Organized and eager to lead with proven track record of success in all areas of equine industry. Skilled in leading and growing organizations, particularly in team building and collaboration. Strong background in strategic planning, financial management and project development. Skilled in identifying opportunities and implementing practical business strategies with a commitment to excellence.
Work History
Self Employed
Clinician at various facilities throughout Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida
Consultant and agent for hunters, jumpers, ponies and equitation horses for sale or lease
Horse show management, ingate, course design and judging
Freelance rider and trainer.
Program Director - Head Trainer
Chastain Horse Park
Atlanta, Georgia
As lead professional I maintained the existing clientele as well as developed new business
Created the billing and rate sheets for the show and boarder programs
Imported horses for clients, purchased, leased and sold horses for clients
Organized all horse show travel and entries
Daily supervised an instructional staff of 5
Hired and trained instructional staff as well as evaluated performance of existing staff and, when necessary, dismissed staff members
Managed and created a public lesson program that focused on rider safety, utilizing a levels of horsemanship rider placement and achievement system
Created and marketed a successful summer camp program
Hosted in-house schooling shows for academy riders and created an inclusive horse show for therapeutic and academy 2 riders
Purchased and evaluated horses for both the therapeutic and academy programs
Developed a safety assessment sheet for horses used in the therapeutic program
Hired barn managers, barn staff, worked with management on barn employee training
Worked directly with management to improve the footing, hay and grain quality, and veterinary care at the facility
Sourced farriers as well as veterinarians
Qualified riders for pony finals 2014 -2018, Qualified USEF medal finals, Qualified Jr/AO jumper team Zone 4, Qualified USET finals, Qualified USEF 3'3 medal finals, Zone 4 Reserve Champion Junior Hunter 3'3.
Head Trainer/ International Riding Academy
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Developed an intensive riding program targeting high school aged students wishing to attend school in the United States
Tailored after the golf and tennis academies located on Hilton Head Island, the International Riding Academy was an intensive riding program every day after school, specializing in jumpers and equitation
Recruited riders from South America, Europe and within the United States
Implemented a video review and written evaluation for each rider, summarizing skills and areas that needed development
Selected horses for use in the program, as well as horses for the intensive summer camps, and trail ride businesses
Hired instructional staff as well as staff for the trail rides
Oversaw the care of approximately 15 show horses and 50 trail horses, as well as petting zoo animals
Qualified pony finals 2011-2012, Qualified USEF medal finals, Southeast Medal finals top 4, PSJ Pony medal finals winner, SCHJA Governors cup.
Director of English Riding/The University of Findlay
Findlay, Ohio
Supervised and directed a four-year degree program offered in English riding
Job duties included recruitment of students, retention of students, and job placements after graduation
Wrote syllabi as well as created testing procedures
Implemented a work study and job placement program
Created an alumni mini prix event for program graduates
Daily oversight and management of the care and maintenance of the horses as well as input into the facility upgrades
Managed instructional staff of approximately eight full and part-time employees
Hired adjunct professors as well as clinicians
Oversight of approximately 125 students and 140 horses
Developed relationships with various hunter jumper barns to obtain donation horses, as well as purchased and developed green horses that were used for the equine program or sold
Taught approximately fifty students daily and held IHSA three evenings per week practices
Traveled to competitions for IHSA as well as local and 'AA' shows
Selected riders for varsity and Jv
Programs
Head coach for the IHSA team
Zone 6 Champions 2007 - 2009 - Reserve Champions 2006, Zone 6 Region 3 champions 2006 - 2009, Undefeated in 2006 - 2008, Individual championships IHSA Nationals; Open Flat, Intermediate Flat, Intermediate Fences, ADV WTC, Novice Fences, Novice Flat, 3rd Place Overall Cacchione Cup 2008, Numerous hunter and jumper Championships were won at AA shows by UF riders and UF horses, LEC
Prix De Ville teams in 2006, 2007, and 2008 consistently placed in both high and low teams.
Owner Trainer Rider/Marley Sales
Coto De Caza, California / Co. Galway Ireland
Sourced and imported sales horses for hunter and jumper clients
Coordinated international vetting, shipping and purchase of horses
Coached riders at A and local shows
Qualified riders for pony finals, Onondarka Medal Finals, USEF and USET medal finals
Competed sales horses in local and A shows
Judged locally
While in Ireland started one of the earliest online horse marketing websites, Irish Horses Direct, managed a small sales facility, competed green horses.
Assistant Trainer/ Lochmoor Stables
Maineville, Ohio
Daily barn chores taught both boarder and academy riding programs
Took clients to local shows
Managed in house show series
Monthly billing and payroll duties
Worked with veterinarian and farrier scheduling and treatment plans
Drive truck and trailer, operate tractor, and skid steer.
Education
Associate of Arts - Equestrian Studies
The University of Findlay
Findlay, OH
05.2009
Skills
Organizational skills
Excellent communicator
Friendly, Positive Attitude
Revenue Generation
Industry Networking
Staff Management
Team Collaboration
Mentoring and training
Client Relationships
Partnership Development
Concept Development
Accomplishments
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
HORSE SHOW MANAGEMENT
1992-1998
Hosted between 6 – 8 OHJA/KHJA shows per year at Lochmoor stables, Lebanon Ohio
2005-2011
Hosted IHSA horse at University of Findlay
Provided Co – hosting opportunities for other colleges at UF facility
Held Region and Zone finals for both IHSA and IEA
Created and developed the University of Findlay Alumni Prix into a two-day event featuring UF alums, as well as current students and invited other colleges to participate. This event began as a small in-house event and developed into an event used to tie in Parents Weekend and had approximately 500- 750 attendees. We were heavily involved in community outreach and had the local domestic violence shelter residents as our VIP guests. All of the catering was provided by local restaurants, and a variety of interactive activities for the community.
2011-2013
Hosted clinics and horse shows at Lawton Stables, Sea Pines SC (local/IEA)
2013-2018
Hosted IEA shows as well as clinics at Chastain Horse Park
2020-2021
AHJA/GHJA horse show manager Auburn Al
Relatedinformation
2006 - 2008 Regional president of IHSA Zone 6 region 3
2005 - present stewarding experience, local shows and IEA/IHSA
2006 - 2010 Created and hosted various events including Alumni Prix
Additional Information
I've worked on various horse show management teams, and I have experience managing customer expectations, logistics, scheduling, course design, and judging. I'm also skilled at marketing, social media management, and developing key sponsorships for events. I'm passionate about horse show and enjoy working in a collaborative environment.
Timeline
Self Employed
Program Director - Head Trainer
Chastain Horse Park
Head Trainer/ International Riding Academy
Director of English Riding/The University of Findlay