I've always loved horses. At the age of 7, at the urging of my father, I began taking riding lessons on a pony named Tramp. My first instructor was Linda Peake (now Linda Benson) of Trademark Farms in Cocoa, FL. Under Linda's direction I developed a very solid background in equitation, hunters and eventing. Linda was an enourmous influence on me both in my learning to ride and in my life in general. She provided the foundation for the development of my innate passion for riding to become a reality.

Also influential for me were organizations such as 4-H and Pony Club. These groups gave me an avenue to expand my experiences further. Because of my desire, commitment and progress I was often recruited to ride other horses, especially the more challenging ones. This, I believe, was an invaluable experience in developing my confidence and my understanding of the many different faces of the equine personality. I began giving beginner lessons at the age of 16.

While studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Florida I also pursued interests in dressage. I began working at a Trakehner breeding farm and became the primary rider of the young up and coming horses and my knowledge and experience grew exponentially. I took advantage of this opportunity to ride as many horses as I could as often as possible and in as many different situations as possible. I continued to teach as I learned and the teaching in itself became an invaluable learning tool for me.

After college I moved to Colorado and "retired" from engineering. While there I developed an adequate income from teaching and training, but realized after a few years that my heart was still back home. I left Colorado and moved back to Florida and partnered back up with my twin sister Suzee.

We've been developing the idea of Hidden Acres Inc. since 2003 and after many trials and tribulations it has become a reality. We are very excited to offer our knowledge and services in a way that is consistent with our understanding and giving nature. Although we have a long way to go to complete this project, we also have come a long way and the growth and progress we have seen to date has been very motivating and rewarding.

I began riding at the age of 7, but my love of horses began at birth (a genetic defect one could argue ---if you are a horse lover or are closely related to a horse lover you understand this statement). I dedicated my school age years to gaining as many experiences as possible both in training horses and in the show ring. My early successes were attributed much to my solid foundation given to me by long time trainer Linda Benson, the Brevard County 4-H club, and local Pony Club.

In college, I began to branch out in a quest for a deeper understanding and higher communication level with my equine counterpart. Through studying anything I could get my hands on like centered riding, dressage, and natural horsemanship I began to develop my own sense of style and expertise when dealing with horses and teaching others to work among them. My principles are held to always take the human into the equine world versus forcing the equine into the human world whenever possible. The horses well-being and happiness and the riders fulfillment, education, and safety are the foundation from which my lesson programs have developed.

While studying and graduating as a civil engineer, and thereafter working as an engineer I never lost sight of my passion for the equine spirit and I attribute much of my life’s successes to my dedication to elevating herself to the horses level.

Although I have worked my training and lesson business as a secondary business since the age of 16, in April of 2007 I was able to fulfill my life long dream of riding and training horses as a full-time commitment when my sister and I opened the doors of Hidden Acres Equestrian Center.

There is a long hard road ahead, but no doubt I will enjoy every step of the way in continuing to pursue my dreams that have through dedication, persistence, and perseverance become reality.