Philosophy

I believe in strong foundations, in horses and riders. Why, you might ask? Because I have lived through the consequences of riding without one. For the longest time, I thought that a “foundation” in riding meant that you could walk-trot-canter, jump around a course, or do a dressage test, or gallop across a field, and essentially not fall off. That assumption went out the window at 19 when I went to work for FEI rider Heidi Valk. I realized that a good foundation for any horse or rider has far less to do with the ability to execute a particular movement, and more to do with the quality with which that movement is done. That quality comes from being able to ride a horse so that it carries itself straight, bends correctly, and is both relaxed and responsive. That is was good foundation on a horse looks like, and that is what a rider with a solid foundation should be able to accomplish. Only once that foundation is in place can the rest of “higher level” riding and training take place. That is the philosophy that shapes my riding, training, and teaching on a daily basis.