Heather Salden-Kurtz is a USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer, USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist, a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold freestyle medalist, and a USEA Gold Medalist. Heather has started many young horses and brought them through the levels of dressage and eventing. She also specializes in "problem" horses, helping them work through their specific issues with a patient and understandin
g hand. Using classical dressage training, she believes in taking time to develop the trust and harmony between horse and rider, and strives to teach her students to do the same. She has a variety of lesson horses available for lunge seat lessons, dressage, and jumping. Heather regularly competes at dressage and eventing shows, and has many students who enjoy competing as well. She and her students have won numerous awards at local and regional championships. Heather's students range in age from 10-70 years old, and she regularly schedules "youth days" for her younger students to get together to learn and have fun! Heather has served on the board for her area's local GMO, CSDEA, and has organized many clinics and schooling shows. Continuing education is important to her, and she strives to bring in fresh new ideas to the area. Assistant Trainer Kjirsten Lee is a graduate "B" pony clubber with nearly 20 years of experience in the horse industry. She has worked with young horses and horses coming into work later in life, as well as horses coming back from injuries. She currently owns a delightful OTTB gelding named Gobain, who has taken a shine to dressage and eventing. She has competed successfully in recognized dressage and eventing, as well as at schooling jumper shows. Kjirsten started teaching with Pony Club and went on to teach lessons as part of running the horse program at Camp Manito-wish YMCA. Kjirsten believes that correct dressage basics improve the connection between horse and rider in any discipline. Kjirsten works particularly with beginner students and young or green horses. In addition to her work with Heather, Kjirsten has also served on the CSDEA Board of Directors.
