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The Team
Together, our team offers over 40 years of combined experience riding and coaching at the highest levels of the sport, from coast to coast at the nation’s most competitive venues. Our program is rooted in a holistic, detail-oriented approach to horse care and rider development, with a focus on excellence in every aspect of our work.
Jessica Goldstein Holmes
Owner & Head Trainer
Owner and Head Trainer, Jessica Goldstein Holmes, brings 25+ years of riding experience and over 15 years of professional experience to Heartland Equestrian. Throughout her career Jessica has had the privilege to work and ride for top equestrian coaches in New York, California, Colorado, and Canada including many top international show jumpers such as Olympian Colin McIntosh (NZ), Beda & Lynne Wachter (CAN), and Jennifer Kallam (CO).
With competition experience in the hunter and jumper rings up to the 1.30m level, Jessica brings a comprehensive knowledge of both horse and rider development. Jessica has a passion for young horse training, helping take promising prospects from their first crossrails up the levels in their competitive careers. She also sports two decades of experience retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds for highly successful second careers in the show ring. Jessica believes in providing a correct foundation for horses, using groundwork, classical dressage principles and a patient, kind introduction over fences to help youngsters build confidence and knowledge. Jessica is also proficient through 4th level dressage and is currently working on obtaining her scores towards her Bronze Medal.
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In addition to her equine experience, Jessica is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and spent 10 years as a top-rated high school science and mathematics teacher in California and Colorado. She holds both a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science and a Master's degree in Public Policy from Cornell University and will graduate in 2023 from the University of Arkansas with a Doctorate in Education Policy. These accreditations, combined with her work ethic, dedication, and commitment to excellence help provide a solid foundation for the Heartland Equestrian program.
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With this unique background, Jessica possesses both a deep knowledge of horse management alongside an equal mastery of instruction and human development. This makes her particularly adept at helping riders improve and grow by helping customers improve their body awareness and biomechanics. You'll often hear her student's exclaim: "No one has ever told me that before!" or joke that they don't need a gym membership when they are riding with her!
Jessica's coaching philosophy centers around building relationships between horse, rider, and trainer and focuses on providing all her students with excellent foundational skills that can be transferred to any discipline. Her boutique program caters to riders seeking competitive coaching that will help them achieve their goals in a positive and supportive atmosphere.
Michelle Wadley
Riding Academy Instructor
Michelle brings a broad and valuable perspective as an instructor rooted in a lifelong love of learning and a deep commitment to safety and horsemanship. She has over 25 years of riding and teaching experience with a diverse background from dressage and western pleasure, to eventing and show jumping. Michelle joins us from Little Rock where she helped run the extremely successful riding academy at Bradley Equestrian.
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In addition to her riding experience, Michelle is a Master Saddlers Association-trained saddle fitter and serves as the County Saddlery sales representative for Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri. She has owned a tack store, managed boarding facilities, organized and officiated horse shows, and served on the board of both Area V of the USEA and the Arkansas Dressage Society. Her writing has also been featured in Eventing Nation, and for nearly 15 years she has served as a cross-country communicator at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.
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Michelle's passion for horses is matched only by her passion for horse people. She believes wholeheartedly in helping new and young riders build strong foundations - not just in the saddle, but in the care, understanding, and respect that defines true horsemanship.
Emma Boschert
Assistant Trainer
Emma graduated from William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri with a Bachelor's Degree in Equine Science. After working at a prestigious breeding and training program in Kentucky and Florida, Emma decided to move closer to her home in Tulsa, OK and joined our team at Heartland Equestrian!
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Emma has a wealth of education and knowledge in horse care and horsemanship and rated show experience up through the 3' National Derby level. She serves a vital role on the farm, collaborating to provide exceptional horse care, keep our school and training horses tuned up, and assist in teaching our riding academy and training clients.
Tessa Hazlett
Facility Manager
Bio & photo coming soon!
