Stories
My name is Peter van der Gugten. I am of Dutch decent, born and raised in Switzerland but lived abroad since 1972. First in Canada and USA Where i met Kathy, then starting in 1974 in Munich and Black Forest Germany. My Wife Kathy is born in Michigan but raised in Alaska, living 11 km from the next houses.
Except for a few trail rides while on vacation in the US, i had nothing to do with horses, until i started to ride the horse of our daughter Karin, when i turned 40. Preferring to be on my own, to avoid having to listen to constant instructions, I took Flash the Arabian into the woods, where we enjoyed the trails a couple of times a week. Since Flash decided on the speed and distance most of the time, it took a while for me to find out, that the 20 mls (30 km) we trotted and cantered each time, where not the norm, others needed a whole day for this distance, while we were regularly back after 3 hours. It took even longer, for me to realize that Flash was light years ahead of my abilities in riding, and looking back i am immensely thankful for his patience in just carrying me around.
Kathy insisted in me taking riding lessons, which after 2 trials I definitely refused and therefore I leave it up to others to judge whether i can ride or not, having traveled with my horse Flash more than 25000 km all over Europe.
Since I was self employed i was able to take the time i wanted, to work with my horses and since the beginning of 2014 I am earning my keeps with the horses and trail riding.
Except for a few trail rides while on vacation in the US, i had nothing to do with horses, until i started to ride the horse of our daughter Karin, when i turned 40. Preferring to be on my own, to avoid having to listen to constant instructions, I took Flash the Arabian into the woods, where we enjoyed the trails a couple of times a week. Since Flash decided on the speed and distance most of the time, it took a while for me to find out, that the 20 mls (30 km) we trotted and cantered each time, where not the norm, others needed a whole day for this distance, while we were regularly back after 3 hours. It took even longer, for me to realize that Flash was light years ahead of my abilities in riding, and looking back i am immensely thankful for his patience in just carrying me around.
Kathy insisted in me taking riding lessons, which after 2 trials I definitely refused and therefore I leave it up to others to judge whether i can ride or not, having traveled with my horse Flash more than 25000 km all over Europe.
Since I was self employed i was able to take the time i wanted, to work with my horses and since the beginning of 2014 I am earning my keeps with the horses and trail riding.