Training - Background and Influences
Motivated by attention to detail and the methodical process of taking a horse up the levels, Jackie began riding for Olympic silver medalist Sabine Schut-Kery in 2012, where she rode numerous young horses and FEI horses over the span of 8 years (2012 – 2020). Jackie competed the young horses in Sabine’s program with scores up to 79%. Sabine’s technical approach, coupled with her innate feel and impeccable horsemanship, set the stage for an invaluable immersion education. As a result, Jackie developed training methods that focus on the fundamental principles of dressage, no matter the education level of the horse. In turn, this promotes symmetrical, sound, and happy horses. As a junior and young adult rider, Jackie rode and competed hunter/jumpers in Virginia before moving to California and pivoting to dressage. Such holistic experiences help Jackie develop horses with different backgrounds into competition dressage horses.
Jackie centers her training program around unity and connection. She enjoys the analytical aspect of achieving this with each horse in her program, fitting together each horse's unique "puzzle" pieces with an approach that is fair and clear.
Currently, Jackie continues her education with regular lessons from Peter Storr, where she values his multi-faceted background as a top rider and FEI 5* judge, with emphasis on clear communication between horse and rider within a high level of technical nuance and attention to detail.
Jackie also has ridden with Leslie Morse, who represented the U.S. in five FEI World Cup Finals, earned a U.S. team bronze medal in the World Equestrian Games, and was a two-time alternate on the U.S. Olympic team.
Jackie has also had the honor of riding with Christine Traurig, Albrecht Heidemann, Volker Brommann, and Ida Mattisson.
Training and Coaching
Jackie offers flexible training packages that include training rides and client lessons. Jackie maintains a boutique training program, which ensures she has the capacity to spend quality time with each horse and rider. Since every horse is unique in their strengths and challenges, Jackie spends time tailoring the training program to the horse—inside and outside of the dressage court. This includes hill work on the trails, working around the exercise track, and pole/cavaletti work.
Given the importance of a holistic approach, training includes Jackie’s management and oversight of each horse’s needs, such as turn out, the farrier, vet services/medication needs, chiropractor, saddle fitting, nutrition, and more.
Jackie enjoys coaching students of all ages. She strives to present complex topics in a clear way and takes a scaffolding approach, breaking concepts into their component parts, explaining each part until the rider understands how to apply their aids in harmony and unison. Jackie constantly seeks continuing education to in turn provide new ways to explain the classical dressage approach to students.
Jackie works closely with a personal trainer weekly off the horse to ensure that she brings her best to every horse she rides. In turn, Jackie incorporates such strength and conditioning concepts into her teaching methods.
Jackie welcomes trailer-in lessons at Hidden Valley Ranch.
