About Ashley

 

 

Ashley grew up in the small town of Easley, SC with parents who had minimal horse experience. After begging for lessons, Ashley finally wore them down when she was 5. She began riding at a western barn just down the road, and at 10 years old, convinced her parents to invest in a horse of her own. They purchased Ace, an older Tennessee Walker/Quarter Horse gelding, who spent many afternoons attempting to jump PVC poles held up with cinder blocks. Upon noticing some difficulties in actually getting to the other side of the fence, Ashley’s first trainer, Jamie Maddox, kindly suggested that Ashley focus her efforts on the English disciplines.

Ashley joined Pony Club around the age of 12, purchased a more suitable pony for jumping, and moved up the levels quickly. By the time she left for Clemson University, she had graduated as a C-3. She attained her B.A. in Communication Studies and graduated Magna Cum Laude in just 3 and a half years. After college, Ashley gained valuable experience working in some of the top eventing programs in the country.  She started out with 4* (now 5*) rider Holly Hepp Hudspeth before deciding to relocate a bit closer to home.  She then moved to The Fork to work with Olympian Rebecca Howard, and continued to train with her after branching out on her own.

In addition to starting her own business, Ashley worked part-time at the breeding facility that had produced her 3* mare, Maybelline Cover Girl.  She found her niche working with the young horses on the property, and remains passionate about it to this day.

In 2012, Rebecca was named to the London Olympic team, and decided to remain in England after the games.  In search of a new coach, Ashley ultimately chose to relocate to Northern Virginia to train with Lynn Symansky. Now, Ashley rents a lovely facility in The Plains, and lives nearby with her husband, Erich,  and their Shiba Inus, Scotch and Soda.

 

 

ASHLEY’S PHILOSOPHY

 

Ashley has never had a “made” or “fully-trained” horse, and has produced multiple horses to the international levels of the sport. She thrives on the challenge of unlocking each horse’s potential.

Ashley places an emphasis on making sure that she trains each horse and rider based on their individual strengths and weaknesses, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

 

 

ASHLEY’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 

 

ASHLEY’S STUDENTS

 

 

Heading down the Kentucky Horse Park’s famous ramp to the Rolex Stadium at the American Eventing Championships