The Hunter-Jumper business taught me to sit on a horse who is jumping on purpose, which has subsequently helped me sit on horses who are jumping more unintentionally.

Having a stroke at age 28 taught me not to quit and to always be ready and willing to start over.

Holly McLain taught me that horses had way more to offer humans than I ever imagined.

David Carswell taught me how to bridle a horse in a more mindful way, which then opened the door for me to be willing to relearn everything I thought I knew about horses.

Leslie Desmond taught me that the leadrope and the reins should be connected to the feet in a very literal way. She also taught me that a teacher should always offer to the student the lesson the teacher feels the student needs, even if they are quite sure it might take many, many years to actually take root and grow.

Mark Rashid taught me that working horses is about gathering, shaping and directing energy (his and ours). He taught me about the power of centering and breathing and intention. He also taught me that a horse can have sub-clinical and/or clinical physical issues that can affect his personality, behavior and training.

Dr. Deb Bennett showed me how a horse is anatomically put together and how the “mechanical” part of the horse functions.

My friends at Timber Creek Farm in South Carolina have taught me so, so much, about friendship, and good farm and horse management, about the round pen and that a really good horse can come with a really short owner’s manual.

Kate Sandel has taught me about French classical dressage.

Wendy Murdoch taught me how to navigate my own body and brain after my stroke, improving my riding in ways I had only dreamed of.

Buck Brannaman has taught me what a “foundation” is and how it leads to more and more refinement. He has also taught me about try, self-discipline, being methodical and respecting and honoring the horse.