Melissa Jones

Pattern Prowess: Tips for helping you memorize those complicated patterns

Pattern Prowess: Tips for helping you memorize those complicated patterns

Competition in the pattern classes at top breed shows and futurities has improved so much in the past decade that course designers have had to add maneuvers and to the degree of difficulty just to keep up and make the classes challenging. Some of today’s Showmanship Horsemanship, Equitation, Trail and Ranch patterns can get extremely […]

Evie Doles has some lofty goals for her new show partner, If Im Honest

Evie Doles has some lofty goals for her new show partner, If Im Honest

Every single time 16-year-old Evie Doles steps into the show pen she remembers some important advice that her trainer gave her. “Ride what you have today and don’t focus on perfection. Instead, focus on riding your horse, on being a horsewoman. “Those words of wisdom from Melissa Jones have served Evie well as she works […]

A Bit Of Advice: Knowing what tool to use is key in training

A Bit Of Advice: Knowing what tool to use is key in training

The constant pull, achy arm muscles and red blisters that appear on fingers after riding a hard, dull mouthed horse isn’t something any rider wants to experience.  When it comes to communicating simple demands like steering and speed control with horses to even more advance training with a young prospect, they all must learn how to […]