About-
Shelbie has dedicated her life to learn integrative approaches that honor how horses think, learn, and feel. She aims to bring patient, kind work for the horse and aid the rider to understand their horses through feel and intention, bringing better unification between them. This desire to understand the entire picture has led Shelbie to study both Classical Masters and Integrative Bodywork. Shelbie was born and raised in Anchorage, AK. She fell in love with horses in one of the more challenging places to care and work with them. She began lessons and soon had her first horse, Beau. Shelbie became active in the hunter/ jumper show ring, and soon the dressage ring as well. She claimed champion for low working hunters, long stirrup equitation, and champion at First level dressage. The two also received high point champion for the state of Alaska, 2006. Shelbie received her level 4 in CHA and began Pony Club, achieving the HB level. Through Pony Club and the many wonderful instructors that came to Alaska, she found a love for eventing, which began to have more clinic and shows in Alaska. During this time she was elected to be a junior board member of the Alaska Dressage Association, and rode with the clinicians that came to judge shows. Through many great and hard learned experiences with her mare Neira, she began exploring other methodologies and schools of thought pertaining to horse training, husbandry, and ethology. She followed the desire for information out of Alaska and to British Colombia to be 1 of the first students of Philippe Karl's School in North America. She committed to her studies for 7 years in this methodology, before her curiosity took her further south, attending clinic, theories, and conferences. While in school she made a good friend In Mikaila Herold, and they have been working together in Florida and Kentucky for the past 6 years. To best understand what may benefit your horse the most, Shelbie has pursued education in a variety of bodywork including Masterson Method, Orthobionomy, Myofacia Release, Anatomy, Acupuncture, Reiki, Hoofcare, and Equine dentistry. To unlock freedom in the rider’s body and increase clarity for the horse, Shelbie has sought education in multiple styles of body awareness such as the Anat Baniel Method, Feldenkrais, Peggy Cummings/ Connected Riding, Thai Chi For the Equestrian, and Yorkshire Riding Centre. She spent 7 years as a student of the Ecole de Lègereté learning from former Écuyer of the Carde Noir, Philippe Karl, and his students. Curiosity drives her to find creative ways to design patient, kind programs for the horse. She appreciates that no two rider and horse combinations are the same, and uses these integrative modalities to bring a unique approach to each individual pair Summer schedule- Shelbie spends the summer teaching and training in Lexington, KY. Clinics are held at Pine Knoll Farm just north of Lexington, very close to the Kentucky Horse Park, and Keeneland Raceway. Training horses and regular lessons, as well as retreats are offered at this location. Visit their site for more information! Clinics- Alaska Wahington State Winter Schedule- In December Shelbie and her horses come to North Central Florida where lessons and clinics are held regularly. She and Mikaila Herold of Whole Horse Equitation, team up for educational classes on subjects such as ethology, and demonstrations of different work with horses. The two work closely together to give their students and training horses their combined, holistic knowledge. The two also host visitors who want to trek with school horses in Florida's beautiful state parks, lessons, and explore what north Florida has to offer. Contact for lesson intensive pricing. Working Students- We are happy to welcome working students for internship during the summer months at Whole Horse Equitation. Applicants must be at minimum 14 years old, have at least 1 year experience working with horses and must be able to commit to at least 4 weeks. The position includes room and board in a private or shared room, with a shared bathroom, kitchen and living area. It involves working with and riding multiple horses in lessons in exchange for helping to groom and care for the horses, as well as perform routine property maintenance. Fall, winter and spring are our busiest seasons and offer the most opportunities for our students. As summer is the hostile season for our area, our work schedule during this time is limited to early mornings and late evenings. This leaves the afternoons free and open for spending time enjoying the area such as the beautiful rivers and springs, running errands or resting. Please contact for more information if you are interested in becoming a working student! . |