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children's birthday theme parties
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Traditional Indian matrimonial ceremonies
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romantic cruises through downtown
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television, commercials and film productions
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trimming and shoeing horses
... and just about anything else one can imagine, within the realm of safety to her horses and passengers of course.
The Business Partners AKA The Horses ( all the horses are rescues)
It is Shannon's passion to rescue and place horses in their forever homes. All of her fur "children" have been through some form of abuse, neglect or starvation. Healing these beautiful animals, feeding them several times a day and giving them a job has inspired and fulfilled her life in so many ways. It is an honor to be able to drive a horse that has been abused. It shows the ultimate in trust and just how magical the power of love really is. The first seven horses are Missouri Foxtrotters. To read about this amazing breed click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Fox_Trotter#The_Missouri_Fox_Trotter_today
Buttermilk and Trigger, the original pair who the company was named for, were purchased on December 30th,2000 from the late Charles Smith, who owned Dallas Surrey Service and was the father of the carriage industry in Dallas. They were rescued by the sheriff in Pasadena, TX from severe starvation and cruel beatings. Shannon rehabbed them while they were at Dallas Surrey and with the help of Charles, trained them to drive. She later trained them to drive sinlge as well. Being resecue horses, they had many issues that with time and love have been overcome. Shannon feels they have healed her more than she has healed them. Buttermilk and Trigger are full siblings and registered Missouri Foxtrotters, both born in March, a year apart from one another. They are both incredibly intelligent (they even know the traffic lights and routes!) and great with children. Buttermilk is also used for Baraat ceremonies in Indian weddings and in August of 2008 rode CEO Dave Dewalt of Mcafee Virus Scans into the ballroom of the Mariott at Legacy in Plano. Shannon has been driving these two downtown from July 3rd, 2000 while employed by Dallas Surrey Service until she relocated to McKinney, and today continues to drive them while she operates in McKinney and other areas of North Texas.
moke was purchased on September 6th, 2002 and was abandoned and strarved by his previous owners. It took a year for him to grow out new hooves and get healthy before he was trained by Shannon to ride and drive so he could be a backup or replacement for either Buttermilk or Trigger in the pair. Today he is also used as a riding horse for special events. He was used in the DVD video for the rock band "Journey", where Jonathan Cain rode him. He has also been ridden into the ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Colinas for a national convention. He is most likely to be seen in a pair with his new partner Silver. In his off time he is ridden in endurance rides with friends by Shannon.
ewel was purchased on December 19th, 2006 and was abandoned and starved by her previous owners as well. She was trained by Shannon 
to ensure adequate rotation among the other three horses, and to complete the four-in-hand team for special events where four white horses are needed. She has been used as a riding horse in weddings, and in kids parties. She does Indian weddings and she has also been dressed as a unicorn for parties and special events for photo options. She is truly a stunning mare! 
he drove to Missouri on December 26,2007 to purchase Silver, her fifth matching white Foxtrotter, and Smoke's look alike! His owner was in a motorcycle accident and he was left at a friend's place to be sold where he was neglected and living in a stall three feet deep of manure. Shannon feel in love and loaded him to head home to Texas! His registered name is Missy's Silver Gem. He is a sweet,laid back horse with a mane as long as your arm. As of May 1,2008, he has completed his training with Shannon and Smoke, and gave his first ride to a couple celebrating their anniversary in downtown McKinney. 
Shannon rotates her five horses, her "kids", now to ensure that each horse has adequate "days off" to relax and just enjoy the freedom to run and frolic in the 13 acres of Texas countryside she shares with them. She often stays outside for hours just watching them graze, play and sleep in the sun or shade on their days off. CLICK HERE to view their pedigree and lineage information.
Shannon drove up to Missouri to rescue another matching white pair of Missouri Foxtrotters who are also brother and sister on November 23,,2008. Their owner had cancer and could no longer take care of them. Isis and Camelot are currently in training, and will be coming to the streets of McKinney very soon... They are also related to the other five and their pedigrees will be posted in the near future...All seven registered horses are descendents of grand champion Zane Grey. 
Prince Casper, who was also rescued due to severe beatings and cowboying was brought home on November,2008. He is a black Shire and Quarter horse cross who is 7 years old and has been trained to drive in a pair with his girlfriend Jewel by Shannon. He is legally blind, totally blind in his left eye and can see light and dark blur from his right eye, but that does not stop him from having a job and purpose. The black and white pair are known as a checker board pair.
The newest addition to the Happy Trails Family is Veresk. He was abandoned by the Russian Circus Artania that came to Dallas in the spring of 2009. Veresk is an Orlov Trotter and he is currently getting trained to drive in traffic by Shannon. She even got his costumes from the show at Southfork Ranch. He will be coming to the streets of McKinney very soon. To read about this truly unique breed click on the link: http://www.horses.ru/orlov_trotter.htm .
Today all nine horses are healthy and eating as much hay and grass as they possibly can. They are clean, unless they roll in the mud of course, and spend their off time as horses were meant to be...playing and running in the fields.
