Meet Our Officials

I’ve been riding since I was 13 and got my first horse, a 4-year-old Morgan, at age 15. Since then, I have owned 25+ horses of different types, including Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, Quarter Horses, Arabians, a Saddlebred, a half Paso Fino, and various other interesting breeds and crosses. Although I was a founding member of SWFDCTA (now SWFDA) back in the late 80’s, most of my horse “career” has involved lower level hunter/jumper riding, training, buying and selling, primarily young and green horses.

In November 2007 the opportunity to lease DaVinci Farms came up, which I took advantage of since my 16-year career as a real estate paralegal had crashed with the economy. In March 2009 my fiancé Andreas and I purchased the farm. Since being at DaVinci, dressage has become my primary focus. The inspirational magic of my trainer and mentor Linda Oliver has helped to shape my focus and love of the sport. I have come to love its challenges and intricacy with a passion. This year I purchased a 4-year-old Hanoverian gelding named Robusto and I am very much looking forward to learning and growing in the sport with him. I am also looking forward to another year with all of our wonderful people and horse friends in SWFDA.

I have been riding for 12 years and grew up a SWFDA member. I have owned four horses who all taught me many important lessons both in the saddle and on the ground. My involvement with SWFDA began as a Junior/Young Rider attending the meetings and volunteering at our shows. I soon took on Junior/ Young Rider Committee Chairman and now I willl serve as your Vice President. I am currently Assistant Trainer at Sabal Row Farm and am pursuing a career in Equine Laser Therapy.

Dressage is my passion and I'm enjoying it with my beautiful partner, Estrella, an Andalusian/trakehner cross bred by dressage author and trainer Paul Belasik. Thanks to our trainer, Michelle Gerlach, we're steadily marching up the levels, progressing from being barely able to canter to polishing our flying changes and learning zig zags. I'm very proud of my girl! We especially enjoy musical freestyles and will debut a new one this year at third level.

I've been riding since I was 7, but didn't discover dressage until two decades ago. A charter member of SWFDA, I served as the club's newsletter editor for 13 years. I love SWFDA for the camaraderie, fellowship and fun it provides.

After retiring from a 27-year career as a newspaper editor, I am now a copy editor for the Florida Weekly as well as a pet-sitter.

My husband and I are active in golden retriever rescue and recently adopted our seventh rescue golden. I also serve on the board of directors of Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida.

I started riding my neighbors horse when I was 11 years old. I think I drove him insane as in the end he eventually let us ride on our own. I had tons of fun and falls (at that age you just bounce back and hop right back into the saddle), but I learned so much.

I started jumping and breaking young horses as a young adult. I had 9 horses in my barn from QH to TB. I am a Canadian native and I decided Florida’s warmer weather made it a good place to relocate. As hard as it was, I sold every horse I owned so that I could make the move to SW Florida.

My riding career started out at the age of five when I would hop aboard my neighbor’s horses without a saddle or bridle. It was only after our neighbor complained to my parents that they decided to let me have some lessons on little Shetland ponies. I am proud to say that 40 years later I am still crazy about riding! I am lucky enough to own my own horses now and love the sport of dressage. I enjoy the fellowship found in SWFDA and show my geldings on a regular basis. I love to work with children and introduce them to the fascinating world of riding and dressage. My passion is riding with music and working together with other inspired horse people.