Michelle enjoyed a great summer & fall with her students at Hunter Oaks and celebrated her IP division win at the 2011 Hunter Oaks Horse Trials. She returns to Florida Gulf Coast University through May 2012 where she majors in English and Education.

Michelle loves to teach and compete! She is competing two mounts at the Intermediate level this season, the fabulous “Sir Malcolm” who she moved very successfully from Preliminary to the CCI2* in 2011 and is introducing a NZ TB gelding named “Intrepid”.

Michelle trains weekly with Jon Holling at Holling Eventing in Ocala (Thurs – Sun) and is looking forward to resuming her dedicated training schedule.

Michelle and Sir Malcolm earned a spot on the 2010 Young Rider CCI* team and helped win the team silver medal at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships in Lexington, KY. (USA, Mexico, Canada) Michelle’s 2012 short-term goal is to qualify both partners, Sir Malcolm & Intrepid, for the 2012 Area IV Young Rider CCI2* team. Long-term, she continues to train with her focus on the Advanced level.

In recent years, Michelle and her novice/training level mount, Prufrock, placed five consecutive years at the American Eventing Championships. Michelle & Sir Malcolm won 2nd place at their first Preliminary HT together (Maui Jim HT) and enjoyed success at several other events. Early in 2011, their move to Intermediate was smooth and by mid season had added a CIC** and CCI** to their resume.

Michelle credits her success to consistent work with Jon Holling (FL), Danny Warrington (MD/TX) and Ken Dierks (IL), plus numerous clinics and camps with Jim Graham (AL), Allison Springer (VA), John Williams (NC), Ralph Hill (FL), and Jamie Price (IL). “I’ve been lucky to grow up at Hunter Oaks, but you have to take advantage of the opportunities that come your way and work hard. Train to show, don’t just show to train.”

Michelle earned her Pony Club “B” rating in 2009 as a member of Heart of Illinois PC. She has completed an HA prep and hopes to test for her HA & A ratings when time permits. She loves teaching & assisting at HIPC summer camp. “Pony Club has been an big part of my formal training and it’s important to give back. It’s great seeing the next generation (including my little sister) work through those lower ratings!”

Lessons available in dressage, cross-country, & stadium $45 / Training rides $45