Your Trainer - Philip Dalton Elder
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Phil Elder, born and raised in Tennessee... Why Horses? Horses have always been a part of the Elder family. Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Philip Elder spent summers as a boy riding horses in the Tennessee and North Carolina mountains, and at 13 started helping at Sky Valley Camp in North Carolina at the barn with 18-20 horses. At 16, he shared the responsibility of taking care of the horses, and instructing over 80 campers ages 9-14 in horse safety, care of the horse, and trail riding. Phil competed in the Southeast in equitation, hunter jumper, and various hunter classes. He spent a year after college riding and working cattle in Australia before settling down with a family in the States. Returning to the States, he was hired by Bob Love to find a ranch property. After finding a 1640 acre property in South Eastern Kansas he settled into making it operational. In the meantime he dated and proposed to Becky Love, who had been a great college friend and companion. Now the show was on! From 1989-2001, Philip competed in Saddle Club events all over Kansas and went to Nationals 4 times. Philip was trained by John Lyons in 2008 at a seminar in Parachute, CO. He again was instructed in horse training by Josh Lyons in 2010 and became a Lyon’s Certified Trainer in October of 2010. I have always observed the relationship of horses and people to be one of the richest and most rewarding experiences a person can have. Many times the horse will teach you more than you are teaching the horse, that is if you are observant, patient, persevering. |
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“I work with horses because I love them (“Philip” means lover of horses), and I think they are one of the most noble of creatures God has put on this earth”
Philip's attentive instruction and gentle patience has given our entire family (ages 2 to 37) immeasurable confidence on horseback. His understanding and knowledge of horses, and horse training is unparalleled. ~ CL |
Phil’s Education includes: ♞ The McCallie School, a military school in Chattanooga, Tennessee. University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, BA English Literature. Phil’s Work History: ♞ 8 months working for the Garland Sherman Co. (a masonry contracting company) in Chattanooga. ♞ 1 year working in Kaikohe, New Zealand at the Kaikohe Garage and playing rugby for the Kaikohe Bay of Islands Rugby team. Philip was the “first American granted a 1 year extension” on his visa because of rugby. The Kaikohe team won the Bay of Islands rugby championship that year and played in the 1975 North Island Rugby Championships. ♞ 1 year working in Australia. First for the Esperance Land and Cattle Company in Western Australia, then for Antony Baillieu at his property in the state of Victoria. Work involved cattle and sheep management and some crop planting and harvesting. ♞ Employed from 1976-2005 by Bob Love in various capacities, including General Manager of ranching operation in Elk City, Ks. Assisted in the leadership team for a sawmill and pallet manufacturing plant in Fayetteville, Ark. Various positions at the Wichita, Ks Corrugated Box plant, eventually promoted to Manufacturing Manager of Wichita in 1987, then COO of the company (Love Box Co. ) operations in the Midwest. |