I began riding as a toddler growing up on my parents farm in Kansas.
(I’m the one pictured on the right.) I participated in Western riding events until beginning my education at Colorado State University. While earning my B.S. in Equine Science in preparation for veterinary medicine, I also began private dressage training and teacher training courses at the university. After finishing my education, I moved to Louisiana in 1993 and began working as an independent trainer and instructor full time. For a few years I had my own business working with a menagerie of horses. I trained almost anything that came my way, from arabians and thoroughbreds to race horses and saddlebreds! I got an occasional warmblood in training and that was a real treat.
My own horse at that time, Gershwin, a very big Westfalen gelding generously put up with my many experiments, failures and and periodic successes. I participated 
in various clinics and symposiums whenever possible but like so many riders didn’t have access to regular help. I learned my way to FEI with Gershwin mostly independently, learning from trial and error. We managed our way to Intermediare II and then had to stop because of a ringbone problem.
I have competed in recognized dressage since 1994 on too many horses to mention, winning many Regional and National titles at all levels. One career 
changing horse for me was the Danish Warmblood stallion Rambo DVE 373. I began training him when he was 12 years old and retired him at 18. He was trained to Grand Prix by Danish trainer Leif Sørensen. He was my first serious Grand Prix horse and I learned an indescribable amount from working with him. He was owned by Oak Hill Ranch in Louisiana who employed me as head trainer for 7 years. Rambo and I showed at CDI level Grand Prix from the competitive circuit in south Florida to the prestigious Dressage at Devon where we were placed as high as 3rd. The scores I earned riding Rambo earned me a place on the USEF Long List which made it possible for me to be invited to the USEF team training sessions. That was a significant turning point for me.
The second horse that has made a huge impact in my career was Arabella, a daughter of Rambo. I trained her from her first day under saddle all the way to the Grand Prix, getting 
as far as reserve for the World Equestrian Games 2006. That opportunity gave Arabella and me direction and recognition that led to even more success. We had done well in competitions up to that point with wins in regional championships at age 4 and 5. At 6 years old, she was the winner of the FEI 6 year old young horse championships nearly qualifying for the World Championships in Verden, Germany. At 8 years old she and I qualified for and competed in the USEF Intermediare championships in San Juan Capistrano, CA and finished in 5th place. We started the Grand Prix together when she was 8 years old and by 10 had qualified for the USEF Grand Prix Championships at Gladstone. There we competed and came in fifth overall. Resulting from that placing, we were invited to accompany the U.S. team to Germany training together leading up to the WEG in Aachen. I had along with me my very young horse Paragon and an exciting new comer to FEI, Otto.
The third and most significant
horse for me was Otto. He is also by Rambo and I trained and competed him from age 8 to 13. We developed into an extremely competitive duo and gained ground the International Grand Prix ring. We competed throughout Europe and Scandinavia for over 2 years including 3rd place in the Grand Prix special at the Mondorf CDIO, Luxembourg, amidst Germany’s top riders. You can see video archives of Otto and me by clicking here.
I have been a guest judge and test rider at the Pavo Cup in Holland (their National Championship for 4 
and 5 year old horses) and for the Danish National Championships for 5 year olds. I keep a busy schedule of lessons, clinics and symposiums that I give in Denmark, England and throughout the U.S. My training system is based on two main things, the rider’s biomechanics and body awareness at ALL levels, and my training system which I have developed from years of practice.
