Mary Jane Brown was born into a family horse packing operation located in the second deepest canyon in the US on the mighty Salmon River. She learned from the start to negotiate difficult trails and handle horses in places most riders never dare to try. In her early teens she was recruited to train at a private boarding school in California specializing in English riding. She expanded her horizons by showing and riding hunters and jumpers at International events. Upon returning to Idaho with an even greater thirst for knowledge she pursued lessons and showing opportunities in reining, pleasure, trail and ranch versatility. Her high school rodeo career included breakaway roping, barrels, poles, team roping and cutting. Her next stop was apprenticing with NRCHA World Champion Trainer and Hall of Fame recipient, Doug Williamson, riding and working with World and Reserve World Champion horses. She went on to bred and train great performances horses on her own while raising two talented riders who have excelled in the horse world. Her son, Joe Painter, is a rope, ranch and cutting horse trainer, having competed at the National level in high school rodeo. Joe's awards included saddles and horse trailers in the roping pen and has gone on to train champion horses in the cutting world. Her travels throughout Idaho, the Northwest and Arizona have netted her significant awards including All Around Champion titles. Once her kids set off on their own, Mary Jane wanted to give back and share her joy for competition, horses and people, by giving lessons and clinics. Over the past several years she has judged at Mountain Trail Horse competitions throughout the northwest including the Wild Cowgirls Enterprises Cowboy Mountain Trail Challenge, the Eastern Slope Mountain Trail Classic, the Bonina Trail Challenge, and the Northwest Nationals and National Mountain Trail Competitions at the Oregon Horse Center. She focuses her expertise teaching trail, ranch horse versatility and working cow horse disciplines, both at the clinic and private lesson level. Mary Jane also judges open and 4-H shows throughout the region. She has a passion for helping horse owners be the best that they can be and teaching quality horsemanship to help people enjoy their animals to the fullest. If you ask her, she’ll just say she’s an old cowgirl, but her vast experience makes her an expert when it comes to horses. Her straightforward teaching style has helped riders of all levels. She has coached several students to national titles, as well as helping first timers get started. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced student, you can be sure that Mary Jane will take the time to help you and your horse get better and have fun doing it!
