Karen   And    Bill

Achin Acres in located off of the I-15 in the town of Yermo....that is just past Barstow in the high desert.  My husband Bill named the Ranch Achin Acres  due to all the hard work we have put into the place and believe me we have had many achin days and nights.......but we love our little desert oasis.

This passion for horses started around the age of 3 or 4 according to my mother.  It has only grown over the years.  My first experiences were with other peoples horses. I would get on the wildest things around no matter how many times I got bucked off just to be able to be around these magnificent creatures. 

                           I started breaking Shetland ponies around the age of 8 or 10, the kind                                   that came from the carnivals.  I would retrain them to not just travel in a                               circle but  to be ridden out on the trail.  Then I caught the Barrel Racing                               bug. All I wanted to do was go fast and fast I did. After years of begging                              and pleading, my mother, finally gave in and purchased my first horse at                               the age of 12 or 13.  His name was

                         Shonee and he was fast.  I would                                 him to the barrel him have to ride him to the barrel races at the Riverside

rancheros early in the morning because we didn't own

a trailer. I would get there early enough for him to

rest up before we did the gymkhana and then after-

wards my dad would take my saddle home and I would

ride Shonee back to the stables.  We were unbeatable

and we used to race everyone around that thought they could beat him.  My barrel racing passion was all I pursued until I met my Husband and he introduced me to his draft horse and driving.......and another passion emerged.

                               

                               Over the next few years I started to develop other horse interests. Bill and                           and I went on the road with his niece showing her paint horses in halter.

                               I found yet another interest.  However a bit slow for this barrel racer.

                             When the time came  to retire my barrel horse, I decided

                            I decided I would teach him to drive.  That first

                              year proved a challenge..but then again I have

                              never been one to pass up a challenge. So when

                               the judges told me to forget trying to teach a

barrel horse to drive......I bit! That next year Poe and I (the horse

in the above racing pics) went on to win every class in driving and even a few parades.  My dream was to have him pull my carriage at my wedding when I finally decided to settle down again and that dream not only transpired for me...but he pulled one for my parents 50th and my sisters wedding as well.

In December of 2004 I was in a major head on collision that

made me decide to stop barrel racing.  My husband, knowing

my passion for horses was not going to end,  purchased my first

2 minis for my birthday.  Achin Acres Miniatures was formed.

We have gone on to breed train and show these wonderful little

guys.  It has become a family affair, my grandson Austin and my

daughter Denise come and help out as well.  I am hoping my son

and other grandson will join in this year......

There is still one more wonderful part to this story.......

My best Friend... Kat ( Windy Ridge Miniatures)  was there the day my horse Shonee arrived  and together we pledged that one day we would have a ranch of our own, you see we have been BFF'S since the age of 8.  Now that dream is coming true as we both are enjoying the minis.  That is Kat driving the carriage on my Wedding Day!

Contact us:

Karenlaymanclark@hotmail.com

760-254-3319

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