Howard Peet
Howard Peet is one of the greatest Andalusian Trainers in the United States. I, Lindsey Rothrock
(the 2010 IALHA Youth Representative), have had the honors of being one of Howard's
students. He has taught me so much in life not only to be a horsewoman, but he also has taught
me to take pride in my successes. Along with the good, he has also taught me to learn from my
mistakes and make the best out of life and the situations that I am faced with in life. This is a
short history by Howard Peet about his life that has influenced him to be the great trainer and
man that he is today.
Growing up, I spent my youth competing in sports from football, baseball, wrestling, track,
cross country, to weight lifting. Even though I would not touch my first horse until I was 21, my
childhood experiences would teach that sport and competition made me a better person.
Sports taught me that the biggest sin in life was to quit, and the only way to succeed was
through hard work and determination.
After high school, I moved to California where I started to work in warehouses. I quickly
excelled because I loved the physical side of the work and my meticulous nature made me want
to do things right the first time. However, there was always a side of me that was unfulfilled. I
remember how I would take time to look out the window and wish that I was doing something
outside. During this time, I met an Appaloosa/Thoroughbred horse cross named Bold Jester. He
was a quirky horse that I swear bucked like a bull. He always changed up his buck. I never knew
what was coming simply because I could not control him due to my bad riding and
inexperience. I loved that brave horse. He taught me to ride, and I grew as a horseperson.
The warehouse that I was working for went bankrupt, and I had to make a big decision. I
loved being outside, and I loved horses. It only made sense to me to aim towards becoming a
horse trainer. The only problem was that I had no real experience. It was just passion. This was
my chance to change my life. So, I talked to all the friends I knew and put together a resume
that consisted of a whole lot of nothing. I went to the first place that was recommended to me.
This job hunt sent me to Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. I remember walking up to the
front gate and being greeted by his security staff. I told them I was looking for a horse position
and gave them my resume. Just as I was going to20leave, one of the security officers asked me
to wait. To make a long story short, I was hired and working within a couple of days. While at
Neverland Ranch, I learned to drive the carriage from a very meticulous woman named Linda
Dorado. She taught me everything I needed to know about driving this included parallel parking
the carriage. My favorite times were with a miniature horse named Cricket. At the ranch, we
used to have large groups of kids come to the ranch. Most of the kids had it pretty bad, such as
burn victims, cancer and aids patients, etc. Cricket and I had a routine that we performed for
the kids in the petting zoo. This brought a lot of meaning to my life. The day eventually came
when I was put in charge of the horse department, and my responsibilities changed. When the
group of kids came I was no longer entertaining them, I was sitting on the carriage as a
spectacle and not as a participant. This made me reevaluate what my goals were. I wanted to
be a horse trainer.
After deciding that it was time to leave Neverland Ranch, I asked my friends who the best
show horse trainer was in the area. The answer was Bruce Howard. I went to Bruce’s barn and
asked for employment there. It’s not easy getting laughed at, but I knew I was in the right place.
I just had to convince Bruce of that. I waited a week and went back to ask for a position at his
barn. I believe Bruce was surprised to s ee me back, however, it was not enough to get the job
yet. That would take two more trips. The final trip, I remember him saying, “Fine, I will hire you
if you can drive these three horses.” It was do or die time for me, and I knew it. I took the first
horse out and drove him around the orchard. It was during this first drive that I would get my
first of many well deserved tongue lashings from Bruce in this case for driving the horse too
fast. By the time I was done with the third horse, I had proved myself enough to get hired.
When I look back, this was one of the best moments of my life. Bruce Howard taught me to be a
horseman before a showman. The well being of my horses came above everything else. Along
the way, he also taught me to be a better person. I learned a lot about training horses from
Bruce, but it was how I grew as a person that I will always be grateful for.
Eventually the time came when I thought I was ready for the show ring. To my surprise,
Bruce did not agree. This prompted me to accept a position at another trainer’s barn. Some
lessons are learned the hard way. The following year I showed at my first International
Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association National Championship show. It was there that I
learned Bruce Howard was right for I was not ready to be in the show ring. It was time to set
new goals and continue learning as a horseman.
Through the next six years, I worked with many trainers in the different show divisions such
as dressage and reining. Among these trainers were Keith Krichkie, Jody Strand, Bill Matton,
and Dave Miller. My goal was to be an all around show trainer that could compete and win in
halter, hunt seat pleasure, western pleasure, saddle seat pleasure, driving dressage, and
reining. I decided to took a break from showing. In Utah, I started my own training business.
There I grew as a teacher, helping my clients to become better horse people and teach them
how to work with their own horses. I took a lot of pride in seeing them grow whether it was
simply doing trail riding or competing at their first show.
Eventually, show life came knocking on my door again. My clients wanted to show their
Andalusians at nationals. In 2003, I made my return to the IALHA National Show and won a
reserve national title. I was now closer to becoming the competitive show trainer that I wanted
to be. We returned the next year where I won my first Grand National titles, two in dressage. It
was a wonderful feeling to be able to achieve my goal at last. Life then took me on a bit of a
detour which kept me from showing in 2005. I knew how much I loved the Andalusian breed.
They are such intelligent and willing partners which make them incredibly versatile and a joy to
work with. Luckily I was able to find a position again with Andalusians, and I returned to
nationals to win 8 grand national titles and 2 reserve national titles. This was also the first year
that my amateur and youth competitor won as well. Then in 2007, we won 13 grand national
titles, and 13 reserve national titles followed by 2008 where we won 14 grand national titles
and 9 reserve national titles. Again, during those years I was able to share the success with my
youth and amateur competitors. I can not express how gratifying it is to know that I not only
can succeed myself, but that I can teach others to be great horse people and help them reach
their goals in the show ring.
I have never forgot what Bruce Howard taught me about being a horseman first, and a
showman second. I have learned along the way that sport and competition can make people
better. It helps you set goals and makes you work to achieve those goals. I also have come to
love being a part of another person's life when they achieve the goals they set out for
themselves. Each of those moments are priceless to me and only come when worked for and I
hope to enjoy many more of those moments.
Written by Lindsey Rothrock