PEAK Training

Challenge

To rescue takes passion. To imagine a better world takes courage. We believe that it's up to us - all of us - to create new traditions honoring horses, humans, and the partnership we share.

Connecting Talent

With Potential

YOU’RE INVITED! SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 2024 | 10AM – 3PM

B.W. Pickett Arena at the Colorado State University Equine Center | 735 S. Overland Trail, Fort Collins, CO 80523

The Performance Equine Adoption Kickstart (PEAK) Training Challenge is an exciting demonstration and adoption event open to the public – free of charge! Enjoy a competitive training showcase with the opportunity to see some of CHR’s adoptable horses in action. Invite your friends, family, and fellow equine enthusiasts for a day of exciting showmanship by a group of experienced trainers and introductions to well-started, deserving horses ready to find their new home.

Colorado and Wyoming trainers are partnered with unstarted or lightly handled members of our herd in order to give both participants the opportunity to reach new heights. With a judging panel of respected equine professionals, an audience full of potential new clients and adopters, and a $15,000 cash prize pool, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

2024 PEAK TRAINERS

CAYLA STONE

MYTHOS EQUESTRIAN

TRAINING - PHARAOH. I am a graduate of the CSU Equine Sciences program and the mother of an 9 year old and 1 year old. I am originally from Hilton Head Island, SC and moved to CO in 2007. Outside of horses, I enjoy reading, writing, art, history and mythology.

DAVID GERRISH

HARMONY EQUINE CENTER

TRAINING - ELVIRA. I'm originally from West Texas and have a degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas Tech University. I have a wonderful wife, Mia, and a sweet rescue dog, Jessie. Outside of training horses, I enjoy camping, hiking, and going to the movies.

ALEX PARSAYE

LEGENDS OF RANCHING AT CSU

TRAINING - BONNIE. I'm married to a wonderful large animal vet, with three-year-old twin boys and a two-year-old daughter. I teach at Colorado State University and run Parsaye Performance Horses, Parsaye Veterinary Services, & Pleasant Valley Market & Meats from home in LaPorte. I clearly have no life outside of horses!

TIFFANY LARSEN

TLD HORSE TRAINING

TRAINING - SAPPHIRE. After earning a degree in Equine Science from CSU, I went on to conduct clinics in Argentina and Uruguay for students learning to start horses. I created TLD Horse Training and enjoy spending my time with my husband and two daughters.

COLTER HEAP

TRAINING - PATRICK. Colter has spent 6 yrs. traveling the US and Canada with his horses, studying under Grand Prix dressage trainers, training with World Champion Rein Cow trainers, and cowboying on cattle ranches. He owns WildenHorsemanship which builds a solid foundation for horses that go through his program.

2024 EVENT JUDGES

Dr. Bruce Connally, DVM, MS

Wyoming Equine

With 30+ years of clinical experience, Dr. Connally is a former assistant professor at CSU's College of Veterinary Medicine and currently practices with performance equines. He also competes with his own horses and therefore understands competitive environments and best practice for working with high-performing horses.

Jody Marken

Two Spruce Farm

Jody owns and operates Two Spruce Farm in Berthoud, Colorado. She teaches lessons in horsemanship and basic jumping, offers Trail Obstacle and Cow-Working clinics, and is a USEF “r” judge for Hunters and Hunt Seat Equitation. Jody loves to judge and believes everyone should experience the show from the judge's perspective.

Jessica Dabkowski

Wild Idea Horsemanship

Jessica graduated from CSU in 2003 with a degree in Equine Science. She’s always had a passion for working with “project horses” and competed in her first Mustang Makeover competition in 2010. Since then, she’s competed in 15 mustang makeovers and teaches riding lessons and horsemanship in Livermore, CO.

Watch the PEAK horses progress!

Are you up for

the challenge?

Showcase your training talents, leadership skills, and partnership as an equine advocate through this exciting, 100-day equine foster training challenge hosted by Colorado Horse Rescue at the CSU Equine Center in Fort Collins, CO. Gain exposure for your training business by sharing your expertise with one of our lightly handled horses in order to help them reach their peak!

For more information on training requirements and event incentives, see the PEAK Training Challenge Flyer and the 2024 PEAK Training Challenge Guide linked here! Further training or event-related questions can be directed to Sharon Gilbert at sgilbert@chr.org.

The 2024 application period is now closed. Be sure to check in again next year!

Hang tight while we go get your horse!