Experience

At the age of 12 years old, I started riding western and switched to english. Under the instruction of Janet Keesling, Cheryl Woosly, and Carolyn Sheperd in Indiana, I learned western, hunter on the flat, and saddle seat. Once I moved to Florida in 2010, I started to ride hunter/jumpers. Knowledge of multiple disciplines is beneficial when teaching and riding.

Riding & Instructing Experience

I am an intermediate rider that worked successfully with several green and problem horses. I have shown each of the disciplines that I ride. I have shown on the Morgan Horse A rated shows for 3 years in the hunter under saddle division. I showed at UPHA Chapter 11 Academy shows for 8 years. Since moving to Florida and attending college, I showed at various different local shows in Missouri and Florida.

I taught all the disciplines that I have rode. I have experiences in teaching beginners to intermediate riders. I love working with kids that have the passion to learn. I believe that students should learn all about the horse in and out of the saddle. Bonding with the horses that you ride, even if it's a lesson horse, improves the experience.

Summer Camp Experience

My experience includes helping run several summer camps for beginners to show riders. I taught at a YMCA equine camp. Creating different activities for the students to learn is a fulfilling experience. I enjoyed the opportunity to witness the students integrating their learned skills into their riding and preparing the horses. Knowing the horse's equipment, anatomy, and colors allowed the students to understand the correct interaction around horses. Summer camps encourage students to learn more than they can during a lesson. Managing summer camps can be exhausting, but it's well worth the smiles on the student's faces.

Other Experience

I have worked with both a saddle seat farrier and a western farrier. I pulled shoes and began learning to trim feet. The farriers have given me insight on how the feet affect the whole body.

I have also managed a string of 8 horses. Managing these horses included giving oral medicine, doing body clip, treating minor injuries, and creating a exercising schedule for each horse. Taking care of a horse that was colicing was another one of my responsibility. The horse's exercise schedule included lunging, long-lining, and round pen work.