Taking you from your first time in the saddle…to the Grand Prix

Beginners - Low Level Jumping

Sabina's foundational passion is to foster fulfilling connections between horse and human, in and out of the saddle. She grew up on the East Coast where she started young on the USEF/USHJA competition track riding in local and regional levels for Hunter/Jumper, Dressage and Eventing, as well as 4H Pony Club. She shifted away from competition, eventually teaching beginner riders at stables in New York.

Her love for horses and passion for equine psychology and wellbeing led her to relocate to Colorado in 2022 where she became a certified Equine Massage Therapist through the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage. At the start of 2024 Sabina was a live-in Barn Manager for Iron Horse Therapeutic Farm in Fort Collins, caring for a herd of 10 therapy horses (including one donkey, four goats and three chickens). She currently trains under Liz DeKock at Plane View Farm, continuously honing her own riding skills.

Sabina's 25 years experience, plus her passion for teaching, enables her to support beginner riders with compassion, safety and joy. She welcomes beginner riders of all ages whether it is their first time in the saddle or first time back after a long hiatus. When she is not at the stable she enjoys mounted archery, paddle boarding, and photography/ filmmaking!

Sabina will be working closely alongside our Dressage trainer, Liz DeKock, and Jumper trainer, Kristin Jacob (BSF), to help successfully prepare riders for graduation into their desired program. Whether her rider's goals are to progress into Dressage or Show-Jumping, her lesson plans will provide support and knowledge to allow for a seamless transition when the rider is ready to advance!

Intermediate/Advanced - Dressage

Raised in England, Liz brings a unique blend of riding techniques to her teaching. She has a broad spectrum of experience from Pony Club, trail riding and cross country to skills acquired in Southern Africa where she built The Pines Riding Center. Here she held camps and equestrian events, and expanded her programming to include vaulting, endurance riding and therapeutic riding.

Upon moving to the US Liz continued to follow her personal passions of dressage, therapeutic riding and equestrian vaulting on the west Coast. Liz trained with prominent Olympic riders and trainers, starting horses and developing them up to the Grand Prix level. She taught dressage to Hunter and Show Jumpers and eventing competitors to improve their flat work for over twenty years. In recent years Liz deepened her involvement in therapeutic riding. As Director of Equine Services at Hearts & Horses, she combine her talents of training and teaching to expand the herd and mentor instructors.

Her chief passion remains Classical Dressage, which she interweaves into all her teaching.

Hunter/Jumper 2’6” and above

Blue Star Farms

Kristin Jacob focuses on the training and development of horse and rider for competition on the “A/AA” Hunter/Jumper circuit. Horses are Kristin’s greatest passion, and from an early age she has competed on the Hunter/Jumper circuit through the Grand Prix level on the West Coast. Kristin has both piloted and coached multiple horses and riders to USEF Horse of the Year and CHJA Year-End awards and championships. Kristin is a USHJA Trainer Certification Program certified trainer.

The unique Blue Star Farms program that Kristin has developed focuses on fostering a willing partnership between horse and rider, with emphasis on good horsemanship and the fundamental elements of the American Forward Riding System. It is Kristin’s goal to methodically build confidence, trust, and communication between horse and rider. Although Kristin’s riders enjoy considerable show ring success, they additionally enjoy rewarding relationships with their horses outside the show ring because of the importance she places on educating her riders in horse care, horse welfare, and horse handling.

Kristin is open to working with any horse and rider but especially welcomes those who have ambitions to compete on the “A/AA” Hunter/Jumper circuit.