Equestrian Experience
As an up and coming young trainer, with 10 years of full-time professional horse training experience and over 25 years of experience riding, showing, and caring for horses, Bethany has a wealth of knowledge to draw upon as a horsewoman when training and teaching. Raised by a mother that runs her own riding school with a background in three day eventing, and a grandmother who has also taught riding, bred and trained horses, and shown extensively in dressage and three day eventing, Bethany was immersed in the horse world from day one.
Though born in San Diego, Bethany was raised in Northern Virginia - an area of the country steeped in equestrian tradition. With access to the show circuits of Upperville, Middleburg, and Warrenton, Bethany grew up showing on a very competitive hunter/jumper circuit, competing successfully at shows such as the AA rated Upperville Horse and Pony Show. She showed through the 3'6" divisions as a junior, with help from her mom and grandma, along with training from notable trainer Laurie Haynes and lessons at Blue Fox Farms in Chantilly, VA.
After years of experience in the hunter/jumper divisions, Bethany became interested in dressage as an adult. She pursued her new passion when she moved back to San Diego, training with FEI rider and trainer Suzan Strahan for a number of years. Bethany has now ridden on a weekly basis with Grand Prix rider and trainer Sandy Burns-Gardner since 2008, who's coaching has helped her move confidently up the levels to earn scores in the mid-sixties showing at Intermediare 1. While Bethany enjoys competing, her passion is in the daily training of the horse - bringing young horses along and training through the FEI levels.
In addition to dressage and hunter/jumper, Bethany enjoys starting young horses, and has plenty of experience starting youngsters through her own business, as well as holding the position of Young Horse Trainer at Savoir Faire Stables in San Marcos in 2008 and 2009. Bethany also employs extensive groundwork & horsemanship methods in the tradition of Tom and Bill Dorrance, Ray Hunt, and Buck Brannaman in large part from working with trainer Debbie Rocha.
Rounding out Bethany's pursuit of being an all around horsewoman, she trail rides all of her horses regularly, and has even trained for and assisted in endurance rides. Bethany brings experience and passion for horses and for the art and science of riding to her training and lessons. She believes that every rider, herself included, is a lifelong student of the horse. She invites you and your horse to come join her on this wonderful journey of learning!