I grew up volunteering and working for the Tempel Lipizzans, where my family kept our Haflinger pony. In high school, I earned my USDF Bronze and Silver Medals, with the generous guidance of Andi Patzwald, who taught me about precision, commitment, and how to get a feel for many different horses.

Since then, I have worked for various dressage, eventing, lesson, and therapeutic riding programs in the US and Ireland.

I am always learning and always looking for more ethical ways to care for and work with horses. My interest in using training to help heal horses physically led me to studying classical dressage.

After reading Reaching the Animal Mind, by Karen Pryor and learning about Dr. Susan Friedman’s Humane Hierarchy of procedures for behavior change in animals (Microsoft Word - ABMA Why Animals Need Trainers-Least Intrusive Principle[1].docx) I knew I had to learn to use positive reinforcement in my work with horses. I adopted my horse Sage as a twenty-year-old horse from a rescue with minimal handling. Sage has been my patient teacher as I have learned to shape behavior with positive reinforcement and delved into the classical work both on the ground and riding.

I am dedicated to continuing my understanding of horsemanship, lightness, balance, and feel, as well as my understanding of teaching, behavior, and positive reinforcement training. I believe every individual horse, human, and environment are different and require a tailored approach.

I believe if I can look back on today tomorrow and see things I would do differently, then that is to be celebrated. It is a sign that I am learning!