Kristen focuses on developing confident, competent riders who build their skills from the ground up. She believes that solid basics build the best foundation-----stressing safety, good technique, and connection between horse and rider. Growing up with horses from a young age, Kristen has been a lifelong rider and competitor, gaining experience in multiple riding disciplines until ultimately focusing on dressage. Since 2010, she has coached riders of various ages and skill levels to be both recreational and competitive riders. A United States Pony Club member, she earned both her C-3 National Certification in Dressage and H-B National Certification in Horse Management. Her close ties to Pony Club allowed her to experience many facets of horse ownership and competition, and remains a prominent network for her clients and horses. She has been fortunate to learn under USDF Gold Medalist Cindy Jensen for the majority of her riding career, as well as multiple other respected clinicians and trainers. On her mounts Pacific Breeze and Lavont, she acquired her USDF Bronze Medal and gained qualifying scores at Fourth Level. She hopes to one day complete her USDF Silver and Gold Medals. Competing regionally and nationally, she received numerous high point awards and championship titles including CDS Junior Champion, CDS Junior Equitation Champion, and USPC National Champion. Her aim is to help every student develop into a competent equestrian and achieve their goals regardless of experience. She believes in cultivating a relationship between horse and rider based on classical dressage training techniques and a holistic understanding of horse care and management.