FREEPORT
Growing up in a small Maine town, Chris Lombard had never ridden a horse — or even touched one. But on one fateful night when he thought he had lost everything, Chris met two horses and his life was changed forever. The encounter inspired him to leave everything behind and go in search of his newfound connection to horses.
Chris would first work as an apprentice trainer at The Van Nostern Arabian Horse Ranch in Colorado. The Van Nostern Ranch was focused on a modern and natural approach in their training and riding. Chris worked with Arabian horses of all ages, from young colts to champion stallions. From there he moved on to the Sunset Ranch in California where he worked as a wrangler. He led trail rides ranging from five to 30 riders, including Sunset Ranch’s famous night rides. He also worked as a riding instructor, teaching both English and Western riding.
The ranch that had the most influence on Chris was the 300 year old Rancho de la Osa in Arizona. The Rancho de la Osa served as a guest ranch that was still run as a working cowboy operation. It was here that Chris learned what it meant to have complete trust with a horse and he learned more about the deep bonds and relationships that can be had with horses.
From herding horses and cattle to across the range to running the rides and looking after the guests, each day at the ranch was a study on horse/human relations. Chris worked on developing a natural and easy approach to working with horses and worked to develop his skill in teaching these methods to people of all ages and ability.
Chris has been back in Maine now since 2003 and currently resides in Durham. For the last ten years he has traveled the northeast helping people and their horses to build the trust that will allow them to be safe and have fun in any type of training or riding they choose.
Told in an engaging style that sets the reader among the horses, people and great landscapes of the American West, Land of the Horses entertains and inspires. Don’t miss this opportunity at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, to meet Chris at Freeport Community Library, hear his story and learn about the deep, lifechanging connections that humans and horses can make with one another.
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