I started in this industry like so many others: with lead-line lessons at four years old, pony camps, and every known horse book. Much to the dismay of all of the people who told my parents “its just a phase”, I am still here all these years later. I attended Emory and Henry University and gradated summa cum laude, which might not mean anything in the horse world, but it does at least tell you I have always been a hardworking perfectionist. My real education started when, at the age of 19, I became a working student under FEI dressage rider and trainer Heidi Wilson Valk. Even though I had ridden my whole life, I had spent most of it as a hunter/equitation rider, so dressage was foreign to me. After working with Heidi, however, everything change. Through her I learned to understand the biomechanics of both the horse and rider and most importantly, I learned how to feel. I was a working student for her through college and after I graduated, I spent almost 5 more years with her as a full-time assistant trainer/assistant manager/young horse jockey.

In 2022, I relocated to Lexington, Kentucky where I now offer freelance training, riding and lessons. My specialty and passion is starting and developing young sport horses. I believe that the foundation that gets put on a young horse is so crucial to their future success, and yet so often overlooked. I start young horses from the ground up, and love every moment. From the first time with a saddle, to the first time with a rider, to the first show over fences, I am there for every moment.

If you’re still on this page you probably want to know more about me, so first things first. Working with and developing young horses is my passion. Giving every horse I can a good start in life, one that is correct, quiet, and positive, is what I strive to do. Second, I am always learning. I am always striving to ride better, understand more, and continually improve. The fundamentals for everything I do are based in dressage, mostly from the German school of thought. But I am too much of an adrenaline junkie to stick to playing in the sandbox. I love working over fences (the kinds that fall down and the one’s that don’t), I am a lifelong fox hunter, and I have even done some cattle work. Third, I am deeply interested in the economics, efficiency, business practices, and labor issues of the equine industry. Its nerdy of me, I know, but I can’t help but notice how much the business of horses effects the riding of horses, the care of horses, and so on and so forth. Yet I see so little written about it, so that is the overwhelming reason I started a blog. Want an intro into my thoughts on the subject? Take a look at Narrowing Down the Issue. Interested in my philosophy on starting young horses? Check out Tools of the Trade. Or maybe you’re curious about what it is like to be a working student for an FEI trainer? A Day in the Life will give you a firsthand account.