Leparchon was Bridget Fitzpatrick's first Arabian horse. The former Reno resident was 10 years old when she got Leparchon and "fell in love with the breed."
"He was very pretty, but very tough as a project," Fitzpatrick said on Monday. "He had a lot of personality."
The horse is now 22 years old and is living out his golden days on a ranch in Reno. Fitzpatrick is now 29 years old and is living out her days as the operator of Leparchon Farms Training, located on the Cutter Ridge Ranch in Minden.
Fitzpatrick's business offers horse training and riding lessons, as well as sales and showing. The Arabian specialist has been training horses for more than 10 years and has been in the professional show circuit since a teenager. This past August, she brought home one national champion title, two reserve national champ titles and six top-10 awards from the Canadian Nationals in Regina, Saskatchewan.
"I put in a lot of hours, and I love what I do," Fitzpatrick said. "Now, I'm starting out in a new area and just getting my name out there."
The horse pro has spent the last decade working out of Washoe Valley, but made the move to Minden in April when the opportunity presented itself.
"I have 15 horses in training," she said. "Most are the same horses from Washoe, but I did lose some from Reno. I'm starting to fill in with a few people from Carson, though."
Fitzpatrick said Cutter Ridge's 50-stall, heated barn and expansive tack room made the move that much sweeter.
"I like it here," she said. "There are a lot of nice and quiet people, and the place is so nice. I'm excited to not freeze to death this winter."
Fitzpatrick has three of her own horses at Cutter Ridge and uses some of the owners' horses for training purposes. She said she prefers Arabians for their versatility.
"Arabians have so many different specialties," she said. "It's a breed with something for everyone."
But Fitzpatrick doesn't limit herself to Arabians. Her customers have a variety of horse breeds, and she teaches a variety of riding styles, from Western pleasure to English saddle seat.
"I do all levels, including beginners," she said. "I do really well with kids."
Fitzpatrick still finds time to compete in about 10 shows a year, both in the region and on the national level. She is also in the process of obtaining her judge's card.
"I think the experience of both sides will be a big asset," she said.
Leparchon Farms Training is located at 1350 Highway 88. Business hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or other times by appointment.
For more information, call (775) 721-3855.
