As far back as I can remember I have loved horses.
My first formal education with horses began at Red Raider Farm in Ohio with a Pony Club-like program. As a teenager, I rode at The Chagrin Valley Hunt Club as well as catch riding all the neighborhood horses I could get my hands on! At this time in my life my parents thought I’d “outgrow” horses, and although I didn’t have the opportunity to own my own horse, I gained an enormous education by riding so many different horses. This actually worked in my favor when riding on the Northwestern University Equestrian Team since the Intercollegiate format involves catch riding horses in competition.
After moving to San Francisco shortly after graduation from college, I soon realized that I was much happier working with horses than in Advertising and PR! I managed to get a job on a small Arabian Sport Horse breeding farm, Sierra Moun Arabians, starting young horses and some older broodmares. I also had the opportunity to ride and compete on an amazing stallion Starbounde+//. He was already showing PSG dressage and became my teacher in upper level dressage. There I also started, and fell in love with, my future eventing partner Starsearch SMA (aka Sparky), who I ended up owning.
My love of eventing blossomed during this time under the guidance of many talented people: Heidi Gretch-Riddle, Yves Sauvignon, Lorraine LaFramboise and Wayne Quarles to name a few. After the owners of Sierra Moun retired, I moved my training operation to Bright Future Farms, another Arabian Sport Horse breeding farm. There I started training young stock as well as working towards my Bronze and Silver Medal in Dressage on Starbounde+// and Eventing Sparky. During this time I also began my journey with the lovely stallion Ta’ez+// who I started and showed through 3rd level under the guidance of Creeky Routson USDF “S” judge and International FEI judge, author and classical horseman, Charles DeKunffy. Ta’ez+// and I were awarded the USDF Horse of the Year Award against all breeds for 1st Level Freestyle and competed at the California Dressage Society Regional Championships at 1st and 2nd level.
When my father became ill from cancer, I uprooted and moved across the country to be closer to my parents. I found myself in the lovely little town of Brooksville – a far cry from city life in San Francisco. My husband and I purchased “Sunset Valley Farm.” Out of respect for its previous owner, who loved it, we kept the name. I discovered what a vibrant Dressage and Eventing community Florida had and soon got to work building my training business. I’ve had the joy of working with many talented students and horses during my 16 years here as well as advancing my own education with many wonderful clinicians.