Background
I have been training horses and teaching lessons for nearly two decades. At age nine, I began showing in Hunter Equitation classes and over the next ten years, I continued to show horses throughout the Midwest and Southern United States in eventing, hunter/jumpers, western pleasure, dressage, and several other disciplines. My equestrian background is truly diverse and my experiences range from training racehorses at Beulah Park to rescuing and rehabilitating horses and other animals through the Humane Society of the United States.
Throughout my undergraduate and graduate education at the Ohio State University, I continue to keep horses a central part of my life. As the equestrian camp director at YMCA Willson Outdoor Center in Bellefontaine, Ohio, I was responsible for the care and training of the camp’s fifty horses and for teaching beginner through advanced lessons in English and Western pleasure, dressage and jumping. Now, I have a bachelors and masters degree from Ohio State and I have decided to dedicate myself full-time to teaching and training horses and providing support and education to riders. My goal for myself is to learn something new every day and I am always working to expand my knowledge to better serve my equine and human clients.
Teaching Philosophy
I specialize in beginner through advanced English riding, beginner Western riding, jumping, combined training, and in working with fearful riders, riders with various physical and emotional limitations, and riders who want to deepen their communication with their equine partners. I believe that riding should be safe, fun, and emotionally rewarding for both the horse and rider no matter the rider’s age, ability, or skill level.
Training Philosophy
I have studied the writing and teaching of the world’s top trainers in many disciplines. My influences and mentors include James Herriot, John Lyons, Sally Swift, George Morris, the United States Pony Club, Monty Roberts, Cesar Milan, as well as numerous trainers and teachers throughout the Midwest United States.
I use assertive, non-violent communication to work with horses at all stages of training and I specialize in working with rescue horses, horses with trauma backgrounds, and young, fearful horses. From PMU horses to off-the-track thoroughbreds, I employ a systematic, repetition-based approach to re-educate horses who have learned to be fearful of humans and other stimuli. My goal is to help every horse that comes into my care to become emotionally balanced, trusting, happy, and safe to continue a lifetime relationship with his human companions.
On the Love of Horses
I believe that most of us began riding because we love horses and want to create effective partnerships and harmonious relationships with our equine friends. I want every one of my human and equine students to experience the joy of the union that can happen with effective, non-violent communication between our two species. Whether you are emotionally scarred from a bad riding accident, out of shape, or feel silly getting back on a horse after so many years, I will work my hardest to bring you back to the reason you began riding in the first place – your love of horses. I believe that the desire to deepen our relationships with these amazing animals is what unites us all.