Mirka comes originally from the Czech Republic. She started riding when she was 12. She worked in different barns for free in exchange for any quality time with horses and riding opportunities she could get. First it was Thoroughbreds out of the race track and young Draft horses. She rode them bareback in halters in the nearby woods and fields.  

"I remember the first time I rode a horse. I was on a big 5 yr old palomino Draft gelding. My sister took me trail riding bareback and told me to hold on to his mane if I got in trouble. We were about 2 miles from the barn when he took off running back to the barn with me and I remembered what my sister had said and I hung on to his long mane." 

  Then she rode in a barn of about 25 Warmblood broodmares who were retired from jumping events. She helped to take care of them and to raise their foals.

  Right before she went to the University, in 1998, she met Honza Blaha (www.honzablaha.cz ) and rode with him for two years, learning Parelli Natural Horsemanship.

 "I remember taking a train or a crowded bus back home from Prague every single Friday just so I could get back home to the southern part of Czech to ride horses the whole weekend."

She continued her PNH studies in the USA. She audited and participated in clinics by Parelli Instructors and former dressage competitors David Lichman (www.davidlichman.com) and Karen Rohlf (www.dressagenaturally.net). She officially passed her PNH Levels 1&2 in 2004 with Buck, Jimmy Grantham's gelding. "Appreciations to Jimmy!" The following year she took a Course at the Parelli Ocala Center for her Level 3 studies.

In 2005 she met Donna Register and got interested in Horse Chiropractic. She took a chiropractic course with Dr. Kamen in Texas and assisted Donna for a year in her practices.

In 2006, thanks to her interest in reining, Mirka met her husband David Pitts, who expedited her learning of equine business, horse care, training and show savvys!!! Soon after, Mirka started showing and trained her first reining horse, PR Smokin Tom Cat . "Big thanks to Jimmy Grantham!!!" With Tom Cat she won the 2007 Buckskin World in Amateur Working Cowhorse, placed Reserve in the Open Working Cowhorse, Top Five in the Open Reining and Reserve in the Amateur Reining.

In the spring of 2007, Mirka was invited to ride with Clint Haverty (www.havertyranch.com), who has been inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame! "It was a huge opportunity of my life. It was a great learning experience and I cannot thank both Liz and Clint enough for their valuable time and sharing! I am still amazed at the quality of horses they have bred from their Top Stallions!"

In 2009 she had a great opportunity to ride with and learn from George and Lisa Aldridge and their trainer assistant Chase Button at Aldridge Farms in Webster, Florida. "I have learned so much to improve my horsemanship  in such a short period of time only because they were so willing to share their knowledge!"

In 2006 Mirka got a new reining prospect, 2 yr old buckskin roan mare, Bet On Magic, "Magie". " I am very excited about this quick footed sensitive herd-dominant mare. She has tons of talent and potential and I hope I will be able to bring her to the top."In the fall of 2008 Mirka and Magie placed 5th out of 22 at an NRHA show in Jacksonville, FL. In March 2009 Mirka officialy passed her Parelli Level 3 with Magie. In 2008, Mirka got a second horse, Alli, a formerly abused, very sensitive, introverted and explosive 5 yr old bay mare.

Mirka is continuing her Natural Horsemanship journey as she explores the unknown areas in Level 4!   

 "I am a lifetime learner who loves challenges to better myself."

Thanks to www.angryfilly.net,  S. Renee' Mayne, a local photographer, for great reining photos of Magie and Tom Cat on our website.

Thanks to Amy Boddie for photos from our clinic. You can find her great photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/amyboddie