Kansas member profile from Shana Drake

I was “horse crazy” at a very young age and began riding horses and ponies as a small child when I visited my Grandparents in Texas whenever I got the chance! Our family bought our first horses when I was 10. Although they were young and we were all very green, we made it work! From there, we have owned many through the years. After graduation from Kansas State University, I purchased a Quarter Horse filly! We figured it out together over the years and she became my “heart horse”. Miles and miles of trails, marriage and three kids later “Jackie” became everyone’s favorite! She blessed our lives for 26 years. I never thought I’d bond with another horse again until I purchased a Quarter Horse gelding “Joey”, Watch This GI Joe. Over the past five years we have really bonded and enjoyed miles of trails, riding and working cattle on the ranch and participating in Working Equitation and Western Dressage. I couldn’t ask for a more willing, kind, gentle partner to share my senior equestrian years with! I began taking riding lessons from Cyndi Harris six years ago and quickly realized how much I had to learn. With her guidance, I participated in Cowboy Dressage, many clinics and for the past three years Working Equitation through WEKS (Working Equitation Kansas). Joey and I are having the best time on our Working Equitation journey setting goals, attending shows and clinics, increasing and improving our riding skills, growing in confidence, and most of all enjoying all the wonderful people involved with WEKS! They are family! I was born in Texas but spent most of my childhood in Overland Park, Kansas. My grandparents had a small farm nearby where we

had cattle and kept our horses and spent as much time as we could there growing up. I had dreams of taking riding lessons, showing and being a 4H member which didn’t come true. After college my mare and I moved to Wichita with my job and soon met my husband, Scott Drake. We married and moved to the Drake Ranch outside of Winfield Kansas. I then became a farm wife and stay at home Mom to three children, two daughters and a son who all graduated from Kansas State University. Our son along with his wife now joins us as 4th generation on the family ranch! Our lovely children all grew up learning to work hard, ride horses, show livestock and were very involved in 4H, FFA and dance. My childhood dreams came true living vicariously through each of them! In my senior years I plan to ride as long as I’m physically able and have a great horse, continue to open our home to our friends and growing family that love to visit, and hit the Bucket List items! Life is good!