Renee Simmons

Born and (mostly) raised in New Mexico, I came into this world obsessed with horses and everything about them. For over 30 years, I have cultivated many years of hands-on experience and education through lessons, clinics, books, and discussion amongst many other horseman and horsewomen. I love learning, sharing, and teaching what I have learned by experience in hope to help others in their horse journey.

I am a mother of two beautiful daughters, a wife to a wonderful husband, and partner to my two mares, Gertie and Coco Chanel. Oh and can't forget the two dogs!

The name "Sassaloosa" came about some many years ago. My mare, Gertie, is a very sassy Appaloosa (she is actually Appaloosa x Paint), so she was coined Sassaloosa. The name has stuck and really became our "brand," in a way. I am also quite sassy, so it was very fitting for the both of us as a team!

Gertie was born in 2007 and I bought her that same year as a weanling. I brought her home to New Mexico the day she turned 6 months old and it was the start of an incredible journey. With a lot of challenges along the way, I knew she was a special horse and has since proved to be just that. She still keeps me on my toes at the age of 17 and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I started with riding ranch horses from an early age of about 7, then started English lessons with Jeanette Mott in NM at age 17. After marrying and moving to Arizona, Gertie and I took lessons with Eventing and Arabian trainer, Denise Kraus-Spangler until our move to Florida where I found Sally Ivory (formerly Wright) of Ballyclare Sport Horses in Grant, Florida. It is here where we grew exponentially as a team. Over the years we have taken clinics with Julie Goodnight, Kathleen Zins, Candice King, Ronnie Beard, and a few others and looking forward to more! I am a HUGE fangirl of Buck Brannaman and follow a lot of his teachings.