Family Profile: Cassandre Ehrle And Alex Baca

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372 – September/October, 2025

By Megan Sacia Ulrich

The city of Chino Hills in southern California is a suburban equestrian community nestled among cattle and horse ranches–and the childhood home of sisters Cassie Ehrle and Alex Baca. It’s no surprise that the girls developed an early love for horses given those surroundings. In fact, a shared experience at a local pony camp ignited the spark that took hold of their hearts and continues their passion for horses today.

As a four-year-old, Cassie was diagnosed with leukemia. With a severely compromised immune system, traditional team sports and indoor kids’ activities were recipes for disaster. Since pony camp was a low risk, outdoor activity, Cassie’s oncology team gave it the nod, and both girls were soon enrolled. Alex was 10 and Cassie was 6. The camp was home to a little, blue roan pony named Jesse James (JJ) who tried to buck off every kid brave enough to swing a leg over him. Alex found this hilarious and always picked him to ride. She would ride JJ bareback, even learning to jump aboard him. Soon, she took him to her first show, competing in the Short Stirrup Cross-rails, and she came home with a pile of ribbons. There would be no turning back for the Ehrle family as the girls’ chorus of begging for horse ownership reached new heights. Later that year, the family leased their first horse. His name was Toby, and he was a retired cross country jumper. Then, once Cassie was in remission, they purchased their first Quarter Horse, Zippo Sweet Talkin, who they called Marley.

Click here to read the complete article
372 – September/October, 2025