Kirk and Shannon were raised on the “East” side of the mountains. Kirk, hails from Montana and Shannon from Colville, Washington. Horses were a way of life for Shannon and her family. Starting to ride with her Dad, Boyd Carlson at the age of three while sitting on a pillow on the back of his saddle was only the beginning. Shannon was entered in the fair by a friend of her Mom’s at the age of seven, began competing in open and 4H shows until the age of 13 and then went to show on the AQHA circuit.

Shannon’s Mom, Dinah taught her “almost” everything she knows. Chasing cows in the brush, weekend trail rides, clinics in the hot sun, horse shows in the cold, riding in the snow and taking a horse off the track and qualifying for the AQHA Youth World Championships are just a few things Dinah and Shannon accomplished together.

On the other hand, Kirk was raised in Montana and working hard was and is, a way of life. He was raised around world-class race horses yet preferred golf to horseback riding. That still holds true, but he loves to care for the horses and maintain the property.

Kirk and Shannon built Four Gables Farm together and fondly call it their “vacation home” since it is always full of wonderful friends, family and fun festivities.