Barbra is the farm manager, trainer and sales horse consultant. She has over 30 years experience in training young horses and teaching novice riders. From an early age, Barb was obsessed with horses. She talked about horses, drew horses, wrote stories about horses and, finally, at the age of five started riding horses! By the time Barb was a teenager she had set three goals for herself: To obtain the best possible education; To own a great farm; And to excel as a rider and trainer at the national level in dressage. Barbra attended Michigan State University ’s Pre-Veterinary program for two years then transferred to Centenary College in New Jersey where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Studies. She also attended Porlock Vale Equestrian Centre in England and she earned a British Horse Society Assistant Instructor Certificate. Barbra continued her education with jobs in the New York City area at the United States Equestrian Federation (then AHSA), Miller Harness Company, as an instructor at both Claremont Riding Academy in the city and Overpeck Riding Center in New Jersey. She managed Millbrook Farm in upstate New York and spent time grooming on the AA hunter circuit. Barb rode with George Morris, Greg Best, Gunnar Ostergaard, Anne Kursinski, and in clinics with Bert DeNemethy. Upon returning to Michigan , she began competing on the hunter and eventing circuits to continue broadening her education. In 1992 she won the (MCTA/TEAM) Sun Ray Perpetual Trophy for High Point Professional Rider. Dressage finally took over as her primary equine discipline in 1995 and she has shown successfully through Second Level winning many local, regional, and national breed association awards with her own horses as well as client owned horses. To continue her own education Barb is currently working with Grand Prix rider and USDF 'S' judge Maryal Barnett . In June 2010 she spent a week in Canada with riding with well known German Master Walter Zettl. She also rode with Catherine Haddad at BRF in August of 2010, Michael Bragdell (of Hilltop Farms) in March 2011 and Dr. Christian Schacht, DVM in May 2011. She has also cliniced with Jochen Hippenstehl (formerly of Temple Lippizzans) and Gerhard Politz from California. Most recently (July 2011) she rode with Debbie McDonald (two time Olympic veteran) at Brilliant Reflection Farm.
Barb was featured in the Equine Journal (September 2009) in an article about Paint Horses as well as the Paint Horse Journal (September thru November 2008 issues) which had three instructional articles on dressage for the Paint horse which included a full photo spread and step by step exercises.
Barb has started numerous young horses, following the classical dressage training scale to make sure they have the solid foundation necessary to become future dressage stars. Barb has a knack for teaching and training novice horses and riders. Her students have excelled at shows, normally placing in the ribbons with scores above 60% and receiving numerous year end awards. The horses she trains and show (both her own as well as privately owned) mirror her patient method of training. She is extremely patient with young horses, building the foundation for any riding discipline in the future.
In addition to teaching, training, showing and running a boarding facility, Barb held a position on the Midwest Dressage Association board of directors and was a TEAM board member when it was the Michigan Combined Training Association. She also served as the organizer/event chairperson for the Lisa Wilcox Clinic held April 2006 at the Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center at Albion College.
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Barb was featured in the Equine Journal (September 2009) in an article about Paint Horses as well as the Paint Horse Journal (September thru November 2008 issues) which had three instructional articles on dressage for the Paint horse which included a full photo spread and step by step exercises.
Barb has started numerous young horses, following the classical dressage training scale to make sure they have the solid foundation necessary to become future dressage stars. Barb has a knack for teaching and training novice horses and riders. Her students have excelled at shows, normally placing in the ribbons with scores above 60% and receiving numerous year end awards. The horses she trains and show (both her own as well as privately owned) mirror her patient method of training. She is extremely patient with young horses, building the foundation for any riding discipline in the future.
In addition to teaching, training, showing and running a boarding facility, Barb held a position on the Midwest Dressage Association board of directors and was a TEAM board member when it was the Michigan Combined Training Association. She also served as the organizer/event chairperson for the Lisa Wilcox Clinic held April 2006 at the Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center at Albion College.
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