WHERE I CAME FROM
Iris was born and raised in Austria, in Villach. At the age of 5, Iris discovered her love of horses. By age 11, she had acquired her own Quarter Horse. As Iris's ambitions grew she worked hard on her skills, training and learning as much as possible.
At the age of 16, Iris began her competitive career where she showed her own horses. Much time was spent in Italy competing in Youth and Limited Non-pro classes.
At the age of 19 Iris began an 2 year long apprenticeship-journey to the United States where she learned from several great trainers including: Darren Stancik, Dean Latimer, Brent Loeske and Craig Johnson.
Back in Europe, Iris worked for Karin & Ruggero Prevedel in Italy. Following her tenure in Italy she started her own training facility in Austria, the original home of Rose Valley Performance Horses.
To expand her skills in the all-around division, Iris attended clinics and returned to the United States yearly to work with trainers including: Doug & Stacy Huls (Hunter, Trail, Pleasure, Pleasure Driving, Horsemanship, Showmanship, Western Riding).
Iris came to Southern California in early 2013 to establish a training center that would combine the classical equestrian heritage of Europe with the competitiveness of the United States. In the short time she has been on US soil, Iris Petschenig has established herself as more than capable with a thriving barn and training business.
Currently Iris enjoys working with clients and their horses in the United States from her new home base in Valley View, TX.
Iris' passion is for the Quarter Horse and she has been a familiar face on the European AQHA and NRHA circuit for many years as an exhibitor winning multiple European Championships in Trail, Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Western Riding and Reining.
Iris' training focuses on VRH, Stock Horse, Ranch Riding and Reining horses in addition to All Around Competition. She loves nothing more than the process of taking a two year old prospect and with patience turning them into a competitive Futurity or Non-Pro horse.
Iris believes that a young horse requires focus to learn his job. The horses are worked daily at the resident facility whose private location is an ideal learning environment for training and schooling young or inexperienced horses.
Iris' coaching and lessons also take place at the Gainesville facility, as well. This quiet, private and drama-free atmosphere is ideal to support clients taking lessons and traveling the show circuits together.
Iris generally spends her morning training young horses then spends her afternoons giving lessons and helping clients with more experienced horses. No matter what your needs may be, you can count on Iris to help you achieve your goals.
If you're looking to improve your standings on the AQHA circuit, you and your horse have found the right place to be! If you're a Non-pro looking for some fine tuning on the NRHA circuit, Iris is an ideal choice to give both you and your horse the edge you need.
If you're looking for someone to help you find that perfect horse to get you to the next level, count on Iris to comb through her extensive contacts in both the North American and European communities to get you just what you need!
WHAT I AM ABOUT
