A lifetime of Western Riding, showing at the local level, and training and caring for her own horses prepared Joey Bonker to compete for and win a scholarship to Prairie Meadows Iowa Youth Days while in high school -- only 10 students in the state are asked to intern in this program each year. Her success coupled with her love of horses and thirst for further knowledge led her on to Ellsworth College for a degree in Equine Management. While at ECC, Joey excelled as both an English rider and trainer for the track, Hunter/Jumper, and Introductory Dressage.

After graduation, she worked as an assistant trainer for a successful cutting horse trainer. Joey has currently partnered with John Watlington as an assistant trainer, working toward becoming a full trainer in Western and English disciplines.

Joey has followed her love of barrel racing, to specialize in training barrel horses. In 2009, she will begin lightly campaigning Joe Mac Bugs, her 2004 AQHA gelding. Her young Warmblood mare Savannah is advancing as a solid Hunter/Jumper prospect.

Joey Bonker's training philosophy is based on the fact that every horse is different, and should be approached as a unique individual. Some may be easy to handle and train, others may be quite difficult. One may learn quickly, another may require much more time and patience. Almost every horse is trainable, and if given the chance will be a great horse for someone. However, training can only take a horse so far; the rest depends upon the horse's mental and physical ability.

Training methods and riding disciplines should suit the horse. Training by force does not suit the horse as it teaches a horse to avoid or resist -- potentially becoming a very dangerous horse to be around. The differences in each horse demand a trainer be well educated in multitudes of differing training styles and methods. Joey's style combines her experience and talent with methods and styles learned from professional trainers, educators, instructors, and other horsemen/women. The result is a willing and well trained horse who is a pleasure to handle and ride.