When I started teaching riding I was thirteen. I was not a good teacher at the time, but I was a good demonstrator. I would ride the students' horse and show how it was done, try to explain it the best I could and stayed busy giving lessons and showing.

Eventually, I found Pony Club. I began to see that there were different styles of teaching. I became more interested in learning how to teach. I wanted to become a real educator instead of just another rider whose riding was subsidized by their students.

I took lessons from anyone who would teach me, in any style of riding that they taught. I was intrigued by the passion that people put into defending their techniques. I was a member of Tri County Horse Show Association and the heated discussions of the "proper" giving of a canter aid, or a discussion of the fact that "real" horsemen rode only a certain style was a source of inspiration to my studies.

I founded an idea called The Dressage Exchange Program which was supposed to be a liasonary system to get people talking more freely about their understanding of riding. It did succeed in helping to get some really wonderful clinicians into Florida, more interest in Dressage and then more clubs, and finally, the Florida Dressage circuit. There was a time in Florida that managers of shows had to beg people to come! (Can you believe that)? I saved some of the programs from our early shows just for the fun of it!

The American Riding Instructors Certification Program came along in the eighties, and I jumped right into that! I have done self study which has taught me about the different styles of learning that people have, and their different reasons for riding. I have found the study of teaching to be quite compelling, even as much as riding itself! To find an organization that would put a professional emphasis on teaching was thrilling!

I have been fortunate to have been able to teach some really wonderful people and I have had award winners at all levels in many different disciplines of riding. We all hear the saying that "those who can, do and those who can't, teach" .. .but I think that needs to be amended to "Those who can, may not be able to teach"!

Teaching, riding, showing, training and caring for a horse are all separate skills and passions. Not all people can be good at all aspects of equine pursuits. But a well rounding in all aspects can enhance any part of the sport!

For me, Dressage is the one thing that holds my passion, and has for over fifty years!