Background

History

I grew up in Vermont and learned to ride the way many passionate horse lovers do—organically, intuitively, and a bit clumsily—on my first horse, an 18-year-old Egyptian Arabian who changed my life. He sparked my lifelong devotion to horses (and Arabians) and taught me early the value of correct equine neural pathways, emotional softness, and the deep responsibility we carry as riders and caregivers. Caring for horses year-round showed me how much they become a true part of the family. When he passed at 23, another Egyptian Arabian named Kanz entered my life and pushed me to dig deeper into the “why” behind horse behavior and connection.

My formal education began when I moved to West Virginia to attend Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center at 19. I brought Kanz and Magick with me to complete a two-year program focused on educated riding, horse health, breeding, farrier work, instruction, and training. After earning my Riding Master VI and Training Certification, I continued my education at Ohio State University, expanding my knowledge of horse health, nutrition, and progressive training. After college, I opened my first boarding and training facility and volunteered in Equine-Assisted Therapy—an experience that forever shaped how I view the magic of horses and the emotional depth of their partnerships with humans.

Later, I worked at a large training and sales facility, where I learned how to connect quickly with horses, retrain them thoughtfully, and match them to ideal homes. I gained invaluable experience managing the care of 180 horses, doing wrangler work for a film, judging trail competitions, and teaching weekly multi-day clinics for riders from across the U.S. and Canada. In 2019, I moved to Colorado, where my husband and I now live on our off-grid ranch in Moffat.

My training philosophy is a blend of everything the horses and my mentors have taught me. I believe horses learn and retain information based on the clarity and kindness with which it is given, and that every interaction is an opportunity to either train or un-train. Equine psychology lies at the center of my work. A well-trained horse who trusts its rider will do everything possible to keep them safe—and that level of partnership is what I strive to create in every horse-and-human relationship. A rider’s self-awareness plays a huge role in this process, so my coaching makes space for the human to grow too—messy, wonderful, authentic humanity included.


The practice of alchemy: To change something, or unify two separate entities towards a different end goal. Alchemic Horsemanship is designed to bring your equine relationship to be in alignment with your goals. If you’re ready to build a deeper, more confident partnership with your horse—or begin your riding journey with clear, mindful guidance—I’d love to work with you.