My name is Deanne Elhardt or formally known as Deanne Ritter. I grew up in Cottage Grove, MN. I showed primary games & in the Washington County area. I have been a avid horse lover & owner since I can remember and since my parents can ever want to remember! I took my love for horses even further when I decided to go to college in Oklahoma, I studied and graduated in Advanced Horseshoeing & Horse Training & Breaking. I returned to MN and started working for some wonderful people Jack and Mary Marty. Managing, working and breaking some horses for their Ranch, Valley View Farm in Hastings, MN. I learnt allot about owning, caring and running a business for the purpose of others and their horses. In that time I had built great client tell for my Farrier business. During that time I had also dipped my fingers into the training/buying/selling/trading market of horses and have really enjoyed all the wonderful people and horses I have met and dealt with. After three years at Valley View Farm I decided to spread my wings and move on. I can't thank Jack and Mary Marty enough for the wonderful and life changing opportunity they gave me.

I moved to the "sticks" Bigfork, MN. IM now married and bought an old farm, which we are slowly redoing. My husband & I eventually plan to build my dream ranch! After moving north, I have been busy trying to rebuild my client list for my Farrier work and spreading my name into the horse market up here. IM currently taking in new training horses for breaking, general riding down to barrel/game horse training. When I train or sell a horse I hope to build a trust and friendship between my clients and hope to have their business in the future for their next horse need!

When my good friend Cindy Olson came to me with the offer to buy this website I just couldn't resist. How else do you mix business with pleasure better than this website?? I hope that I can make this website available and meet expectations for every person out there like me! If you have any questions or comments please let me know. Thank you and enjoy your visit at WSCAHorses!

Feel free to browse below and read about clients, enjoy their picture and story!

As of Fall of 08 we tore down the old existing barn and put up a (3) 10x12 stalled open front lean to shed with an attached tack and feed room. In the spring of 09 we put up a 60 foot round pen along with fencing in an additional 5 acres of pasture and summer of 09 I finally got my wish and had the 100x200 outdoor arena put up. After we recover from the debt we are now in we plan on putting up a nice barn (lol).. UPDATE: Plans for 2010 are in the making. We will be putting up a 6 stall (8x10) barn with hay & tack room this year next to the 100x200 outdoor arena, along with additional paddocks

We take video of our horses that are in for training, whether its breaking out colts, finishing, tuning or training for speed events. To watch video's of horses we have trained go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/dandeehorses?feature=mhw5

I sent an unbroke 4yr mare to Deanne in late summer/fall of 09.. Wow I couldn't believe what 30 days did. She is not finished as Deanne stated she wouldn't be. But she is far enough along that we have the confidence of putting the miles on her and getting her "more finished" on our own. She now ties and trailers too! Thanks Deanne! Sincerely Karen Johnson p.s. she is doing great!

I just wanted to thank you again for Rain! She is such a wonderful girl, I could not have asked for a better horse for my son! She has been such a great horse so far for us. In the short time we have had her she has amazed me in so many ways. One of the first times I rode her I was just putzing around the yard with her and hopped on bare-back with just a halter and lead rope, not more than 5 mins after I decided to hop on her my son decided that he needed to ride her too! Despite my yelling telling him to STOP! he kept running straight for us yelling and screaming at th top of his lungs. Then not only was he yelling but not paying attention and ran right into Rain's legs! OH MY GOD was goint through my head... BUT.... Rain just stood there, put her nose down to Logan and nuzzled him. At that point I reached down grabed his little arm and pulled him up with me, and stll she just stood there. Once he was settled on and I was ready myself away we went down the drive-way out on to the dirt road. That right there made me realize what a TREASURE I had gotten! The training you put into her is amazing! She has such a great work attitude and is so calm and gentle around my son. And to top it off she is YOUNG, only 5! I am so excited for the years to come with her and my son. I cant even imagine how much fun they will have together in the years to come! There are many days when I miss the horse I traded you for Rain, then she amazes me even more and I remember how blessed I am to have found such a wonderful horse. You did such a wonderful job on her training and made her to be the best horse possible for my son and me. THANK YOU! I cant tell enough people how wonderful your training is!

Thanks again, over and over,

I've been meaning to update you on Royal and I have finally gotten around to it. The little mare is amazing. We just got a letter from the WSCA that she was reserve hi-point game horse of the 2009 Champ show! Isn't that something? Allison was so proud of her. She got placeings in barrels, key, pennant, 4 in line barrels and speed dash. She had a blazing figure 8 but knocked the jump(she never knocks the jump) . If she would have done that, she would have been champion hi point. The AQHA also gave a bronze trophy for the American Quarter horse with the most points in games. Royal tied with Ev Morehouse on Vortac, but Ev got the award because she had a first place and Royal had all 2nds. Allison's sister, McKayla was the Champion (first place hi point) on her good little POA Annie get your gun. Allison was also 3rd in the high points with Penny, her quarter pony. Those girls really tore the show up! Anyway, last year we took Royal to the Champ show and she got so nervous she made herself sick. But this year, she came to run. She was 2nd in girl's barrels and 4th in jumping figure 8 at the Minnesota State Fair too. Last winter, they went to Red Horse Arena and Royal won the youth barrels and about $400.00. She rates the games real well and really tries hard. We almost gave up on her because she got so upset at the Champ show last year....she just needed a long time to grow up and gain confidence. Allison took it real slow with her and rides her alot. Now she has a horse she is really proud of...thanks for such a nice horse. We tell everyone where we got her and some people recognize her that must have known you. They say,"Is that Royal?" We say yes and they just can't believe it. We got her papers straightened out too so she has the correct markings and all that.

I have bought two horses from Deanne, a bay trail gelding and a sorrel game mare. They have both been exactly what she claimed and better! Sue Kreck, MN

Deanne, I just love the work you did with Cocktail, his barrels are beautiful and he is turning so quickly, not only did his barrels get better, he is an all around better riding horse. I used to be skeptical brining him out on trails, but now he has allot of confidence in himself, which in returns makes me more confident to ride him as well. I was skeptical of hauling a horse half way cross the state to a trainer, but I had read your other testimonials, saw pictures and video of other horses you have trained and broke and took the chance. IM glad I did! If I ever have another horse that needs training or know of someone looking I will give them your number.. Thanks again! Kristy Radke. (North Dakota)

Deanne, Are you reading this? I hope so, I wanted to get your attention on this one!! The man upstairs gave me a wonderful day to ride, and I did. So, I have a problem, or not a problem at all if we can get you!!

2 horses I have purchased from you with the same goddamn problem, NICE!! Just how we like 'em and we can't say we can do a better job!!!

Secondly, I would like too... if you wouldn't mind.. promote you as "my trainer" or the trainer I recommend on my website!!!! You should start every horse in this state!!!! All those "trainers" out there and most don't know the head from the tail!!! (No offense to the real pro's out there)

Deanne.... there are so many LITTLE reasons why we have not sent a horse off for training, one being that I hadn't found anyone in this area that I felt could do a better job than I could on my own horses, so many can get them riding nice but the horses just are not what they should be. What I see with both Jake and Nifty, you are not lacking in those areas that I feel is important! The little details, you have catered too, and that's what I want in a horse. Your horses, well they remain horses, not idiots who ride. They are people confident, ride wonderful and to be honest... I can't find a glitch in them?? You seem to be ABSOLUTELY the best trainer I have come across in all my years of horses. So many trainers I have come in direct contact with, well they claim they are trainers but.... I highly question the ability and/or the experience they have in starting a colt! Anybody can get on and ride, but to actually train is another story! I feel you do the job and do it right! I can't top you!!! Jake was a very sensitive horse when I got him, pretty freakin screwed up but he was coming around. I'm so happy that you didn't set him in a backward spiral. He hated people, was hard to catch, simply had no trust when he came to me. He's even sweeter and nicer dimeaner wise than when he left. THATS 99% of the reason I am stating this today! I've been around some damn well broke show horses that can rein and cut or run but... they HATE people. Not Nifty, Not Jake and that... too me is the most important factor in a trainer. To TRAIN a horse, not break the spirit and spit out a non responsive, dull, uninterested horse. A little play in them, that's the way they should be!!!

All I can say is Jake did change allot!!! Plus the barrel pattern work you put on him. He is mature and broke nice now... not a green horn anymore. THANK YOU!

And, I would love to promote you to everyone as the BEST trainer I know! Sincerely, Shay Peterson Monticello MN

Hello Everyone, I met Deanne threw the WSCAHORSES website, I have bought 3 horses and 5 saddles from her, she is a girl that knows horse's, and you can trust her word...all the horses have been awesome and what she said, 1 horse was to much (competitive) of a horse for my daughter, but Deanne gladly took her back and help me find the right one. She is honest, talented, and devoted to what she loves. Oh and did I mention a GREAT PERSON TO WORK WITH. WSCA HORSES is the best web site out there, (IM telling ya) thanks to Deanne I have many special horse's in my life, and found someone I can trust & now a life long friend. Thanks Deanne.. Tina Quilling (Dayton, MN)

My experience in doing business with Deanne was better than I expected. I bought a horse from her she had advertised her ad was very detailed and after talking to her on the phone, she confirmed again everything that her ad said. I took a chance, and met her at a truck stop/gas station, 125 miles from home, still very skeptical. when she unloaded this horse, she was absolutely everything Deanne had promised. Deanne is very easy to work with, and she will do her best to find you just what you are looking for. I now have fancy at home here, and we have been riding almost everyday, since I brought her home. if I am ever in need of another horse, I would definitely go through Deanne first.. thank you - Deanne!!

I have purchased two horses from Deanne, and would like to say that she is a very honest and trust worthy horse gal. We have owned our two year old buckskin for over a year, and he has been every thing she promised he would be. We have just recently purchased a beautiful Pinto barrel horse in August of this year that was trained by Deanne and again, just what she promised and more. She is very easy to deal with and very supportive of any questions or issues that may arise. In the industry as it is today it is very hard to find someone who is honest and that you can trust, it seems that everyone is just trying to make a buck and would tell you anything to sell you a horse. Not Deanne!! I would buy another horse from her in a second, I trust her training abilities and judgement 100% and she’s even a nice gal to boot. If anyone would like to contact me for further information please feel free, you can get my information from Deanne.