Kim Crooks is a John and Josh Lyons Certified Trainer, with nearly twenty years of experience. Her interest in horses began when she was a teenager, riding young and reckless on her father’s horses in Nebraska. However, her early adult years took her life in a different direction. It was not until 1998, when she and her husband purchased a pony for their two young daughters, that Kim rekindled her passion for horses. One pony soon turned into five horses, most of whom turned out to need extensive training. As they say, necessity is the mother of all invention, and Kim found herself learning and loving this thing called horse training. Over the next several years, she pursued an education through demos, videos, books, and personal instruction. As her youngest daughter, Danielle, grew and developed her own passion for training, their partnership began to take form.

In the fall of 2012, Kim took her training to the next level by riding with Josh Lyons for two months and completing his Certification program. She came home with not only a greater knowledge of horses, but a desire to help others reach their best. She now rides, trains, and teaches professionally out of Crystal Creek Ranch.

Kim’s experience with horses of all kinds over the years uniquely qualifies her for working with students to gain confidence and control in riding. Her patience in teaching may well have been developed while homeschooling her two girls k-12, and has helped make her the approachable, relatable, and down-to-earth trainer that she is. Kim’s passion lies in developing reliable horses with a strong foundation, and equipping riders with the knowledge and ability to do more than they ever thought possible…Promoting the best in horse and rider.

Danielle Crooks has been riding since she was three years old, and her obsession with horses has only grown over the years. What began with old western movies, cowboy life fantasies, and one very patient Arabian rescue, soon led Danielle to discover her passion for training. Over the next fourteen years, she broadened her experience through a collection of clinics, workshops, competitions, and learning opportunities with various horsemen.

In the fall of 2012, Danielle completed the John and Josh Lyons Certification program in Cross Plains, Tennessee. Two years later, she went to work with Ken McNabb, and graduated with his Master Trainer Certification. In the spring of 2017, Danielle returned to Tennessee for yet another training accomplishment: Josh Lyons’ Accreditation. These titles represent an ongoing journey, as she continues to ride and learn from the best to improve herself for the benefit of her horses and her students.

Danielle enjoys many breeds, disciplines, and aspects of the horse industry, though her fascination lies in areas such as sorting, reining, and ranch work. She loves the challenge of high-level performance riding, and daring stunts with friends. Her patience, integrity, and passion set Danielle apart as a trainer who takes the time to develop each horse, while her teaching experience and way with words make her a sought after instructor.