It all started when...
Ashley's love of horses began at a very early age. What started as carousel and pony rides quickly turned into weekly lessons.
A few years later, Ashley had the opportunity to lease a horse which allowed her to spend more time working at the barn and gain valuable insight on caring for horses.
Ashley was an active member of Lead Hound Pony Club and achieved her HB/C2 rating before deciding to pursue her competitive goals. The USPC's strong emphasis on horse management gave Ashley a solid foundation to center her training program around.
When Ashley turned 16, she was given a choice in horse-power and the decision between a car and a horse was no-brainer. Manhattan- a 1999 off-track Thoroughbred gelding- came in and changed her life. Together she and "Ollie" competed from Beginner Novice up through Preliminary in events across the United States.
After finishing high school, Ashley attended college but spent spring semesters as a working student for CCI4* Eventer/Olympian, Becky Holder.
"The experience was an instrumental part of my education and is what ultimately lead me to pursue a career in horses."
Ashley put her education on hold and permanently relocated to Georgia in order to immerse herself in the heart of the sport.
In 2012, Ashley started riding Payback Time- a 2002 Hanoverian gelding- that she competed up through Training (Eventing). After a rough spring season, the two needed to regain some confidence so they decided to go to a dressage show "for fun"
"My first dressage show was very memorable- I went into the office. . . paid a bunch of non-member fees. . . and left thinking 'Wow, this is a very expensive confidence booster'. We ended up winning both of our classes and overall High Point Champion! I never looked back."
Ashley and Payback Time placed 4th with the American Hanoverian Society/USDF All Breeds in 2014, achieved their USDF Bronze Medal in 2015, were 2016 American Hanoverian Society/USDF All Breeds Champions, and achieved their USDF Silver Medal in 2017.
Ashley graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University.
"Getting a degree was important to me and I am very fortunate to have had family and friends encouraging me to finish."
In addition to riding, Ashley enjoys photography and traveling. She has also gotten into "Tough Mudder" races!
Ashley's love for animals goes beyond horses. She has two rescue dogs- an adopted Rat Terrier "Emily" and a stray Beagle "Pebbles"
