il and Missy Bernhardt started The Cuyama Colt Company with one goal in mind, to train a whole horse. Combining an appreciation of the Vaquero tradition with practicality learned from actually cowboying horse back, the Cuyama Colt Company starts colts with a foundation that lends its self to any discipline. Whether it is a 2 year old headed for the cutting pen or a home raised colt that can look forward to years of carrots and baby sitting duties, a horse started with a solid foundation will always be a success.

Wil started his cowboy career at the age of 16 traveling throughout California dayworking as much as possible in an effort to avoid school. With time spent at local outfits and just enough knowledge to be a pain, Wil managed to spend a couple of years cowboying for outfits like the Tejon Ranch, Dave Woods cattle company, the Tollhouse Ranch, Cholame Ranch, and a cattle station in the Northern Territory of Australia. Through all of this Wil maintained that the horse was a tool that was used in the job and nothing more. It was not until a cowboy that Wil worked with asked the simple question, “Why did that horse do that?” that Wil realized that the answer to that question would change his views on horsemanship forever.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only provided a first rate education and a degree in Animal Science, it also introduced Wil and Missy. They were married soon after they graduated and Missy brought her animal Science degree and ten years as a veterinarian technician to the team that eventually became the Cuyama Colt Company.

Wil and Missy spent the first couple years of their marriage on cow outfits, one of which was lucky enough to neighbor a man named Bryan Neubert. Wil and Missy count their time spent with Bryan as a blessing and very instrumental in their decision to start riding horses for the public in the spring of 2007.

With one year under their belt as “horse trainers” and not as “cowboys” they have learned a lot and have been blessed with many satisfied clients and many wonderful opportunities. They hope to continue to be able to ride quality horses and to continue to learn, as should we all.