Erin & Captain

At the age of five, Erin Bush moved with her family from Oklahoma City to a 20 acre farm in the rural town of Deer Creek. That same year, inspired by Disney's rendition of Justin Morgan Had a Horse, Erin's father purchased his first three Morgan horses. Shortly thereafter, Tricolor Morgans was born. Her family bred and showed Morgans for over 10 years.

Erin's love for horses started when she laid eyes on her first pony, Blue Boy, whom Santa left for her when she was six years old. Blue Boy was not the most pleasant ride, as he was famous for abruptly and frequently stopping to lay down and roll on top of his rider. In spite of this, her love for horses only grew. Erin began showing saddle seat in the Morgan horse show circuit at the age of nine, when she entered her first walk and trot class.



Even after Erin's parents faded out of the horse world, Erin rode on. Following her trainer, Joni Tuttle, Erin continued showing saddle seat, hunt seat pleasure, and western until she turned eighteen. With her childhood bedroom adorned with horse show ribbons, she headed off to college where she earned her BA in Special Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. In 2001, Erin moved to Los Angeles to be near her sister Cathie, and began teaching a class for students with severe disabilities and orchestrating the Best Buddies chapter at John Burroughs High School in Burbank.

For her 24th birthday, Erin's sister and brother-in-law took her to Sunset Ranch for their famous dinner ride. This ride rekindled old feelings and motivated Erin to start volunteering at Sunset Ranch on the weekends. One sunny afternoon Erin went out to catch horses, and a tall chestnut gelding raised his head as she approached. He looked at her with his dark gentle eyes and she fell in love. Six months later, Erin purchased that beautiful chestnut gelding. Captain and Erin have been inseparable ever since. Captain is now enjoying his retirement from being a rental horse. They can be seen cruising through Griffith Park greeting everyone along the way. Affectionately nicknamed "Gargantusaurus" by all the Dolls that love him, Captain certainly stands out in a crowd. Standing at 16.1 hands, his height and healthy appetite earn him the reputation for the ability to consume dinosaur portions of apples and carrots.

Erin lives with her husband Nick and her two dogs, Dodger and Ladybug.