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Competitive Highlights At just four years of age, I received my first pony, Hopscotch, as a gift from my grandfather. My parents and I moved from Los Angeles, California to rural Texas, and we thought it would be good fun to have horses! And that was it; I caught the horse “bug”! Fortunately, my mom had the good sense to sign me up with the local Pony Club, as soon as I reached their minimum age. We had no idea how much we had to learn about horses, and we certainly never expected to become such stellar tack cleaners! For the next 15 years, my family bred, raised, trained and competed American Miniature Horses through our business “Chauvin’s Chevals.” Our Miniature Horses, especially my fabulous grey gelding, Cutter Dee, gave me wonderful experiences as a caregiver, trainer and competitor. Cutter and I were the most successful youth pair in the United States for numerous years – winning countless National Championships and High-Point Awards. After effectively conquering the mini world, I moved onto the big challenges of Eventing. However, I remained active with the minis for many more years – they even provided my first opportunity to delve into jump course design! In 1993, I designed and built the jumping courses for the AMHA National Championships. Perhaps it is genetic (my father studied engineering and art in college), but I love the challenge of designing beautiful jumps and courses which encourage horses to jump well and learn. This passion carries into the present as I am currently assisting Bill and Kim Clark of Leighton Farm to design and build a cross country course which develops confidence in baby horses and includes every jump that horses hate - ditches, banks, chevrons, corners – oh my! One of the main principles of Pony Club is to give back to younger less experienced riders through teaching. It is through Pony Club that I first learned the fundamentals of lesson planning, organization and safety, but my love of teaching was inspired by the tremendous horsemen I have been so fortunate to learn from over the years. Although I enjoy passing on the wisdom and experiences I already have, I also recognize that the learning process never ends. Therefore, I am currently a dressage student of Elizabeth Madlener and jumping student of Jim Wofford (I refuse to listen to his threats of retirement!). Previously, as a young rider, my eventing ambitions flourished under the guidance of United States Equestrian Team Member, Mike Huber. Additionally, I studied dressage with two long term instructors, Joy Court and Patricia Shipley. I have also ridden with Lucinda Green, Anne Marshall (Lawrence David Event Team, England), Jeannette Breakwell (British Event Team Olympian), and Angia Kerlock. And I have audited clinics with Captain Mark Philips, Carol Lavell, Phillip Dutton, Karen Lende O'Connor and Mary Gordon Watson. Growing up in a very small town outside Dallas, Texas, which was an odd oasis of eventing and dressage enthusiasts, afforded me a unique Texan equestrian experience. I have never barrel raced or herded cattle! I have, however, had a passion for dressage for as long as I can remember, and eventing was always the only sport for me. As a young rider, I had two amazing event horses which were both challenging and fabulous in their own way. Please visit my Photo Gallery to learn more about the very special horses of my life. Despite my love of horses and competition, this is not my full-time job. My “normal” person life finds me working as a Program Officer for The National Academies, a Washington-based think tank. I have my BS degree from the University of California at San Diego (Cognitive Science), MA from The Maxwell School at Syracuse University (International Relations), and MS through the US Department of Defense. My educational and professional endeavors led me on a ten year hiatus from horse ownership and competition. However, I never strayed too far, as I continued to teach riders and condition and train horses, as time permitted. Happily, my competition hiatus officially ended in 2007 when I began competing my newly acquired off the track thoroughbred, Katchi Kapshi (Korean for “we go together”) at USDF Dressage shows. In 2008, Katchi made his Novice debut with the USEA, and I am having the time of my life with him! In my vast spare time, I teach/coach a limited number of riders and horses, and I enjoy taking on the occasional project horse off the track. Horses bring me so much joy every day, and I am thrilled when I can help riders discover a little of that same feeling. Yea, I’ve got the horse bug! Detailed resume and references are available upon request.
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