Kristin’s classical education and compassionate, consistently high quality training have earned her an excellent reputation over her 3 decades (and counting) as a dressage professional.
Kristin was born in Philadelphia. Her family relocated to rural Southeastern Pennsylvania when she was 5 years old and she’s been riding regularly ever since. She began working with difficult and unusual horses very early age and was an avid and highly successful competitor, showing heavily in hunter/jumpers, Medal equitation, eventing and dressage. After achieving some of the highest levels of success in 4-H (PA State Junior Hunter Over Fences Grand Champion 1987) & USPC (Highest Individual Score at USPC National Championships out of 480 non-musical rides 1988), she had evented through Training Level & was showing 4th level at Dressage at Devon by the time she graduated high school in 1992.
Born into a family of fine artists, her riding briefly came to a stop when she began studying at the prestigious Tyler School of Art as a painting major. This hiatus was short-lived, however, as riders started asking her for help at some barns near her school. She was excited to get back in the saddle and wound up beginning her professional career concurrently with her fine art studies. She rode and taught more & more during her Junior & Senior years. Finally, her love of horses took over completely & Kristin has been working full time as a dressage professional ever since.
After school, she became the assistant trainer to a top FEI judge and Grand Prix competitor and branched out into the local community, coaching the OVCTA adult championship teams for many years and helping countless horses and riders progress and show through the levels as she continued to grow her own education, taking lessons, riding and working with numerous notable clinicians.
She eventually struck out on her own and had the good fortune to train with acclaimed international rider, Jessica Jo Tate and & JJ’s mentor, renowned author, revered Calvary master and Dressage Hall of Fame inductee, Charles DeKunffy, who developed Kristin’s understanding and passion for classical dressage to an entirely different level.
Upholding this “horse first” tradition is extremely important to her and inspires her supportive, clear and kind riding and teaching style. She believes that riding should be an enriching experience for everyone and focuses on a mutually beneficial relationship between horse and rider, building on their individual gifts. This foundation of support, trust and understanding has helped her develop many diverse types into capable and successful upper level athletes. She enjoys teaching all levels and is proud that many of her students are trainers themselves. Kristin last competed in 2019, piloting the USDF All Breeds AHC National First Level Champion for a client.
Her belief in the rehabilitative qualities of classical horsemanship and her love of all animals was a key factor in her decision to found Silver Linings Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization that gives a permanent home to condemned, unwanted and neglected animals. For more information on the activities there, click below to visit the Silver Linings Sanctuary page.