Horses/Expert Profile

Expertise

I have been training and rehabilitating horses, and training riders for combined training for over 40 years, in Virginia and California. This includes dressage, cross country obstacles and show jumping. Years ago I earned my colors with the Blue Ridge Hunt Club in VA. I currently train and teach at my ranch in Kennewick, WA. I can answer certain questions about starting young horses in English riding: dressage, jumping, cross country obstacles and basic equitation. I can help with rehabilitation of spoiled or difficult horses; however, many problems require sustained riding instruction/training and I cannot do this online. Some issues need to be observed to come to a correct diagnosis. If your problem is of this type, please find a qualified instructor/trainer. I cannot give riding lessons via email.

Experience in the area

Experience in the area: Over 40 years of English riding experience, including Fox Hunting in Virginia, training young horses for hunting and/or eventing. Coached Desiree Smith from her beginning at Training Level Combined tests through her competition at two Junior International competition Three Day Events. She rode my horse that I also started and trained her to ride. This combination competed in the World Championship Three Day in Lexington, KY in 1978. I trained another horse (TB) through 3rd Level Dressage and jumping. He eventually competed at Advanced level Three Day. I recently re-trained a mare that came to me as "unhandleable" after having had 5 owners in less than 18 months. She is now one of the sweetest tempered mares I have ever owned and given us a handsome, Premium colt by Ideal. I have reschooled several horses with difficulties ranging from running away to running backward, to not allowing a bridle to be put on, to kicking out at the farrier, being "too much on the muscle over jumps", etc

Organizations

National Society Daughters of the Revolution (DAR): USDF

Publications

Four novels (I am also a novelist)

Education/Credentials

Some college

Awards and Honors

Who's Who of American Women, Who'w Who in America, Past Board of Directors FDIC-NACM

What do you like about this subject?

Training a horse is a study in science, skill and art. Science is what you do, how and why you do it and when. Skill is your knowledge of the science and your way of applying it. Art is the finesse with which you apply the former and the result. No matter what equestrian discipline you prefer, the result must be beauty in motion: Art.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I am still working with young horses. I will ride as long as I am physically capable because I want to continue learning. And every day with every horse we ride,or when we teach, we learn something.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

It isn't necessary to be a competitor in order to be an excellent rider/trainer. One can always complete with one's self. One must study and ride and put into practice what one has learned.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

This is a discipline in which we often find "the blind leading the blind". Beware who you chose as a trainer or teacher. You must read theory and know theory; otherwise you will not know when your trainer is leading you astray with "snake oil training".