Mike Baker and Shannon Ketcheson-Baker are a husband and wife team who have made horses their life. They believe in not only training a horse to be the best it can be, but train the rider to ride & know their own horse. They pride themselves on being truthful, respectful and having a true show ring presence. Loving what they do and loving horses makes each day a great ride.
Mike is a World-Renowned Judge and horse trainer. Born in Burbank, CA, moving to Texas and then back to CA, he grew up on the race track and began training for the public in the 1960’s. He started Judging in 1976 with the old American Horse Show Association in the Western division out on the west coast. His first show was in West Covina, CA, which turned out to be a huge show and things took off from there. Mike was mentored by good horseman such as Don Burt, Mac McHugh, Billy Harris & Glen Gimple. Mike now holds cards for ApHC, ApHCC, NRHA, AQHA (Reining), AHA (Arabian), USEF, Pinto, APHA (Paint) and Morgan. He has Judged the World or National shows for all cards held and has traveled to Italy, France, Canada and Germany. He has specialized in Reining horses for 40 years and has turned out many Champions. His background in the horse industry is impressive having been formerly named California’s Horseman of the Year, being inducted into the Pinto Judges Hall of Fame in 2006, currently teaching Trail at the International Equine Judges Seminar in Oklahoma City, being former Chair of the Western Division for USEF, former President of the CPHA (California Professional Horsemans Association) as well as being a clinician. Mike has been featured in several different magazines including the Appaloosa Journal, Pinto Horse Magazine and Virginia Horse Journal.
Not only is Mike a highly respected horse trainer, he is known for his tall sense of humor, patience and knowledge. He has not regretted a single day since he became a trainer and a Judge and does his upmost to promote the Associations that he is affiliated with and to treat each horse with the respect and care they deserve.
Shannon’s horse life began at the age of 2 when her horse crazy family put her on the back of a horse. Appaloosa’s were their Breed of Choice and starting in lead line she showed her way through the youth division and into Non-Pro before obtaining her first Judges card with the ApHCC over 12 years ago. She grew up in Belleville, Ontario, Canada with her parents, Ray & Carol Ketcheson and moved to VA in 2008. She holds Judges card with ApHCC, ApHC and WHAO (Western Horse Assoc. Of ON until her move to VA). She is a Certified Ring Steward at the International Equine Judges Seminar in Oklahoma City and was Chair of the 2006 Canadian National Appaloosa Show in Regina, SK. She has also Judged too numerous horse shows to mention but the stand out show for her was traveling to Dubbo, Australia, and Judging the New South Wales State Appaloosa Championships. She has been a multiple Top 1 to 5 Finisher in Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunter In Hand and Halter with the ApHCC and has served in the position of Show Manager, Awards Coordinator, Chair, Vice Chair, Ring Steward and Secretary of several Appaloosa Associations back home in Ontario. Shannon travels home when she can to see family and show horses and plans to continue obtaining more Judges cards. Shannon’s love of horses has led her to many great places including meeting Mike at an ApHCC National Show in 2003.
Today, having crossed many miles to be together, Mike and Shannon live in Salem, VA, and work out of Mount Regis Stables (a family horse operation run by Mike’s daughter Shannon Simms) located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. They take a limited number of horses in for training and specialize in Western Pleasure, Showmanship, Horsemanship, Trail and Hunter Under Saddle. Certain horses will be accepted for Reining Training by Mike. When they are not Judging or walking their three beautiful dogs (their daughters), they are riding. They are always ready to talk to you about your horse and work with you to help you obtain your goals whether you are a competitor, trail rider or simply a horse lover. Be sure to contact them to see how they can help you and your horse.