After being a long-time horse show mom, 54 year-old, novice amateur and select, Babs Osterud, has decided to try her hand at showing. She currently resides in Oregon, but her family is in the process of moving to Texas.

"I have always loved horses. I grew up on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, and it was not easy to own horses--so I rode when I could at Koko Head Stables as a little girl. My grandfather owned Connemara horses and whenever I went to Vermont I rode his horses there," Osterud recalls. "We got started in horses because my youngest daughter, Kathy, saved all the money her grandmother gave her so she could some day buy a 'horsey.'

Eventually, the family bought two paint horses “Amy” and “Haley” that Bab's two daughters showed locally in Oregon.

"This was really the beginning of what has become a family passion," Osterud states. "After the girls were grown and gone, we had the retired show string at home, so I began riding in earnest again. Though these horses could teach me a lot--they were not going to get me very far in the show arena...and honestly they deserved to enjoy their retirement."

After a horse related fall, she set out to find a safe horse to show and ride. From the moment she met Reid Thomas of Corpus Christi, Texas, she knew that she was in the right place. Thomas, who is well known as an excellent matchmaker for horse and rider, found Slowly Zip, (Bob) for Osterud. (pictured below)

"Bob was and is amazing, and we clicked as a team from the beginning. I respect a program that doesn't try to reinvent the wheel for each horse, rather builds on strengths," Babs states. "I have been told so many times how bad of a rider I am, and it's now very refreshing to be in an environment where mistakes are welcome and a learning tool to get better."

Her trainer, Reid Thomas talks fondly about her client. "Babs is the type of lady any animal is lucky to have as an owner. I recall a story where she actually transplanted field mice to give them a better home than her farm," Thomas says laughing.

Since Osterud's daughter, Kathy, shows Paints with Reid and Osterud shows Quarter Horses, the select rider wanted a double registered horse that she could show at both circuits. Recently, she purchased a AQHA/APHA horse named Pass Present Future (Pass). Babs would like to thank Cindy and Shane Young and Clarice Cooper for the opportunity to purchase Pass.

Babs currently has her hands in many disciplines and breeds. At the Oklahoma Spring Show, the family purchased a two year-old western pleasure Masters Prospect from Rusty and Katie Green, Moonlite Cruiser.

"We are thankful to them and looking forward to them representing, Cruiser, as a two and three year-old futurity horse with the end goal as an amateur all-arounder for my daughter Kathy," Babs says. "Reid jokes I will get to hop on for some select world trips too!"

The family also has their hunter horses with Mason Lyon including Prince of Fashion (Rio), Roses and Chocolate (Marty), Acclaimed (Tyler), Authentic Artifacts (Hunter), and a band of AQHA/APHA broodmare in foal to horses like, Hot Ones Only.

"Reid reminds me every time I ride that I am training my horses for my 15 month-old granddaughter, Sahara, who someday will be riding with Reid at the AQHA Equestrians with Disabilities events," she says. "I am so excited to see what the futures holds for us and our horses. We plan on enjoying our horses and the shows for a very long time."