Mark eventually took some outside horses at Branquinho's and also gave lessons.  He was especially gifted with children.  Many a local youngster credits his guidance for the development of his or her skills.  

A client talked Mark into taking a lesson with Ron Ralls, and the rest is history: Ron offered him a job on the spot and he ended up working there for five years, training and showing Reining Cow horses. When Ralls moved to Texas, Mark decided to start his own facility on the land that had been in his family for almost 100 years.  After two years on the family ranch he was able to purchase his own ranch and move his facility to Paso Robles. 

Mark has been very fortunate to achieved great success in the Cow Horse world on many great Quarter Horses.  In 2003 he and his father-in-law, Chuck Doss, partnered on a colt purchased at the 2002 Snaffle Bit Futurity Sale. A dramatic fence run on that SBF sale colt, Playdox Taco Peppa, helped Mark pass the pack to become the Cow Horse Classic Limited Open Futurity Champion-his first win at a major show. 

Mark has gone on to also be a three time Fiesta Stock Horse Champion, two time Ranchero Vistadore One Man One Horse Champion, three time Magnificent 7 Steer Stopping Champion, two time Worlds Greatest Horseman Steer Stopping Champion, and has won the prestigious Irving D. Osburn All Around Cowboy Award, a record, four times.