The Sautter's first horse was a 5 year old American Miniature Horse  named Lucky, originally for Rhiannen who has long outgrown his small stature. As each of the Sautter girls outgrew Lucky, the next daughter would inherit him as their first horse. Lucky is now being passed down to their granddaughters Aly and Tatum.

The Sautters accumulated a few more horses as Mary became interested in riding and the girls needed bigger horses as they outgrew Lucky. They showed their horses as a family, with all the girls competing in respective divisions and classes for their age and ability levels. Mary, a top-notch horse-show mom, stayed ringside while Rhiannen, Tristan and Dani made their way around the show ring. In 2002, Rhiannen started showing on the POA circuit, competing in Western and English Pleasure and Equitation classes. In 2007, Mary started showing in Western Pleasure, obtained her Instructors certification from UW River Falls under Larry Kasten and Jack Brainerd, and also obtained an equine nutrition certification.

Fueled by the whole family's passion for horses, Mary started the idea of opening a stable and began plans for West Wind Stables in 2003. Lucky, now 15 years old, is the foundation of the lesson program and undeniable "mascot" of West Wind Stables.

In recent years, Rhiannen has been showing on the AQHA circuit with aspirations of being a serious competitor in the hunt seat division with her new American Quarter Horse gelding, Harmen. Mary's goals are more in the western divisions, and plans on showing her new 3 year old American Quarter Horse gelding, Gucci, in western pleasure on the AQHA circuit this summer. While Mary and Rhiannen are still chasing dreams in the show ring, Tristian and Dani are now the ones behind the scenes, standing ringside and ready to cheer when their numbers are called. Dan is the keystone of West Wind Stables, spending all summer making hay for our beloved equine friends and maintaining the farm.