Ashley was born and raised in  western Washington, and started formal riding lessons around age 6. During her teenage years she was a working student for Heidi Snider Kauffman, and continued working and competing on the ‘A’ circuit until she graduated high school in 2006. In 2006 Ashley moved to Ellensburg, WA and competed on the Central Washington University Equestrian Team while also holding the position of coach for both the english and western teams. In 2011 Ashley started a 14 year old mare and turned her into a honest and competitive Three Day Eventing horse (pictured above). During that time she worked for Mary Burke, a top Three Star eventing trainer. In 2013 Ashley qualified for the USEA Area VII championships and the USEA National Championships on the mare that she started. 

In 2014 Ashley’s understanding of horses and horsemanship began to change when she was introduced to more traditional horsemanship methods, and was given an opportunity to ride with Peter Campbell. Peter’s clinic changed the trajectory of her life with horses. Ashley continues to grow in her horsemanship, and she has studied philosophies ranging from colt starting foundations, to classical equitation, to bridle horse traditions. Ashley is invested in helping people and horses learn how to use their bodies more efficiently both on the ground and under saddle. Ashley has studied under some of the most sought after horsemen and women, including Lester Buckley, Bruce Sandifer, Cal Middleton, and Amy Skinner. Ashley is currently a student of classical horsemanship under the teachings and mentorship of Tressa Boulden.

Ashley’s program is built on a careful integration of high quality horsemanship, classical equitation, and a deep understanding how how horses are physically designed to move. Horses that are physically balanced and calm are horses that will be truly willing, confident, and sound long into their careers. The “type” of riding that someone wants to do does not matter as much to Ashley as the foundation on which everything is built. Good horsemanship transcends specific disciplines, and we can achieve so much with our horses when we build a solid foundation.

Ashley earned a BS from Washington State University in Psychology, and went on to graduate with an Education Specialist degree in School Psychology from Central Washington University in 2019. She currently practice as a School Psychologist, supporting young children and adolescents in school. Ashley has been publicly teaching riding lessons since 2017, and she is dedicated to connecting her background in psychology and her passion for horses to help people gain a better understanding of how to build meaningful relationships with their horses, where people truly feel what it means to lead, guide, and support the horse.

Ashley is dedicated to learning, deep self-reflection, and I considers herself a student first. Ashley believes that the more knowledge we gain, the more there is to learn, and she is always searching for a deeper understanding of quality horsemanship that benefits the horse first.