Completion of Extended Level 1 in Interactive Horsemanship from E Komo Mai Sport Horses. (www.ekomomaisporthorses.com)

University of Montana Graduate- Bachelor of the Arts, Biology Minor, Completion of University courses in Natural Horsemanship, 3-Day Eventing, and riding/horse-care.

Despite being obsessed with horses all my life, it wasn't until 2005 that I took my first riding lesson. Soon after, I joined the Equestrian team competing in both Western and English. I began eventing in 2006, along with taking the first of numerous courses in Natural Horsemanship. In 2007, I began my first, full time live-in internship spending 7 months at E Komo Mai Sport Horses in Hawai'i under the instructions of Ms. Nancy Steinecke, USEF (r) Judge in Eventing, Dressage, and TD. After which, I spent 5 months as a full time volunteer working with New Zealand's "horse whisperer" Andrew Froggart doing everything from trailer loading to bagging out. I spent a year with horses in Egypt, working six months at a top arabian breeding farm and six months doing desert trail rides. From there, I went to Australia and trained/competed endurance horses for 4 months.

I grew up in a small fishing village in Naknek, Alaska, provoking a facination for nature and the outdoors. I graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula with a Bachelor of the Arts and minor in Biology. Outdoor recreation and survival skills come natural to me, including back country backpacking, winter camping, kayak/canoing and 4-wheeling. Since college, I have worked as an intern student/volunteer/employee on farms in Hawai'i, New Zealand, Egypt and Australia.

I've competed in English and Eventing, and have a solid understanding of the beginning levels of Dressage. I love doing long rides in the open space, however, and prefer a good gallop to any successes in the show ring. I've ridden young, untrained horses to get the miles they need, as well as helped with their schooling. I've also been responsible for exercising hot blooded stallions and taking novice riders through the Sahara desert in Egypt. I still have a lot to learn, however, and am keen.

The 32nd Annual Horse Trials Event March of 2008, at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy was my first eventing competition and I came in 2nd place riding Sugar and Spice against four other riders. Prior to that, I took my first dressage test in October of 2007 on a green horse shown only twice before. I became a member of the USEF in 2005 and started competing as a novice on the University of Montana's Equestrian Team in both Western and English.