About
LeeAnn Gibbs, MA –, has been “Focusing on the Right End of Things” from a very early age. From her aunt and uncle’s Shetland pony pens to professional level horse(wo)manship, LeeAnn has spent over 35 years discovering the art and science of relationship with both horse and human. Her work has been influenced by Xenophon, the Greek General, who believed that communication is the key to partnership with a horse. Along with Charles deKunffy who maintained the tradition of the ancient art of dressage by focusing on the roots of the practice – character development for the rider and attention to mental and physical development for the horse. And, Martin Buber, the Austrian-born Jewish philosopher best know for his philosophy of dialogue and his distinction between the relationships of I-Thou and I-It. These men shaped her way of being in the horse world and later translated to the human arena.
The parallels of relationship became obvious as she worked with horse and riders; business owners and their teams; principals and classroom leaders. Connection is the key to all relationships. However to be connected in relationship, requires us to first be connected to ourselves. The Divine Cowgirl journey is the art and science of homesteading our own inner landscape.
While LeeAnn jokes about her logo with the heart purposefully placed in the hindquarters of the horse, what she knows is that until we understand the foundation of how something works we are forever trying to solve symptoms in our lives. With the horse, many folks want collection and attempt to get “the look” through force, gimmicks, and leverage bits. We think we need to do something external to the “other “ – Horse, human or ourselves – in order to get a result. Collection is a result of developmental exercises that strengthen the horse mentally and physically. It comes by focusing on engagement of the hindquarters – it is the outcome of balance, discipline, development and understanding by BOTH the horse and rider. True collection is the outcome of relationship.
In a culture were there is a “cure” for every symptom, the Divine Cowgirl journey is a commitment to step by step developing the skills, beliefs and actions that create the life of your dreams from the inside out. It is not a journey for the faint of heart or for those seeking a “quick fix.”
If you find you are called to pioneer a different life, to homestead and claim your own inner frontier – then join us on the journey – join and participate in the community, attend an event, – claim the life that is calling you!
The Divine Cowgirl
