YELLOW GRASS, Sask. – Taylor Douglas and Tegan Marshall have faced the same choice many farm couples have to make – a new house for them or new housing for livestock.
A month ago, a new indoor riding arena with a barn in one end went up in their yard southwest of Yellow Grass, Sask.
“It’s what we do,” Douglas said.
The 24-year-olds, who met at a high school rodeo and plan to be married next summer, have set their lifestyle and businesses goals, and the riding arena is critical to meeting them.
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“Our goal would be to train horses and to ranch,” Marshall said.
They are well on their way. Two years ago, they bought four quarters of pasture from Marshall’s father and now live on an existing yard site alongside a small creek with well-established trees.
They are renting out the pasture this year but hope to set up a custom grazing operation in the future.
Their own cattle will come in the future as well, if the risk-reward ratio makes sense.
For now, horses are the focus and about a dozen are now in residence for training. The couple own eight horses as well.
Douglas has customers from across the Prairies, gained mainly by word-of-mouth.
He has successfully shown horses in a variety of events, including Canada’s Greatest Cowhorse competition at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina and the Canadian Supreme in Red Deer. Last year he won the open snaffle bit futurity at the Supreme, which is considered the most prestigious show in Canada for reining, cutting and cow horses.
Douglas comes by his horsemanship honestly. He grew up on Beaver Creek Ranch near Lumsden, Sask., where his mom, Brenda Clemens, is a well-known trainer.
He competed in high school rodeo, earning cowboy of the year honours in 2003, and took a welding course after graduation, just to be on the safe side.
He credits his parents for instilling his love of horses and getting him started as a trainer. He studied with other well-known trainers, such as Kevin Pole and Clint Christianson, and says he still tries to learn something from everyone.
“Taylor has a very calm approach,” said Marshall. “He’s very encouraging and patient.”
Douglas said he strives to develop a horse to its full potential for its owner.
“We want the owners to be able to go on with that horse,” Marshall added. “They should be able to ride it the same as Taylor did.”
Marshall grew up in nearby Yellow Grass and has a diploma in agriculture, specializing in agronomy. She works at the Royal Bank in Weyburn, which allows her to spend evenings and weekends helping at home. She does chores and the books for Taylor Douglas Performance Horses.
“I couldn’t do it without her,” said Douglas. “She doesn’t get paid for all her time.”
Marshall has also taken an equine massage therapy course, which she wants to incorporate into their operation.
The new arena will allow them to hold clinics and give lessons at home. Last winter, for example, they had to travel into Weyburn to have access to indoor facilities.
The couple spends a lot of weekends on the road attending shows and clinics. They would eventually like to travel to bigger American shows, such as the National Reined Cowhorse Futurity and the World’s Greatest Horseman.
They are fortunate their families will help out feeding horses while they’re away. Marshall’s dad keeps the little machinery they require in running order.
They buy the hay and straw that they need.
Douglas said he believes his success with horses at the many shows he attends is building a reputation that will help the couple live the lifestyle they have chosen.
Unlike some people their age, Douglas and Marshall are not out on the weekends partying with friends.
They have a huge investment in their ranch. Originally, they thought they would buy just 40 acres and get started but ended up buying 600 more.
Marshall said they understand that they are making sacrifices now to establish themselves and have to spend their money on necessities, like feeding the horses.
“We invested in the things we needed,” she said. “We are investing in ourselves.”
Someday, soon they hope, that will include a house for them, too.
