My story
Ever since I was a little girl, I had a calling towards these amazing creatures.
I don’t come from a horse person family, but they’ve always run in my blood. I begged my parents to let me take lessons at the young age of six years old, and that’s when it all began. Despite their attempts to have me try other sports and hobbies, I only wanted to be with horses, and they soon became my whole life.
At the age of ten, I was gifted my first horse, Missy, a four-year-old Quarter Horse mare whom I fell in love with the moment I saw her. She became my life partner for seventeen long years in which we competed in show jumping events up to 4ft!
She was an amazing horse, we stuck together through highs and lows until laminitis took her away, but she is still with me every day and I know she is watching over me.
A few years before she passed, Amadeus, the horse to whom I now owe everything, entered my life.
It’s because of him that I am here telling you this story today. Like a guardian angel he found me at my lowest and he guided me to achieve my purpose in life and biggest dream.
Missy in the last years of her life could obviously not be ridden anymore, and while I devoted myself to her care, the desire of riding again was strong, so I began to search for another horse.
I thought that I would never find a horse that would fill my heart as much as she did, but like a hurricane, Amadeus flipped my life upside down and stole my heart from the very first moment.
I refused many different horses before him because I never felt that “spark”. Then one day, I received a text from a seller saying, “I have your horse”.
I ran to go meet him and the moment our eyes locked I felt it, that electricity in your body and butterflies in your stomach.
I rode him for only ten minutes and I decided he was the one despite the fact he had basically zero training.
Two months before meeting him I broke 2 vertebrae on another horse, so I was searching for something reliable, but that colt with the sweet eyes and fire in his heart won me over and so he soon came home with me.
When he arrived, the problems started.
I quickly found out he was distrustful and terrified of everything, making him dangerous to be around.
The two months of Covid lockdown in Italy that kept me away from him only made matters worse. When they opened the barns back up, I was left with a horse who had no training, was fearful of everyone and everything, and didn’t want anything to do with being ridden or worked with.
I was on the verge of selling him because after my accident I couldn’t risk another bad fall, but the idea of losing him broke my heart, and I could never go through with it.
That’s when I discovered Parelli, I began studying online and I saw results right away. I was so fascinated by the program that I wanted to know more, so I met Isabel Pagano, Parelli Instructor in my city.
She guided us for years throughout our whole journey so not only did we become amazing friends, but also colleagues!
Amadeus now no longer is that dangerous, fearful horse who wanted to buck us off any chance he got, but he became my greatest partner.
I know he found me to bring out the talent I had with horses and put me on the right path, this one!
I always joke saying I am his “human project”.
He has been my greatest teacher and continues to be, and thanks to him, now I can help other horses and humans that have undergone forms of mistreatment or trauma.
I fell in love with the Parelli Program so much so, that after a degree in Communications obtained in London and a Masters in Business from one of the best schools in Italy, I decided to leave the office behind and partake in the process to become a Parelli Professional. I was chosen to go study abroad in the US for three months with Pat Parelli, where I got to learn and amplify my knowledge, and I came back as an instructor! Beyond being a Parelli Professional, I am also an instructor of the Italian Federation of Equestrian Sports, but I aspire to continue my training because we never stop learning!
Today, I dedicate myself to helping my students solve issues with their horses, reach their athletic goals, or simply guiding them in a personalized horsemanship journey.
Your horses deserve it
So, this is my story, I hope it can be an inspiration to those of you who, like me, at one point have felt lost with horses. I am here to tell you to not give up, and if you put your whole heart and effort, you will achieve anything you set your mind to! And I promise you I will give you all I have to support and guide you in achieving all your horsemanship goals.
Your horses deserve it, and if you are here reading these words, it already means you are taking a step in the right direction to help make the equestrian world a better place for horses and humans.
Follow your dreams and “keep it natural!”.