hannon Cole has had the privilege of being with horses for her entire life. The affinity that she has established with these magnificent creatures has given her a remarkable sense of responsibility, spirituality, and a greater overall understanding of people and animals. They are truly her passion!

he grew up on a cattle ranch in southwest North Dakota. Her father also had 120 Thoroughbreds that were bred and raced throughout the US and Canada. It was on that farm that she began taking riding lessons at the age of 3 from her older sister, Dr. Joy Cole, DVM, a former competitor with the Equestrian Team of the University of Tennessee, and who is currently a veterinarian in Virginia. Shannon competed in rodeos and playdays in North Dakota ,and was active in 4-H until she moved to Kentucky at the age of 10 where she began English riding lessons and competed with hunter-jumpers (she trained her own horse to jump) and equitation under saddle well through her teenage years. She lived and competed in Florida for a year before moving to Texas in 1990 at the age of 15, where she has remained ever since.

hile in attendance at Texas Women's University majoring in psychology, she worked part time as a wrangler and riding instructor in McKinney for Jolabec Stables. While in this position, she was approached by a carriage driver and given the reins where she promptly fell in love with driving horses. She drove for Dallas Surrey Service for 3 1/2 years until she purchased her own horses and carriage for what has become Happy Trails Carriage Service (formerly Happy Trails Horse-Drawn Carriage Service) on February 5th, 2001. As of January, 2006, she has relocated her service to historic downtown McKinney, Texas.

s. Cole has had over 10 years' worth of continuous driving experience. She is actively sought throughout the Metroplex for services including:

... and just about anything else one can imagine, within the realm of safety to her horses and passengers of course.

uttermilk 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 are full siblings and registered Missouri Foxtrotters, both born 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 Punjabi ceremonies. Shannon had been driving these two downtown from July 3rd, 2000 while employed by Dallas Surrey Service until she relocated to McKinney, and today continues to operate in McKinney and other areas of North Texas.

moke was purchased on September 6th, 2002 and was personally trained by Shannon to 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.

ewel was purchased on December 19th, 2006 and 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 also been used dressed as a unicorn for parties and special events for photo options.

On March 31,2007, she purchased Mistique, meaning "mystery", because she is a rescue horse with no papers, she is a Foxtrotter and she matches the other four perfectly. Shannon drove to Missouri to get her, nursed her to health, taught her to drive and now is able to also rotate her in and out of the four in hand and two pairs that she operates on her two carriages in McKinney. She has been a lovely addition to the Happy Trails family! It is amazing what a little time and love can do! On December 26,2007 Shannon again drove to Missouri to purchase Silver, her sixth matching white Foxtrotter! 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 six 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 6 acres of Texas countryside she shares with them.

All five registered horses are descendents of grand champion Zane Grey. CLICK HERE to view their pedigree and lineage information.

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(214) 662-6705
happycarriage@peoplepc.com