ABOUT
US

Passionate about helping riders with their horses, and horses with their riders

From Backyard Rides to the FEI Arena—A Journey Fueled by Passion and Dedication

I’ve been riding since I was four, but for much of my early life, dressage felt like a distant dream—something reserved for riders with the right horses, the right connections, and the right access. Growing up, I rode wherever I could, whether it was in a backyard or a small local riding program. But without exposure to dressage, I had no idea how to break into the sport, let alone make it my career.

That all changed when I met Patrick King of Patrick King Horsemanship. Under his guidance, I found my way into dressage, and from that moment, I was hooked. I became his apprentice, dedicated myself fully to the sport, and in just two years, I earned my USDF Bronze Medal with my beloved horse, Winters. Two years later, aboard my partner Cedric, I achieved my USDF Silver Medal.

Since then, my journey has been anything but conventional—I’ve trained and competed on a wide variety of horses, from Off-Track Thoroughbreds and full Percherons to high-caliber Friesians. My experience training horses from their first rides under saddle all the way to Grand Prix has given me a deep understanding of how to bring out the best in each horse, no matter their breed or background.

Today, I am competing at Intermediate I with Misty Meadow Equestrian’s Furst Fritz, with eyes set on stepping into the Grand Prix arena. But beyond my own riding, my true passion lies in helping others unlock their potential through dressage.

My mission is simple: to provide high-quality, effective dressage training for riders of all disciplines, ages, and backgrounds. Whether you’re an eventer looking to fine-tune your dressage scores, a hunter rider aiming for more precision, or a dedicated dressage competitor striving to reach the next level—I’m here to help you bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

If you’re ready to experience what dressage can do for your riding, let’s take that next step together.

Why did i start Connecticut Dressage Academy?

Rewriting the Riding School Experience: A Program Built for Real Progress, Real Inclusion, and Real Horsemanship

I know what it feels like to love horses with every fiber of your being, yet struggle to find a barn where you truly belong.

As a kid, I was obsessed with riding. I was fortunate to have parents who supported my passion, driving me to lessons week after week. But despite my love for horses, I constantly felt like an outsider. I didn’t own my own horse, and I wasn’t as focused on showing as my peers. That was enough to make me feel like I didn’t belong. The adults I looked up to barely acknowledged me, and I often felt invisible.

But I kept showing up—because the moment I climbed onto my favorite school horse, all the doubt, all the frustration, all the feeling of not being enough disappeared.

That is, until I started realizing something was missing.

I wasn’t progressing. I wasn’t being pushed. I wasn’t being taught. Eight years of riding lessons, and I still hadn’t cantered. I didn’t know how to tell my instructor I wanted more without sounding ungrateful or making her mad. So, I stayed quiet, thinking that maybe I just wasn’t good enough.

It wasn’t until I stepped away from traditional lessons and started learning independently that I finally grew as a rider. That was my wake-up call. And as I got older, I realized that my experience wasn’t unique—so many riders struggle with the same frustrations, feeling stuck, unheard, and unsure of how to reach their goals.

That’s why I built Connecticut Dressage Academy—to change the riding school experience for good.

The Five Pillars of Our Program

1. A Barn Culture Where Every Rider Belongs

Too many barns operate on a social hierarchy: if you don’t own your own horse or actively compete, you’re treated as less-than. That doesn’t happen here.

Riders in our program are valued for their dedication and passion, not for the horse they own or the ribbons they win. We have a zero-tolerance policy for elitism and exclusion, and that applies to both junior and adult riders. Everyone at this barn is expected to uphold a culture of kindness, encouragement, and respect.

We get it—bad days happen, and you won’t love every single person you meet. But at a bare minimum, kindness is expected. Our barn is a place for people who love horses, want to learn, and are committed to creating a positive training environment for themselves and others.

2. A Clear Path to Progression—No More “Going in Circles”

I’ll never forget the day my mom, after watching my lesson, said to me, “It kind of looks like you’re just going around in circles.”

She was right.

I had no clear direction, no structured goals, no way of knowing if I was actually improving. And I was too afraid to speak up.

That’s why at CDA, we take progression seriously. Our rider curriculum provides a structured path forward, breaking dressage skills down into clear, achievable milestones. Students track their progress using our custom rider cards in our app, where they can check off accomplishments, log lesson notes, and set their next goals.

There’s no pressure to move faster than you’re ready for—but no one here gets left behind, either.

3. Real Horsemanship Education—Not Just Riding Lessons

You can read about horses, watch videos, listen to podcasts—but at the end of the day, horsemanship is hands-on.

Yet, in my years of lessons, I somehow never learned basic horse care. I’ll never forget the panic I felt when my instructor asked me to hose down my horse after a lesson, and I realized… I had no idea how.

At CTDA, education goes beyond the saddle. Our weekly free horsemanship class is available to all students, covering everything from tack fit and first aid to nutrition and groundwork. We don’t just teach you how to ride—we teach you how to care for and understand the horse beneath you.

4. Putting the Horse First—Always

Horsemanship has evolved. The old-school methods of rough bits, minimal turnout, and poor saddle fit are not acceptable anymore—and they never should have been.

Our school horses are the heart of our program, and they are treated like the athletes and partners they are. That means:
✔ Free-choice hay to support digestive health
✔ Regularly scheduled time off (5 weeks per year + 2 days off per week)
✔ Routine saddle fittings, bodywork, chiropractic care, and therapy treatments
✔ Education for students on fair treatment, equine behavior, and ethical training practices

Riders here don’t just learn how to ride—they learn how to be true horsemen and horsewomen, understanding why correct care and training matter.

5. Good Coaching—Because No Rider Deserves to Leave a Lesson in Tears

I left so many lessons feeling defeated—not because I had a bad ride, but because I felt like a failure in my instructor’s eyes.

Riders shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions. They shouldn’t feel embarrassed when they don’t understand something. And they should never walk away from a lesson feeling like they are less than.

At CTDA, our coaching philosophy is built on clarity, compassion, and accountability. We push you to be better, but we never belittle. We expect effort and commitment, but we don’t shame you when things don’t go perfectly. If something isn’t working, we don’t blame the student—we find a better way to teach it.

And because we believe in continuous growth, all of our instructors must continue their own education. A coach who stops learning can’t guide their students forward.

A Program Built for the Riders Who Want More

If you’ve ever felt overlooked, under-challenged, or unsure of how to get to the next level, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. That’s why I built Connecticut Dressage Academy—to create a place where dedicated riders are given the tools, structure, and support to reach their full potential.

If you’re ready to commit to your progress, ride with purpose, and train in a barn where you belong, we’re ready to help you get there.

🔹 Are you ready to take your riding to the next level?
Let’s make it happen—together.