Photo by Peggy Harrison
Emily’s dressage instruction focuses on correct basics, rider biomechanics and true leadership to create a harmonious partnership for any discipline. She draws on a deep foundation of dressage fundamentals from teachers such as Bruno Greber, Carolyn Resnick, Wendy Murdoch, Shelly Francis, Roel Theunissen, Adam Lastowka and Paula Paglia.
Read MoreA graduate of the Young Rider program, she has earned numerous awards, including two National Championships at the Arabian Youth Nationals and Top 12 at the North American Young Rider’s Championship. In 2011 she returned to teaching dressage after taking time off to complete her Ph.D. in Biochemistry.
Emily also coaches riders on improving their relationships with horses to create more joyful partnerships. Emily believes that our relationships with horses mirror our relationship to ourselves and to life. She encourages horsemen to recognize the importance of using emotion as information to enhance connection and keep the magic of the relationship alive. By cultivating awareness of sensations, thoughts and feelings, riders are empowered in transforming their relationships with their horses. Emily puts these techniques into practice in both mounted and unmounted at-liberty exercises with the horse.
Qualifications and Awards
In 1996, Emily was Youth National Champion First and Second Level Dressage at Arabian Youth National Championships, together with IC Theo Santana +/ (Theo). Having earned Top Ten awards in three other divisions, Theo was also named the High Point Gelding of the Youth National Championship show. In the same year, the pair earned top honors against all breeds in the New England Dressage Association Year End Awards for Young Riders at First and Second Level dressage.
In 1997, Emily earned her USDF Bronze Medal for achievement through Third Level, with Theo. In her entire show career with Theo, Emily won dozens of blue ribbons, and multiple Regional and National Championships at the Arabian shows. Theo was also named American Horse Shows Association 1998 Region 7 Reserve Champion Arabian Dressage Horse.
In 1998, Emily represented USDF Region 8 at the North American Young Riders Championship, a USA Junior Olympics-Equestrian Event. Riding Ulko, Emily placed ninth individually and fifth as a team. FEI Young Riders tests are approximately equivalent to FEI Prix St. George’s level.
From 2000-2002, Emily volunteered as the Assistant Coach of University of Massachusetts Dressage Team. Altogether, Emily has over 15 years of experience teaching and mentoring.
In addition to her dressage training, Emily has completed a Saddle Fit work shop with Wendy Murdoch and Joyce Harman, two courses in the Waterhole Rituals with Carolyn Resnick and an intensive Beyond the Waterhole Rituals Rituals clinic, also with Carolyn Resnick. Her heart-centered approach to horsemanship is inspired by her studies of Buddhism, yoga, her spiritual practice according to the teachings of don Miguel Ruiz and her study of the Carolyn Resnick Method.
