The following is, in brief, a view of my background, which does not begin to include the lessons I have learned from each and every horse, horseman and the countless hours from my first ride and one of my earliest memories to the present time, a span of over 35 years.

I grew up riding many different horses, galloping on the beach and trails in New England, bareback, English or Western, as well as learning ground handling skills. Years later, since my husband and I began raising and starting our own colts, I began to seek more knowledge on how to best develop these young horses.

The journey began in 1994 while watching John Lyons work a horse in the round pen. We then moved to Texas and attended a Craig Cameron horsemanship clinic. I continued my studies with Craig over the course of the next year and a half which included completing a colt-starting apprenticeship with him. 

I later received The Parelli Natural Horsemanship Program, Levels 1, 2, & 3, and saw that as a new challenge for myself. I followed that path for the next 2 years from 2000 to 2002 which included riding with Pat Parelli for a level 3 course in Colorado for 3 weeks as well as a week long cow working clinic with both Pat Parelli and Leon Harrel in Texas.

I have also worked as a wrangler at a prominent guest ranch in Texas, was the member of a precision drill team, was the trainer at a Morgan Horse breeding farm for nearly 2 years after having moved to East Tennessee in 2004. This is in addition to my work as clinician, trainer, and instructor since 1999.

It was in April of 2007 that I had an opportunity to ride with Leslie Desmond at the Ohio Equine Affair. I had received the book "True Horsemanship Through Feel" which she co-wrote with Bill Dorrance, many years prior to this time so I was familiar with her name and the work of Bill Dorrance. This began my journey with Leslie. I have had several opportunities to study directly with her. Since meeting with Leslie and watching her work through feel and release I have again taken a fresh approach to my horsemanship methods and have seen first hand the positive results in both horses and humans. A feel based approach has truly enhanced everything I have to offer to the horse.