About Ashley

Born into a non-horsey family, Ashley’s earliest learning with horses involved a lot of trial and error. She started out riding in the pony hunters with Melvin Dutton in Malvern, PA. When she was 9yo she discovered Eventing watching the Radnor Hunt Three Day Event, and joined the Radnor Hunt Pony Club soon after. Ashley would eventually go on to achieve her A rating.

In high school, she trained with 5* rider Pam Wiedemann, who helped set her up with a working student position with Karen and David O’Connor. Ashley juggled taking classes at James Madison University, while simultaneously trying to rise through the ranks of Eventing. She also lived and trained with Emily Beshear and drove 2hrs roundtrip every day to classes. Ashley credits Emily with a large part of her success moving up to the 4* level. 

In 2010, Ashley moved up to the 4*L level and achieved many top 10 placings. She earned the Essex grant from the USEA, a grant aimed at assisting U25 riders who are working towards representing the U.S. in future international team competition. She also won the business plan competition from James Madison for her development of the equine product Rebound Hoof Pack. She graduated from University at the end of the year with a BBA in Business Management.

2011 was a rough year for Ashley, as her horse, Mazetto,  was injured the month before they could contest their first 5*. As he was older, it was only fair to him to retire him to the lower levels where he went on to have a long happy second career as a low level packer. 

While it seemed the more traditional and lucrative choice to continue to grow the hoof packing business, Ashley’s determination to grow herself as a rider was too strong.  After receiving a tempting offer to sell the business, which Ashley was inclined to do – her parents, Louise and Peter, stepped in and offered to take over the hoof packing business so she could chase her dreams. 

Ashley spent 2011 riding and competing for 5* rider and dressage judge Debbie Adams. 2012 with 5* rider Sharon White. 2013-2015 for 5* riders Michael and Natalie Pollard. In 2015 Ashley moved to Germany where she rode for young horse producer and seller Philipp Kolossa. Ashley was fortunate enough to compete in the young horse classes and FEI competitions on several young horses throughout Europe during her time with Philipp. In 2016 Ashley moved to England to experience the event scene. Ashley helped and competed young horses for both 5* riders Jodi Amos and Emma Forsyth. Ashley has been fortunate enough to be immersed in programs from multiple top riders in three different countries on how they start and produce their young  horses, giving her a unique perspective and skill set. 

Ashley returned to the US in 2017 and started her training and sales business. In the first few months she juggled galloping racehorses for Nial Brennan in Ocala, FL, though as her business grew she left the racehorses behind and moved to Lexington, KY for the summer. 2020 was a hard year for everyone, though for Ashley it was the first time in 9 years she had a horse qualified and aimed for the KY 5* event. In 2020 the 5* was cancelled. In 2021 it was undecided if they were going to cancel or not, and Ashley made the tough choice of selling her partner, Kiltealy Toss Up, so she could fund the purchase of a talented younger horse. She trusted her former co-worker and friend from Germany, Svenja Eckert, to pick her out a future champion sight unseen, as plane flights weren’t back going due to Covid. Svenja picked a flashy coming 5yo gelding, Daktaris, who did not disappoint. He went on to be training level horse of the year in 2022, and has gone on to win FEI events at both the 2* and 3* level. 

In early 2022 Ashley was contacted by Ronald Zabala – Goestchel, an Olympic Event rider and breeder from Ecuador. Ronald having just had a new born baby with his wife, as well as being close to his sixties asked Ashley to come help him produce his young horses and help him get to the 2024 Olympics. 

Ashley groomed for Ronald at the 2024 Olympics, an incredible experience. Though Ronald changed his mind about where he wanted his horses to go, and preferred that his horses go on to do Show Jumping instead of Dressage. Though she gained even more experience starting and producing horses from the ground up, Ashley knew she couldn’t shake her real goal: 5* Eventing. 

Ashley has just moved to Upperville, VA to the beautiful Arden farm. Her aim is to find like minded individuals who want to be a part of an exciting team aiming for the top. Ashley distinguishes her program by striving to achieve the highest standard of care, horsemanship, and sport. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, we’d love to meet you!