Kathryn Schiess is a Level 2 ICP certified instructor and upper level competitor and trainer through the United States Eventing Association (www.useventing.com) and the United States Equestrian Federation (www.usef.org).  Her program incorporates a mind-body approach to movement re-education from the ground and from the horse’s back aiming at facilitating deep relaxation and internal equilibrium, increasing physical mobility and suppleness, and promoting the body’s maximum potential and performance using her knowledge and skills in equine bodywork, anatomy, physiology, and psychology to give you "The Perfect Ride!" Kathryn teaches the horse and rider on an individualized basis meeting the specific needs of each.
      
        Kathryn is a Certified Equine Massage Therapist and Bodyworker (CEMT) through Prairie Winds Equine Massage College (www.equinemassagecollege.com). Her practice, The Perfect Ride Equine Bodywork, utilizes the healing arts of myofascial massage, neuromuscular re-education, craniosacral therapy, and shiatsu (energy work). Her work helps to release and re-balance physical and mental patterning, to facilitate deep relaxation, and to increase physical mobility and functional awareness. She is undergoing continued education to practice homeopathy and would like to eventually establish her veterinary license to practice chiropractic work, accupuncture, and osteopathy. 

     Kathryn recently underwent a trainer intern position at Coves-Darden Spanish Horses (www.covesdardenPRE.com) training Andalusian dressage stallions through Grand Prix. She was under the tutelage of Francisco Javier García Romero, one of the founding riders of the legendary Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art (www.realescuela.org) in Spain. This was the opportunity and education of a lifetime learning from one of the best horsemen in the world. Kathryn has an undying love for dressage, and this was the perfect time to fulfill that dream. She obtained a much more in-depth knowledge of the upper level movements through Grand Prix, and she looks forward to building upon this very strong foundation to continue on in the world of dressage.

          Kathryn's main riding and training focus throughout the years has been Three Day Eventing (www.useventing.com). This sport has proved to be the most challenging and the most adrenaline-producing, so naturally she was especially interested in giving it a go. Kathryn began competing in eventing in 2000. She moved up rather quickly thanks to a wonderful mare named Cricket, and, by 2004, she and her three other team members represented Area 4 at the North American Young Riders Championships in the CCI* division. Kathryn has since competed through Intermediate thus far, riding her own horses and clients horses. She graduated early from highschool to work for Peter Gray in Florida for the winter of 2006. After this, she decided to take one year off before starting college, and she moved to North Carolina to work for David and Lauren O'Brien (www.obrieneventing.com) at Kincora Farm. Over the years, she has ridden with many wonderful instructors including: Kadi Eykamp, Bettina Hoy, Peter Gray, David O'Brien, Lauren Hart-O'Brien, Barb Phillips, Greg Best, Lucinda Green, Ian Stark, Jon Holling, Eric Dierks, Jan Byyny, and Allison Springer. 

         Kathryn has been involved in the United States Pony Club over the years as an active member and as an instructor and mentor for up-and-coming riders. She has also coached students through the C-3 rating thus far.  Pony Club is a wonderful organization that teaches kids to put the care of his or her pony first and foremost and to think about the safety of situations. Visit www.uspc.org.