Community - [ People you should know ]

Ann-Marie Lavallee, a graduate of the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Equestrian Science. 

As a professional trainer and recognized equine specialist, Ann-Marie has solved the training needs of horse owners throughout the United States and Europe.

Ann-Marie specializes in providing horse owners with the skills they need to get the most enjoyment from their equine friend. 

She is a well recognized training expert who focuses on the individual needs of owners and their horses.  She works with single horse owners and/or large breeding stables.  Her clients range from young children to senior citizens. 

As a 4-H leader for over 15 years she has mentored many students to successful careers.

In addition to traveling training Ann-Marie provides riding lessons and training at her Dryden facility.

Ann-Marie is now featuring her own video training series called Traveling Trainer Tips.

You can reach Ann-Marie at 810-796-3510.

Carol Ley has been involved with horses for most of her life.  She bought her first pony when she was eight years old and the rest, as they say, is history.  Having graduated from Michigan State University in 1981 with a degree in education, she taught school for a few years while devoting her time to raising her three children.  In 1998 she decided to combine her talent for teaching and her love of horses by becoming a riding instructor.  She completed the Centered Riding Instructor course in 1999 and has gone on to further her education by attending animal communication workshops, Centered Riding updates, equine anatomy courses (both intro and advanced), human anatomy courses, comparative anatomy courses,  an equine biomechanics workshop with Dr. H. Clayton and is currently working with Wendy Murdoch, author of Simplify Your Riding.  Carol will be attending a saddle fitting workshop with Dr. Joyce Harman in August of 2005.

Carol believes in educating the rider to foster better understanding between horse and rider.  Although the principles she teaches apply to all disciplines, her main focus is on lower level dressage and hunters. 

Call us here at the store if you would like to be put in touch with Carol.

Deborah began her career managing, foaling out, breaking, and conditioning thoroughbreds at a breeding farm in Rochester MI. In 1981 she completed BHS Horsemastership certification in Oxfordshire, England. She trained with Gabor Foltenyi in classical dressage and jumping throughout her career. This took her into show jumping on the A circuit. She began foxhunting in 1988 which led her to eventing in 1990 which she does to this day (Evented to Advanced). Currently she is coaching young riders to international competitions. She specializes in both event horses and field hunters with an emphasis on classical dressage. She teaches out of her barn, Fair Play Farm in Metamora. She's done clinics with Karen Lendie O'Conner, David O'Conner, Philip Dutton, Lucinda Gree, Sally Swift, Wendy Murdock, Eric Herbermann, and Marina Genn to name a few.

 

Please contact Equine Gatherings at 810-678-8000 if you would like to touch base with Deborah.

Julie Bates teaches and gives clinics in Centered Riding and TTEAM. She is also a Basic NARHA Therapeutic Riding Instructor.

In 1984 she completed her Instructor's Certification for the Handicapped at Cheff Center. She felt that she needed more to give to her students and in 1985 she attended her first Sally Swift Centered Riding Instructor's Clinic. She was hooked! From that day until 1992 she organized and hosted for the Midwest Dressage Assoc. all of Sally's Instructor Alum Clinics. She says Sally is an amazing person and a great teacher.  After 1992 Sally no longer traveled to Michigan and Julie then began doing her Instructor updates with Wendy Murdock. Julie says that Sally Swift and Centered Riding have changed life.  Julie dosen't just teach riding, she teaches living and she loves it.

In addition to being a Certified Centered Riding Instructor Julie is also a TTEAM Equine Practitioner. She has worked with Linda Tellington Jones since 1993 and has attended six TTEAM seven day advanced training sessions. At the last advanced training, in Florida, in 2003, she had the priviledge to be Linda Tellington Jones's assistant.

For Julie, TTEAM and Centered Riding go hand in hand, one helps the horse understand the rider and the other helps the rider understand the horse.

Julie currently teaches at Crescent Ridge Farm and Fair Play Farm, both in Metamora. She also assists her daughter, Debbie Pace, at Fair Play Farm where the emphasis is on Eventing, Fox Hunting, and safe riding cross country.

Contact Equine Gatherings at 810-678-8000 to be put in touch with Julie.