Jen’s training and teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in horsemanship and horse welfare. Her philosophy is stated below. 

I believe the only way to truly successfully compete is through creating and fostering a happy, willing partnership with your horse. 

Horses do not decide to have competition goals. Horses want to roam in the pasture, eat grass, and hang out with the herd. Creating a well-rounded equine athlete requires a happy balance of turnout and work. When I start young horses, it is my primary goal to maintain fun in their lives and prevent anxiety from becoming an issue while they are learning many new (and potentially daunting) concepts.

I do believe that no two horses are exactly alike, and my training process is tailored for each horse. Although youngsters are usually walk-trot-cantering within 30-40 days of entering training, I am adamant that horses need whatever time they need, and they determine the specific training schedule. 

The dressage training pyramid plays a big role in my teaching, and mastering basics is the number one priority I stress. Once you’ve mastered the basics, everything else gets much easier. 

I believe that creating confidence through careful targeted teaching is the best way for a rider to learn. Each rider is an individual (just like each horse) so a very individualized approach is required to truly advance. 

I deeply enjoy the process of getting to know new horses and new riders, and love the challenge of “putting the puzzle together.” Identifying what learning approach works best with each rider is a fun exercise every time. When I teach clinics, it is a joy to work with new horse and rider pairs to decipher how to best support them and help them succeed.