Jesse is the boss man here at PDRS, but if you ask him he’ll tell ya the girls run the show. He’s a 3rd generation out here who’s loved and cared for our canyon and horses since he came into this world. Jesse learned everything he knows from his old man, Jim Sorenson, now lovingly known as “Big Daddy” by Jesse and Kristin’s children. He’s been in the saddle since he was just two weeks old. Jesse grew up in the bottom of the canyon in one of Jim’s 3 frontier towns (the current residence of all of us here at PDRS). He was the star of the show, with an eye for cinematography, in the Old West Shows and Gun Fights performed in the bottom of the canyon. Jesse is no stranger to being shot off his horse and drug by his horse down our main road for the enjoyment of the public.

Through his teenage years, Jesse developed an interest in veterinary work, but his heart was always at home with the canyon. This interest gave him the knowledge to handle all minor veterinary care here at PDRS, as well as become the official horse pedicurist as he handles all farrier work for our herd as well. Jesse stayed by his father’s side through all trials and tribulations, so when the time came that Jim was no longer with us, he was ready to take the reins.

Jesse will be the man who hands out your horses to ya when you come ride with us, as he’s fantastic at pairing humans with their perfect ride. He’ll share with you each horse’s individual story and personality so you’re acquainted with your horse. He makes sure you’re ready and comfortable sitting in the saddle.

You’ll see Jesse riding drag on his “Ferrari” Tuffy or his new blue boy Ranger. Both Tuffy and Ranger are rescue horses that he’s devoted time and effort into showing them a better way of life.

(Photo Courtesy: Jim Livingston)

Kristin is married to the boss man, Jesse, but it didn’t start out that way. Horses have always been her passion, but there were other things that paved her path to PDRS. Kristin was accepted to WTAMU on a tennis scholarship but quickly hung up her tennis shoes for a pair of spurs in 2000. Hired on by the founder of PDRS, Jim Sorenson, she quickly found her heart again along with the love of her life. Fast forward 20 years, Kristin and Jesse have two beautiful children, 6 year old, Kodi Jo and almost 2, Jimmy Jebadia (but you’ll know him as Kash).

Most days, you will find Kristin atop the other half of her soul, (it’s okay, Jesse knows) Sugar. Sugar is a 3rd generation to PDRS, along with her little sister, FineLeigh, who is still learning her role in the herd. Fineleigh is the product of Jesse’s stallion, Rico, who was bred and raised, a second generation at PDRS and Kristin’s beloved mare, Chloe. Some might call that foreshadowing to their own children to come.

Kristin is also the first line of communication when it comes to reserving your venture with PDRS. She’s the one you’ll speak with as all reservations are made by phone to ensure you get the best and most personal experience of any other establishment.

Kaitlyn came out and rode for her 10th birthday and decided she wanted a job out here! Usually, Jim never hired anyone under the age of 16. But that didn’t stop her! She called every weekend for 4 months asking him for a job. Jim continuously told her she was too young and to wait a few years, but she just kept calling! Eventually, he gave in and she came out that next weekend in August of 2005. She spent every weekend and every summer from then on out here at PDRS working with and learning about the horses. She’s started her 15th year and has become adopted into the family! Kaitlyn and her daughter, Raegan, live down in the bottom of our canyon “across town” from Jesse and Kristin (we have a whopping population of 6 in our little frontier town). You’ll see her dancing throughout the middle of the group on her “boss mare”, Sassy or riding point on her Gypsy Lady. Turns out, when you’re around for 10+ years you start getting horses for birthdays and Christmases!

Introducing the next generation of PDRS! Kodi Jo, Raegan, and Kash.

Kodi Jo, age 7, and Kash, age 2, belong to Jesse and Kristin.

Kodi Jo is a mirror image of the original boss man, Jim, also known to her as Big Daddy. They actually share birthdays. Kodi Jo just recently purchased her very first horse. Starting at 4 years old, this determined little lady scrimped and saved by taking care of chickens, mini horses, and goats and the occasional tip from generous customers to make our spotty boy, Dude, her very own. They are a match made in heaven.

Kash is quickly coming into his own. Still riding with mom and dad, he is learning every ride. Quietly watching every move because riding horses is very serious business. It won’t be long and we’ll be chasing him down while on his very own horse.

Raegan, age 5 is Kaitlyn’s daughter. It’s her we account for turning Sissy into a kid’s horse. We’ve asked her if she wants to start saving for her first horse. She smiles and quietly says, “I don’t want to hurt Sissy’s feelings.” We’re so excited to see Raegan’s confidence build more and more every time she sits atop our gentle giants.

With two beautiful girls running around, Jesse, Kristin, and Kaitlyn are doing their very best to get them interested in horses before boys. Cause ya know, once they are, no boy will be able to afford them! 😂

Forrest is second generation here at PDRS, born and raised. Little brother to Coyote and Sugar he comes from a line of Canyon Royalty. Forrest had a rough start being born with weak flexor tendons which caused him to walk on the tops of his hooves. After about a week of painstakingly wrapping and unwrapping daily, on the last day, he shot out from us like a bullet from a gun. Watching him tear across the pasture, beating all the other horses, we yelled, “ Run, Forrest, run!”

Forrest is now one of the top rent horses. Always the first at the gate to be saddled, he is ready and willing to give everybody he comes in contact with an experience that they will not forget. He is more often than not the first in line when it comes to our rent horses. He likes to “lead the way” (even if he is behind a guide horse). His favorite tail to follow is Kaitlyn’s horse, Gypsy. They paired up during Gypsy’s training and have been inseparable (at least on Forrest’s end) ever since!

Coyote is also second generation to PDRS, born to the queen, Misty, who was working here before Jesse was even born! Dubbed the goofball of the herd, he is also one of the “alpha males” that protects the rest of the herd. Often times you will find him face down in the water trough blowing bubbles or yawning in your group picture that we take for every group that rides here at PDRS. Coyote follows his little brother, Forrest, in line because with the luscious tail that has been bestowed upon him, he helps keep the flies off of Coyote’s face. 😂 One of the traits that most folks recognize first is that Coyote has the shortest tail of any horse at the stable due to him being an Appaloosa. Therefore, he has a hard time ridding himself of those pesky flies that love him so much. But don’t worry, we have a tail extension (yes, they make those for horses) on the way! We aren’t quite skilled in the art of styling hair, but our very close friend, Auriana, is and has graciously offered to help Coyote (and more so ourselves) with the installation. 😂 Auriana Maree was once a volunteer here at PDRS and knows his story well. She was absolutely thrilled with the idea and is waiting to pencil him in once they are delivered. Coyote is one of of our most popular horses because of his personality. Big in size but a teddy bear at heart.

 Red is one of our rescue horses and has found his love for hauling kiddos, and occasionally a nervous adult, at PDRS. Before he found his way to us about 12 years ago, he was not treated very fairly and was not very fond of humans at all. It didn’t take him long to figure out that people can come with treats (particularly peanut butter crackers) and lots of love. Also called Wooly, because of his lack of losing his winter coat in a timely manner, he absolutely adores anybody that takes the time to give him a scratch. You will find Red following closely behind his best bud, Coyote, as he would probably follow him to the ends of the earth. Always make friends with the big kid, so they say. 😂 Being the reddest horse on the rent line, it’s unusual for him to be mistaken for anybody else. We’re so blessed that he was brought to us so we could show him a better way of life than what he was used to.

Peekaboo is, out of the entire herd of PDRS, the horse that has been here the longest. At a young age, she was given the coveted title of “Kid’s Horse,” carrying children from all over the world. You can rest assured that Peekaboo receives more Christmas cards every year than we do. 😂 Remembered for her riveting blue eyes under a black mask, Peekaboo is what is known as a “Medicine Hat,” considered sacred by the Comanche Nation. Revered as a horse with “magic”, horses like Peekaboo were rode by tribal chiefs and only the fiercest warriors as they were known to protect their rider with passion. But most children and their parents at PDRS will remember her as a phenomenal babysitter.

More often than not, you’ll find Peekaboo trailing closely behind Red in line. But, being an alpha mare of the herd, she can pretty well pick whatever spot in line she chooses. Just about every horse in our herd respects ol’ Peekaboo. Considered as one of the “seniors” in the herd, we expect to enjoy her for several more years to come.

Sissy, aka, Sissy Girl, is yet another second generation horse in the PDRS herd. When Sissy was just a young filly, we witnessed a very large swallowtail butterfly land on her backside. But if you ask Sissy, she was under attack by a mountain lion. We haven’t seen that horse run that fast since. 😂 We started calling her Sissy and it stuck!

Sissy rides in the middle of the line followed closely by her best friend, Lili (her story will be coming tomorrow😉). Well versed at carrying any and all adults, she has recently developed a taste for the “easy life” and will gladly show kiddos a great time (the less weight, the better😆). Thanks partly to Kaitlyn’s five year old daughter, Raegan, that will, in fact, tell you that Sissy is her horse.

Lili has been with PDRS for 15 years! Starting off as a guide horse, it didn’t take her long before she was sharing the canyon with “dudes.” Standing at 16.2 hands high, Lili is one of the taller horses at the stable. If you’re a woman of short stature, you’re more than likely going to be paired up with this big gal. (Jesse likes to make us feel tall at least once in our lives 😂)

With her kind and caring nature, you’ll hear Kristin calling Lili her “third trimester horse” as she rode her within days of having both of her and Jesse’s children.

Affectionately known as Sweet Lili or Big Lili, we’ve had to widen a few trails to accommodate her broadness. Lili follows her best friend, Sissy, closely in line and if Sissy’s not moving at a speed that is acceptable to Lili’s standards, she’ll give her a gentle shove.

Romeo, the cow horse that’s scared of cows. 😂 Or so they say. We acquired Romeo through a long time, family friend.

When acclimating a new horse to the PDRS Herd, Jesse introduces them to a few of the less dominate horses first. We witnessed the new guy separating the girls from the boys and absolutely would not let any other horse around his “girls,” he was from then on known as Romeo.

A beautiful blood bay, he follows another, Lili. He has a long time infatuation with Lili but she does not return the sentiment. If you let Romeo ride up a bit too close to her hind end, she’s gonna let you know to back off with the infamous “mare stare.” 😆

Romeo has chilled throughout the years here at PDRS and is certainly a little less distraught by cows. He is loved by many and will be by many more to come.

Here’s Skippy! He also answers to “Kevin” if you use the right tone. 😆 A beautiful dunalino paint, Skippy was rescued by a family friend, found starved and neglected. After several years of being used as a guide horse at PDRS, we chose to make him an official member of our family. You’ll find Skippy following closely behind his best bud, Romeo, carrying kiddos and nervous adults alike. Not much will bother this ol’ fella as he is one of our most mellow horses. Even getting a nip on the rear by Cisco behind him doesn’t make him blink an eye.

Those who have rode Skippy in the past can attest that he may have been quite the lush in a previous life as he always heads to the “wine barrel” water trough at the end of a ride. 😉 This barrel now holds fresh spring water right out of the canyon wall but Skippy has convinced us that it still tastes like wine.

We’ve always wanted a beautiful palomino and Cisco definitely fits the bill! Bought from a friend, he came to us scraggly and a little under weight, but with some meds and a few groceries, he shines like a brand new penny in the summer time.

He’s even made a name for himself in Texas Highway Magazine’s latest promo video, “Cisco, the palomino. Giddy up, let’s go!”

Following Skippy in line, be careful! Like Dallas folk drive, he likes to ride up that paint horse’s rear end if he moves to slow.

As Jesse always says, “It’s impossible to own a palomino cause once you buy him, he’s a “Palo-mine-o.” We love our Cisco!!!

Mookie was born and raised here at PDRS! Her momma decided that she wanted some privacy and took off walking about 2 miles down into the canyon. Jesse and I rode out the next morning in search of Misty(mom) and came across a most wonderful surprise. We knew Mookie would be as tough as an old boot, being that she had to make a 2 mile hike back to the stables on her first day of life. Mookie is our "Queen Bee".

Mookie has since been retired making 2017 her last season. She now lives a life of ease, in a pasture across the canyon from PDRS, where she keeps watch over our riders from the edge.

We sure do get busy.