I believe that the tools of classical dressage provide a language to communicate with horses. When horse and rider are both fluent and connected, an invisible dialog produces a brilliant, harmonious dance. There is nothing more magical than feeling a horse moving with ‘throughness.’ The goal for my teaching is to help students develop the feel to achieve this connection. The purpose of training dr
essage is not to simply look pretty and do tricks, but to communicate effectively. The truly effective rider can train a horse to do anything. My belief is that riders must relate to each horse independently and adapt techniques to be in sync with the horse's personality and behaviors. I strive to enhance a horse’s natural brilliance found in his free movement. I encourage boldness, accuracy, and sensitivity and also a sense of humor- the understanding that both parties make mistakes and the baseline purpose is to enjoy this fabulous dance. BIOGRAPHY: Debbie McDonald got me into dressage. I started out jumping and began teaching neighborhood kids when I was 12 and taking on resale projects. My mom had been scared to death of horses, but pretty quickly realized that I was not going to outgrow the horse craze and allowed me to adopt some mistreated ponies to train and sell. I was never too happy with the instruction that was available to me, so I by and large trained myself. When I was 15 I took an eventing clinic in which the dressage phase taught by Debbie McDonald. She told me that I had natural talent for dressage and invited me to come train at her private barn. I sucked up every word Debbie spoke for 3 years. I respect not only her dynamic, sensitive teaching, but also her down to earth personality. I always have had many interests and passions, but horses have always drawn me back. The longest I went without riding was 3 months in college, I met a girl in a coffee shop on campus in breeches, followed her to her barn and accepted a job schooling jumpers. I got degrees in environmental studies and communication. I have worked in environmental policy and for the National Park Service as an interpretive ranger giving talks and leading off trail hikes in Alaska. On weekends and evenings now, I like to write for magazines, backcountry ski, white water raft and hike and bike all over the mountains.My training business was based in Oregon for the last 5 years and I have recently relocated to Montana for better access to the mountains. I teach, compete, give clinics and judge dressage. One of my core principles continues to be, not to take it too seriously. To be an Olympian takes pure dedication to yourself and your horse- my goals have always been to enjoy the horses and let them be horses, and to share and spread the joy of riding to others.
