A few years ago, Sue Van Galder (professional barrel racer, trainer and instructor) began Kissing S Equine in Grass Valley, California. She saw there was a great need for quality trained barrel horses and she also believed riders needed to be matched with appropriate horses. Kissing S Equine targeted its full services to people interested in joining this fast growing equine sport. But she didn't stop at that. Once the horse and rider were matched as a "team," they often needed a place where they could receive continuing instruction together. Sue began her "Team Instruction," which consists of harmonizing horse and rider - dealing with the individuality of each. She offers all levels of instruction, from beginning horsemanship through professional barrel racing lessons with weekly group classes, designed to progress the skills of each "team" member (the horse and the rider). Check her schedule for more information. "I have had a great priviledge being able to watch my students learn and apply their skills!" says Sue. " The week night jackpot barrel races we started in Grass Valley (every Wednesday, November - April) over 10 years ago, have since been taken over by NCHI and is bigger and better than ever! Each season has grown in attendance, especially with the "triple sanctioning" of the American West, NSBRA and PacWest clubs. As always, these races are a great place to get started and solid. Sue is reminded of how the years are flying by when she sees some of her first students having families of their own, and all of a sudden she is teaching them and their kids, too! "Wow!" she says, "That's one of the great things about horses - you really don't have to ever "outgrow" them!" When the Kissing S Team is not racing, they get together during the week for group classes to keep tuned up and advance their learning.