Shannon McCulloch
EC March/April, 2010
Shannon McCulloch
Age: 46
Where do you live? Forest Grove, Oregon
What is your involvement in the horse industry? I train APHA all around horses and riders.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry? Absolutely. I think it’s hard because our industry is a hobby for the client, but as a professional, I’m actually at work at a horse show. As far as dating goes, the two worlds just don’t go together. I wouldn’t want to date someone in the same profession as me, because I find it difficult to leave the business behind and enjoy a personal life that’s separate from the industry.
What do you look for in a person? Integrity. I appreciate a person who’s responsible yet has a spontaneous sense of adventure.
Dealbreaker? Not having the ability to laugh at himself and the world around him.
Celebrity Crush? Is there anyone hotter in the world than George Clooney?
What are you doing when you aren’t riding horses? Watching basketball and football, skiing, golfing and working out. Also, I like going with friends to listen to live music, shooting pool or discovering fun, new places in Portland.
Alexis Eldridge
Age: 19
Where do you live? Scottsdale, AZ
What is your involvement in the horse industry? My family owns Cabrillas Paint Horse Ranch, home of I Only Date models. My dad and I enjoy showing horses together.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry? No I don’t. I think if you find the right person, it should be easy.
Dealbreaker: Cheating
Celebrity Crush: Brad Pitt
What do you do when you are not showing horses? I am currently studying to become a pediatric nurse at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. I love spending time with my family and friends, they are such an amazing part of my life. Also, I like to go shopping and enjoy running.
Amy Marie Darnell
Age: 26
Where do you live? Maple Plain, Minnesota
What is your involvement in the horse industry? I am a non-pro and I compete in NSBA and AQHA competition. I started showing when I was 7 and did mostly the all-around events. I am currently more involved with the NSBA futurities because my school schedule does not allow me as much time to haul to the weekend events.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry? Most definitely. The horse show scene is a tough one to really get to know someone. It is great to meet people from all over the country, but that also makes it difficult to know who they really are. Showing horses also creates a lot of long distance relationships, which are usually hard under normal circumstances. Another element that makes it difficult to date within the horse industry is the overall ratio of men to women. At least at the AQHA and NSBA shows, there are significantly more women than men. Being able to find a person that shares your values in that type of environment is extremely difficult. I think that many people end up in relationships with other ‘horse people’ simply because it is convenient. That’s definitely not for me.
What do you look for in a person? The first thing I look for in a person is honesty and integrity. This holds true for friend relationships and romantic relationships. I also value humor, especially in the competitive environment of the horse shows. We are all there to perform well and do our best, but even at the big futurities we are not “riding for world peace,” as my family likes to say. We need to be able to laugh and have fun, too. I want to be with someone who makes me laugh! Another important thing for me is to find someone who likes their job.
Dealbreaker? Lying and cheating are intolerable. If I can’t trust the person I am with, there is no relationship. I would choose to be single before I would allow myself to be treated that way.
What are you doing when you aren’t riding horses? Right now, I am in nursing school at St. Catherine University in Minneapolis. I work part-time at two long-term care facilities. I also enjoy spending time with friends and reading anything that is not homework-related. However, during time off from school, I try to get to as many shows as possible. It’s an addiction!
Andrea Shaffer
Age: 23
Where do you live? Lapeer, Michigan
What is your involvement in the horse industry? I am an assistant horse trainer for Dwayne and Katy Jo Pickard.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry? Yes, horse shows don’t usually leave much time for dating and that’s really the only time you get to see everyone.
What do you look for in a person? I think having the abilities to laugh easily and to get along with almost anyone are pretty important qualities, especially for the industry we are in.
Dealbreaker? Rudeness
Celebrity Crush? It usually depends on the most recent movie I have seen, but right now it’s Ryan Reynolds.
What are you doing when you aren’t riding horses? I attempt the whole going to the gym and working out thing…sometimes it happens…sometimes it doesn’t. When I’m skipping the gym, I’m usually hanging out with Skylar Pickard or watching movies.
Ali Eidson
Age: 20
Where do you live? Abilene, Texas/Athens, Georgia
What is your involvement in the horse industry? I have been showing Paints and Quarter horses since I was 5 years old.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry?
I find both dating inside the industry and outside difficult. I have found that when you date someone outside the industry they don’t understand what horse showing is about and you spend most of your time together trying to describe what we do. They also have a problem understanding that showing comes first and foremost. Dating inside the industry is hard not only because of the 100-to-1 female to male ratio, but also because there is usually a distance issue.
What do you look for in a person? I prefer tall, handsome and built, but I really need someone with good hygiene and a little hair. All kidding aside, the men I find most attractive are self-confident, up for anything, and are extremely trustworthy.
Dealbreaker? Cheating and lying. There isn’t an excuse good enough for either.
Celebrity Crush? David Beckham
What are you doing when you aren’t riding horses? When I’m not riding, I’m at school at the University of Georgia studying.
Lacey Armour
Age: 28
Where do you live? Raleigh, NC
What is your involvement in the horse industry? I show hunter under saddle in the amateur and non-pro events.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry? I think it depends on the person. Dating outside the industry can be hard because people typically do not understand or can’t deal with what it means to be involved in showing horses. When you’re with someone in the industry you both have that understanding, but distance and time apart can be challenging. I don’t think one way is easier than the other; it just takes the right person to make it work.
What do you look for in a person? Someone who is down-to-earth, has a great sense of humor, someone who can laugh at themselves, who doesn’t try to be something they’re not and has ambition in life.
Dealbreaker? Arrogance
Celebrity Crush? Matt Damon
What are you doing when you aren’t riding horses? I love going to the beach, anything outdoors, and being with my family.
Kasey Hawkes
Age: 22
Where do you live? Powhatan, Virginia
What is your involvement in the horse industry? I show in non-pro and amateur hunter under saddle.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry? I think that dating within the horse industry has its pros and cons. It’s really nice to be with a person who totally understands the dedication and hard work that comes with trying to reach your goals. On the other hand, there can be quite a bit of drama when you date someone who shows. You must have trust in the person you are with and in your relationship.
What do you look for in a person? My #1 characteristic is honesty. If you don’t have that, your relationship is pretty much doomed from the start. Other than that, I want to be with someone I can trust, has a good personality, and can make me laugh.
Dealbreaker? Being dishonest in any way, shape, or form.
Celebrity Crush? Taylor Kitsch from Friday Night Lights.
What are you doing when you aren’t riding horses? Going to school, hanging out with friends (all the usual girl stuff)
EC March/April, 2010
Shannon McCulloch
Age: 46
Where do you live? Forest Grove, Oregon
What is your involvement in the horse industry? I train APHA all around horses and riders.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry? Absolutely. I think it’s hard because our industry is a hobby for the client, but as a professional, I’m actually at work at a horse show. As far as dating goes, the two worlds just don’t go together. I wouldn’t want to date someone in the same profession as me, because I find it difficult to leave the business behind and enjoy a personal life that’s separate from the industry.
What do you look for in a person? Integrity. I appreciate a person who’s responsible yet has a spontaneous sense of adventure.
Dealbreaker? Not having the ability to laugh at himself and the world around him.
Celebrity Crush? Is there anyone hotter in the world than George Clooney?
What are you doing when you aren’t riding horses? Watching basketball and football, skiing, golfing and working out. Also, I like going with friends to listen to live music, shooting pool or discovering fun, new places in Portland.
Alexis Eldridge
Age: 19
Where do you live? Scottsdale, AZ
What is your involvement in the horse industry? My family owns Cabrillas Paint Horse Ranch, home of I Only Date models. My dad and I enjoy showing horses together.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry? No I don’t. I think if you find the right person, it should be easy.
Dealbreaker: Cheating
Celebrity Crush: Brad Pitt
What do you do when you are not showing horses? I am currently studying to become a pediatric nurse at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. I love spending time with my family and friends, they are such an amazing part of my life. Also, I like to go shopping and enjoy running.
Amy Marie Darnell
Age: 26
Where do you live? Maple Plain, Minnesota
What is your involvement in the horse industry? I am a non-pro and I compete in NSBA and AQHA competition. I started showing when I was 7 and did mostly the all-around events. I am currently more involved with the NSBA futurities because my school schedule does not allow me as much time to haul to the weekend events.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry? Most definitely. The horse show scene is a tough one to really get to know someone. It is great to meet people from all over the country, but that also makes it difficult to know who they really are. Showing horses also creates a lot of long distance relationships, which are usually hard under normal circumstances. Another element that makes it difficult to date within the horse industry is the overall ratio of men to women. At least at the AQHA and NSBA shows, there are significantly more women than men. Being able to find a person that shares your values in that type of environment is extremely difficult. I think that many people end up in relationships with other ‘horse people’ simply because it is convenient. That’s definitely not for me.
What do you look for in a person? The first thing I look for in a person is honesty and integrity. This holds true for friend relationships and romantic relationships. I also value humor, especially in the competitive environment of the horse shows. We are all there to perform well and do our best, but even at the big futurities we are not “riding for world peace,” as my family likes to say. We need to be able to laugh and have fun, too. I want to be with someone who makes me laugh! Another important thing for me is to find someone who likes their job.
Dealbreaker? Lying and cheating are intolerable. If I can’t trust the person I am with, there is no relationship. I would choose to be single before I would allow myself to be treated that way.
What are you doing when you aren’t riding horses? Right now, I am in nursing school at St. Catherine University in Minneapolis. I work part-time at two long-term care facilities. I also enjoy spending time with friends and reading anything that is not homework-related. However, during time off from school, I try to get to as many shows as possible. It’s an addiction!
Andrea Shaffer
Age: 23
Where do you live? Lapeer, Michigan
What is your involvement in the horse industry? I am an assistant horse trainer for Dwayne and Katy Jo Pickard.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry? Yes, horse shows don’t usually leave much time for dating and that’s really the only time you get to see everyone.
What do you look for in a person? I think having the abilities to laugh easily and to get along with almost anyone are pretty important qualities, especially for the industry we are in.
Dealbreaker? Rudeness
Celebrity Crush? It usually depends on the most recent movie I have seen, but right now it’s Ryan Reynolds.
What are you doing when you aren’t riding horses? I attempt the whole going to the gym and working out thing…sometimes it happens…sometimes it doesn’t. When I’m skipping the gym, I’m usually hanging out with Skylar Pickard or watching movies.
Ali Eidson
Age: 20
Where do you live? Abilene, Texas/Athens, Georgia
What is your involvement in the horse industry? I have been showing Paints and Quarter horses since I was 5 years old.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry?
I find both dating inside the industry and outside difficult. I have found that when you date someone outside the industry they don’t understand what horse showing is about and you spend most of your time together trying to describe what we do. They also have a problem understanding that showing comes first and foremost. Dating inside the industry is hard not only because of the 100-to-1 female to male ratio, but also because there is usually a distance issue.
What do you look for in a person? I prefer tall, handsome and built, but I really need someone with good hygiene and a little hair. All kidding aside, the men I find most attractive are self-confident, up for anything, and are extremely trustworthy.
Dealbreaker? Cheating and lying. There isn’t an excuse good enough for either.
Celebrity Crush? David Beckham
What are you doing when you aren’t riding horses? When I’m not riding, I’m at school at the University of Georgia studying.
Lacey Armour
Age: 28
Where do you live? Raleigh, NC
What is your involvement in the horse industry? I show hunter under saddle in the amateur and non-pro events.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry? I think it depends on the person. Dating outside the industry can be hard because people typically do not understand or can’t deal with what it means to be involved in showing horses. When you’re with someone in the industry you both have that understanding, but distance and time apart can be challenging. I don’t think one way is easier than the other; it just takes the right person to make it work.
What do you look for in a person? Someone who is down-to-earth, has a great sense of humor, someone who can laugh at themselves, who doesn’t try to be something they’re not and has ambition in life.
Dealbreaker? Arrogance
Celebrity Crush? Matt Damon
What are you doing when you aren’t riding horses? I love going to the beach, anything outdoors, and being with my family.
Kasey Hawkes
Age: 22
Where do you live? Powhatan, Virginia
What is your involvement in the horse industry? I show in non-pro and amateur hunter under saddle.
Do you think it is hard to date within the horse industry? I think that dating within the horse industry has its pros and cons. It’s really nice to be with a person who totally understands the dedication and hard work that comes with trying to reach your goals. On the other hand, there can be quite a bit of drama when you date someone who shows. You must have trust in the person you are with and in your relationship.
What do you look for in a person? My #1 characteristic is honesty. If you don’t have that, your relationship is pretty much doomed from the start. Other than that, I want to be with someone I can trust, has a good personality, and can make me laugh.
Dealbreaker? Being dishonest in any way, shape, or form.
Celebrity Crush? Taylor Kitsch from Friday Night Lights.
What are you doing when you aren’t riding horses? Going to school, hanging out with friends (all the usual girl stuff)
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