11/01/2024
We're very excited to welcome Mary Jo Zanolli of Carabelle Equine to our team! She has availability on her schedule for Monday's and Saturday mornings for new clients.
Mary Jo Zanolli has over 30 years experience teaching riders of all ages and skill levels how to connect with and enjoy horses both in and out of the saddle. As her passion is dressage-she incorporates basic dressage principles into her instruction to help horse and rider develop balance, clear understanding of aids, and connection within their partnership.
While introducing new students to the sport and developing their skills in and out of the saddle to create well-rounded equestrians is her niche, she particularly loves working with riders on dressage basics. MJ also utilizes ground poles, cross rails, trails, and hill/field work regularly in both her own riding and teaching as she believes cross training has immense benefits for horse and rider. Her enthusiasm for teaching and the relationship she develops with her students helps set riders up for a lifetime of love and appreciation for horses.
MJ Learned to ride at a Massachusetts eventing barn, at which time she was also an active 4-H Club member and competitor. Besides the open show circuit, MJ grew up competing in youth dressage and eventually the IEA team in college. As a young professional, she began to take a more serious approach to dressage- becoming a working student for Jennifer Baumert for several years. More recently MJ has trained with Rochelle McPherson and Heather Sweeney , as well as spent two winters in Florida with her horses in an intensive training program with Marsha Hartford Sapp. MJ’s equine partners Ella and Rylee continue to be a constant source of inspiration to improve her own riding and understanding of horses.
MJ is also a carded 4H and Open Horse Show judge and enjoys judging open and schooling shows in the tri-state area.
