I’m Alyssa- an over enthusiastic, fairly loud horse trainer from Cape Cod, MA! I specialize in reining, ranch, pleasure, and all-around horses. I also do my fair share of colt starting, lessons, and even work along side 501©3 rescues to give rescue horses a solid foundation prior to adoption. I’m an alumni of the University of Findlay and- fun fact- one of my instructors for four years was Clark Bradley (NRHA and AQHA Hall Of Fame Trainer)! Horses are my passion and I am beyond blessed to do what I love every day as my career. I ride to inspire, educate, and make the industry of horses a better place.

My unicorn is the one and only She's My Winona, but I just call her Winona (or “Nona,” or “Big Blue Baby”). She’s gone from wild mustang of Oregon to fierce show horse and lesson horse extraordinaire. From winning over $500 and multiple championships in the ranch discipline, to ponying all the naughty two-year-old colts/fillies, to being a saint while little kids pull her around the pen, she’s truly a one-in-a-million gal who I’m proud to call mine!

Feel free to check out my training page: https://facebook.com/ridinglighthorses & Instagram @ridinglighthorses

Now for what I can’t live without…

JEFF SMITH CUTTING SADDLE

This saddle is my baby… besides my horse. I saved up for a Jeff Smith cutter for four years! I really love this saddle because its fit every horse I’ve tossed it on- and that’s important because I ride a lot of horses. Its also durable and incredibly comfortable. I honestly want another one soon!

IMPACT GEL SADDLE PAD

I have had my Impact Gel saddle pad for 10 years. And I STILL use it every day! I got a new one in 2017 and that one is still going strong too! Keeping my horses comfortable is my top priority I can’t work when I’m sore and uncomfortable and I can’t expect them to either! I have never had a horse with a sore back when using these pads, I swear by them.

STAG NECKLACE

No matter what I’m doing or where I am- my stag is with me. I wear my little stag necklace every day, under my show outfits, and even when I sleep sometimes! To me it holds a very powerful spiritual meaning that applies to horses as it does life. The stag is the king of the forest, whisperer to animals, a messenger, and a beacon of peace, patience, and harmony. When we work with horses we must become a whisperer, a messenger, and a beacon for them to look to. His message I carry with me every day when I work with the horses.

ROLEX HAT

My last favorite think is my Rolex Kentucky Derby hat. Ok you can laugh a bit I don’t mind! I get it a lot! “A western rider wearing a Rolex derby hat? That’s weird!” As silly as it is, this hat is my favorite of my hat collection, right next to the one that says “Make Trail Great Again” (thanks Tim, for hat!). My fiancé got me this hat in her eventing days when she went to watch the derby. I remember texting her constantly “get me a souvenir!” And she brought back this hat. It matches pretty much every outfit I have and this hat has traveled just as much as I have! It came from KY, went with me to OH, IL, CT, and even NY. People at the horse shows recognize me because of “the brown Rolex hat.” Horses seem to like it too, I’ve had my fair share of young ones nibble it while I’m least suspecting. Needless to say, its my favorite!