Meet Our Team

 Our training team is composed of a diverse and highly experienced group of professionals who bring a wide range of backgrounds, disciplines, and teaching styles to our program. Each trainer has developed their skills through extensive hands-on experience in riding, instruction, horse behavior, and daily horse care, allowing them to effectively work with riders and horses of all levels, ages, and goals.

Our instructors represent multiple equestrian disciplines, creating a well-rounded and adaptable learning environment. This diversity allows instruction to be individualized rather than standardized, taking into account each rider’s learning style, experience level, and personal goals. We incorporate an understanding of rider psychology into our teaching approach, recognizing that effective learning requires patience, consistency, and clear communication. By breaking concepts down into manageable steps and providing structured, supportive guidance, riders are able to develop a strong sense of self-assurance and trust in both themselves and their horses.

All instruction is rooted in a combination of classical and natural horsemanship principles, emphasizing correct biomechanics, horse psychology, ethical training methods, and safe handling practices. This balanced approach promotes thoughtful decision-making, emotional regulation, and a deeper understanding of how horses think, learn, and respond to their environment.

Our team is committed to ongoing education, professional growth, and maintaining a high standard of care and professionalism. Their collective experience ensures that each horse and rider receives consistent, individualized instruction designed to encourage steady progress, mental resilience, and a confident, independent skill set both in and out of the arena.

Melissa founded Transitions Equestrian Center in 2013 and has built a reputation as a highly skilled and versatile rider, trainer, and instructor. A Grand Prix level dressage competitor and United States Dressage Federation Bronze and Silver Medalist, Melissa brings extensive experience in multiple disciplines, including Dressage, Jumping, English and Western Pleasure, Driving, Western Dressage, Reining, Natural Horsemanship, and Trick Training.

She has performed and competed internationally, teaching clinics and lessons in countries such as Australia, France, Canada, Spain, and soon Italy. Melissa spent six years touring with the World Famous Lipizzan Stallion Show, performing in front of audiences of up to fifteen thousand people. Her signature horses have been featured in major equestrian magazines, television programs, and film, including the Majestic Friesian Stallions in Albion: The Enchanted Stallion, which were also honored as Breyer model horses.

Melissa’s training philosophy combines classical and natural horsemanship, focusing on correct biomechanics, horse psychology, and ethical training methods. She creates an engaging, structured environment that develops confidence, trust, and mental resilience in both riders and horses. Her goal is to bring out the best in every horse and rider, tailoring instruction to individual needs and fostering a lifelong understanding and appreciation of horsemanship.

Emily