Meet Our Founder
Certified and Insured USHJA and USEF Professional
SafeSport and Concussion/CPR certifications
USHJA Trainer Credential Program 2025
Coached champions at Kentucky Horse Park, Wellington International, World Equestrian Center and South East Medal Finals
Intercollegiate awards and leadership with Ave Maria IHSA Equestrian Team
National qualification at 4H Nationals Hippology Judging Conference
As a young professional, Grace began her career working for the Jayne family at their lesson barn in Bartlett, Illinois. It was there that Grace found her love for educating young equestrians, and worked alongside NTS Performance Horses developing young and green horses, specifically Thoroughbreds from Arlington and Hawthorne racetracks. Grace participated in numerous clinics and competitive opportunities, successfully showing on both catch rides and her own horses. Her diverse background and hands-on experience formed a foundation of her thoughtful, results-driven training philosophy.
Fundamentals
Education
In 2019, Grace relocated from Illinois to Florida, where she quickly distinguished herself as a top rider in Zone 5 of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). She joined Cornerstone Farm South, a USHJA Recognized Riding Academy, beginning as a working student and advancing to a managerial role overseeing the care and training of more than 20 horses, including international derby finalists, developing young hunters, and lesson program mounts.
After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Grace became the Resident Assistant Instructor at Cornerstone Farm South. In this position, she coached over 20 students weekly, traveling to Wellington, Ocala, Tampa, Kentucky, and served as coach for the Ave Maria University Equestrian Team. These experiences reinforced her expertise in instruction of the Forward Riding System, training for national competition, and farm and lesson program management.
Our Mission
In December of 2024, Grace launched Blue Jay Equestrian serving as a mobile training service in the Gainesville area. Collaborating with local programs, she was able to provide professional services to private farms. Within the first year, her students rode to top ribbons at Horse Shows in the Park, WEC Ocala and River City Horse Show. Being able to provide an environment for students that is positive and supportive while maintaining an emphasis on horse welfare and horsemanship has not only had great results in the show ring, but also produced happy horses and clients.
Grace completed the USHJA Instructor Credential Program in September 2025, and looks forward to providing full service boarding and training as well as a rigorous show schedule in 2026.
