horse Champion on one horse and by 2006 he had put an RMQHA Ranch Horse Champion and Supreme Ranch Horse Champion on another horse.

Jeff is well-spoken with an easy-going, down-home, and encouraging style.

"We thought Gerrie was exceptional! Loved her approach and how she presented everything, breaking it down step by step and keeping things basic and simple."

Susie Jeffrey

"Gerrie and Jeff Barnes are superb trainers. They give instruction and practical exercises tailored to the skill-level of each participant."

John W. Smith

"I not only enjoyed the content of the clinic, but I thoroughly enjoyed working with you two. Your hospitality, caring and warmth was a welcome change."

Andie Lee