Date of birth: 24-10-1984 Place of birth: Almere, the Netherlands

Education: (all received in The Netherlands)
1999 to 2003 Equine management, MBO Friesland
2004, BHV (barn emergency response management), PTC+
2003, Instruction certificate (dressage), ORUN
2003, EHBO-paard (first aid for horses), ORUN

Specialized training: I began my equestrian journey in Holland, studying with Anky Van Grunsven, Edward Gal, and Ulla Salzgeber. I came to the United States in 2004 and have since had the opportunity to travel across the country and learn more about different approaches and diversify my skills into eventing and combined driving. I have worked with Eric Smiley and Karen McCollum and FEI drivers Larry Poulin and Sarah Schmitt. I settled and developed my professional business in Chester, Vermont and recently relocated to Ocala with the assistance of Gunnar Ostergaard.

Non equine experience: I worked at Okemo ski resort for a winter when I first moved to the USA. At home in the Netherlands I had a job as a courier to support my “horse-habit” as my parents call it ;)

Previous jobs: Trainer at Leppehorne, the Netherlands -- barn manager/head trainer at Friesians of Majesty, Townshend, VT -- dressage trainer Rainbows End Farm, Springfield, VT -- ran my own farm in Chester Vermont called HMS Equine, dressage training, instruction and sales.

Horse experience: I have been riding since I was 5 years old, starting with 2 years of vaulting at a competitive level. I successfully competed at regional and national shows in both the Netherlands and the US. I have been working in the horse business since high school.

What makes you uniquely qualified to be a contributing member of “Team Chiacchia”: My motivation and professionalism, my dressage knowledge and my ability to see the each horse as an individual, focusing on their own physical and psychological needs.

What brought you to Team Chiacchia? (How did you meet Darren?)
My husband and I stopped by the last day of the spring (2009) sale and I never really left : )

What are your duties for Team chiacchia? I am a big part of the dressage training program for both the dressage and the event horses and also work with the youngsters. Besides that I help out at shows and am available for dressage lessons and coaching at the farm or at show grounds.

What is it about Team Chiacchia you like or enjoy the most? All the people I work with on a daily bases, the talented horses and the fact that we are really a TEAM in every sense of the word.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Read, swim (since we have been in FL), hike with the dogs, used to ski and snowboard but it’s too warm here and travel.

What are your non horse related hobbies? See above, though there is little time, horses stay my main hobby, and I get to do it all day every day!