AnneMarie's riding career began at age 8 in Lexington, Ky as part of the Parks and Rec riding program at Master Station Park. As a child she showed pony hunters, and remained active in hunter/jumper riding into her young adulthood. She was introduced to dressage in 1978, the year that the World Three Day Championships were held at the newly opened Kentucky Horse Park. Throughout her youth, AnneMarie competed in hunter/jumper shows and lower level events. She became a working student for a Washington state Arabian trainer the year she graduated high-school and won a Canadian reserve national championship in hunt seat medal. While attending WSU, AnneMarie became further involved in dressage training under the tutelage of Betty Tukey. In 1985, AnneMarie gave birth to twin girls, and four years later another daughter. "Michaela, Jessica, and Keshia are the joy of my life. Horses had to come second during the years of raising my girls." From 1988 to 2004, AnneMarie maintained a local teaching and training business in the Yelm area, continuing to develop her own riding and horses as finances and time would permit. "When I had to choose between education and showing, furthering my education was by far the most important thing for me." As a result, AnneMarie rode with some of the world's best clinicians and was a regular student of Gwen Blake of Donida Farm, schooling her own and other horses up through Prix St Georges and beyond. "At 44, I finally have the flexibility to prioritize my own development again. I am so excited to see what happens next." AnneMarie competed Neuman fourth level in 2008, and schooled Prix St Georges. She has several talented youngsters that are up and coming. She plans to compete in Region 6 this year. |