Sierra Nevada Equestrian

08/02/2025

Saturday sunshine + horse time = pure happiness ☀️❤️

Does anyone have big plans with their ponies this weekend? Let me know what you’re up to in the comments!

07/30/2025

Picked up the first buckle I’ve ever earned with my own horse!! Of course the first thing I had to do was show Griffin; he was not as impressed as me 🤣

This was for the American River Classic 50 mile ride in April, where Griffin came in 10th out of 64 starters. This buckle was made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the oldest AERC sanctioned 50 mile ride in the world.

Huge thank you to ARC for creating these gorgeous buckles, I’m going to treasure it forever. Griffin, thank you a million times over for being my savage little dream-maker. You have no idea why we do what we do, but you’re always 110% in. Every trailer I’ve asked you to hop in, every trail I’ve turned you loose on, and every mountain I’ve faced you towards, you always say yes. I love you buddy ❤️

07/22/2025

Hidden deep in the Sierra Nevada Mountains sits a bridge that most of the world doesn’t know exists. A lifeline spanning the crystal clear and cold waters of the American River, a beacon of hope for those daring to navigate the mountains. It waits at the bottom of treacherous canyon trails, connecting you from ominous rest stops known as Last Chance and Devil’s Thumb.

Swinging Bridge. A narrow suspension bridge named for the swaying and wobbling that begins to occur as you cross. There are signs posted at either end that no more than three horses and riders be on the bridge at once, as the swinging increases with each crossing party.

For the Tevis Cup 100-mile endurance ride, it might be one of the best opportunities to cool your horse the entire day. As you progress down the trail you start hearing riders asking each other, are you stopping at Swinging Bridge? Are you getting in the river? Those conversations reach a fever pitch in the heat of the day, when each switchback down becomes more humid and oppressively hot.

Swinging Bridge has become an iconic landmark and right of passage for those brave (or foolish) enough to enter the mountain canyons and earn their crossing.

Pictured here with my boy Griffin, crossing and cooling in the River!

Picture Credit: Michelle Evans

07/21/2025

I am so excited to finally share what I’ve been working on!!

Some of the rides of my life have been on horses I didn’t own. The number one question I get asked is how to start and sustain a catch riding career.

The Catch Rider Bible is an exclusive guidebook filled with everything that has brought me success, and offers advice on how to navigate the exhilarating world of catch riding.

It’s my privilege to turn a lifetime of learning into a resource that helps others navigate their own journey with purpose and ease.

Please visit https://www.sierranevadaequestrian.com/competition, where you can find your preference to read! Available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback, and on my site as a downloadable PDF.

Read it and be ready for the rides that will follow!

Horse first health, wellness, and competition advice.

Taking you with me on all of my adventures 🐎🏁🏔️

07/17/2025

Now that the Tevis madness has passed, I finally have the bandwidth to share what I’ve been working on!!

Some of you may have noticed the slight change to my name…Sierra Nevada Sporthorses began as a way for me to pursue retraining, showcasing, and selling off the track thoroughbreds, which has been and always will remain a passion of mine. However, as different doors have opened and I’ve pursued other interests, my OTTB program has slowed to a standstill (for now)!

Sierra Nevada Equestrian is more all-encompassing and representational of my wide range of interests and what I share on this platform. Over the years I’ve received so many questions on various topics that I finally decided to put everything I’ve learned into one place.

Sierra Nevada Equestrian will be a platform for horse first health, wellness, and competition advice. It will still be a place I share my adventures and day to day horse life, and maybe one day, sale horses again.

I hope you continue to enjoy the journey with me! On that note, next big announcement coming soon…

04/22/2025

American River Classic 50 🐎🏁⛰️

Last weekend Griffin and I took part in the 50th anniversary of the American River Classic! This is pretty close to a hometown ride for us, and I couldn’t miss it. I really wanted to use the ride as a test of where Griffin’s fitness was on hills since the ride is known for its significant climbs, and just like Derby two weekends ago, my intention wasn’t to race.

Griffin had other plans 🤣 this boy is feeling fit and man oh man, does he LOVE to race. He really comes alive out there, it’s just so dang fun to be his partner. We started mid-pack which infuriated Griff, but I finally let him go a little bit about halfway through the first loop and he quickly made up a lot of ground. Each loop was beautiful and well marked, the wildflowers were blooming, and I was just happy to be out there with my horse.

We finished 11th out of 64 starters, with great vettings (including a few very dramatic “drop and rolls” by Griffin in the vet lines 🤣), and a very happy horse. I learn more about him every time we go out, and each time I’m more impressed.

Thank you for another amazing 50 miles Griffin!

PS: maybe next ride I’ll put my arm down 🫠💁🏼‍♀️ or is this my trademark?!

04/10/2025

Taking a small break from all of the endurance content and going back to my roots with a Peggy Slew update!!

I was the “thoroughbred girl” for so long, it’s been an interesting shift to find myself not doing that full time. It is a big goal to continue with thoroughbreds in the future, and I’m so happy to have Peggy in my herd, my priceless OTTB mare. The heart, drive, work ethic, and temperament of the thoroughbred will always captivate me.

I transitioned my horses this year from steel shoes to glue on’s, which has been fantastic for Tide and Griffin. Peggy was doing well in them too, but they were just too much shoe for what she’s doing. Additionally, her front feet grow fast and flat, and we wanted to keep her on a shorter trim cycle. This all led to Peggy transitioning to going barefoot, and wearing front boots for rides! We are just getting back into the swing of things after letting her feet adjust, and I’m SO HAPPY with how she’s feeling.

Biggest thank you to for making my horse’s feet look and feel their best, and for never leaving me high and dry when I need help or have a shoeing mishap 🙌🏼

Looking forward to the future with my Peggy girl 💕

04/08/2025

My first 50 with Griffin! This boy is something else; I’m feeling so lucky to have him in my life. He had an incredible start to endurance with his previous owner Leilani, and the more I get to know him the more I adore him and come to realize how gifted he is.

Saturday morning was freezing but Griffy was on fire! Since I’m still getting to know Griffin and shooting for some other goals with him this year, we aimed for a more moderate pace despite the terrain being super tempting to fly on. I don’t think Griffin was pleased to be held back, but he behaved and was perfect all day.

Anytime I clucked, Griffin would leap forward ready to go, and was still perky all the way to the finish line. He vetted through fantastic all day, and looked ready to keep going at the end which was the goal. We ended up 16th out of 60 something which is actually just about where I wanted to be!

Thank you to management for an organized, well marked, and fun ride! Thank you to Andy who came with me again; he’s always been the best husband but is now turning into the best ride camp husband! Biggest thank you is always to my horse; Griffin, you are a gift my friend ❤️