As so many horsewomen, I started out horse crazy. I got my very first pony ever (a 32 yo Shetland pony mare named Ginger) when I was 5 years old. She had also been my mother's first pony many, many years before. In 1989, my family moved from Minneapolis, MN to Palmer, Alaska, and I had to leave Ginger with my grandparents. However, on April 22, 1994 I bought my very own pony, Shelby's Spunky Sumthin. All throughout middle school and high school, my time was spent in the pasture and on the mountain trails. That pony would do anything I asked him, even if we probably shouldn't have been doing it! In 1996 (my junior year of high school), I was awarded the Congress-Bundestag Scholarship.

This paid for a year of international exchange with Germany. What an awesome experience! I lived with Dieter and Elke Flemming in Hamwiede, Germany. They bred Hannovarians, and my formal introduction to dressage was made. I was hooked!

I was lucky enough to take part in a two week student summer program and I earned my small bronze riding medal at the Hannovarian Riding and Driving School in Verden.

Upon returning to Alaska, I decided continuation of my dressage education required that I leave the state. There was simply no learning to be had in the realm of dressage in Alaska. So, off I moved to a dressage farm in Hartland, MI. I worked and lived on the farm while finishing my senior year of high school. It was an excellent experience, however not one I'd care to repeat.

After graduation from Hartland High School, I attended Michigan State University where I pursued a degree in animal science. It was, at that point in time, my intent to become a professional dressage trainer. Many years and experiences later, I've decided my horses are best left as a source of enjoyment, not income.

When I'm not at work at Lansing Tool & Engineering, teaching lessons to my WONDERFUL group of students, or spending time with my fiancé, Eric, I diligently attempt to make progress with my mare Moose.

Moose, whose registered name is Wonder Woman, is a 7 year old Oldenburg mare whom I have had for three years now. Tracy is completely changing the way I ride, and I love every minute of it. Every ride seems to be the best I've ever had, and it just keeps getting better! I especially enjoy passing on my new knowledge to my students and helping them become responsible, sympathetic, feeling riders.

Shelby's Web Page