Epona Equestrian Center is proud to have Christen Garcia, "The Magician", as our head trainer. She established her love for riding when she was old enough to get on the Shetland ponies at the fair. When she was 7 her family moved to Texas. One day, while driving down some old country roads, a sign saying "horse back riding lessons" caught her eye. She begged her parents to call, and her horse back riding career began.
Christen began training in Dressage and Hunter/Jumpers with Inger Svalling. After successfully showing in Hunter/Jumpers and Dressage for 10 years, Christen's focus shifted to Eventing. The first time she saw a cross-country course, she was hooked. Since then, she has successfully shown in USEA recognized Eventing shows throughout Region V as an assistant trainer with Jennifer Burk and has placed in the Top 5 on a consistent basis. Her expertise is in training green (sometimes crazy) horses to become successful eventers.
Christen also has a soft spot in her heart for unwanted and neglected horses. Her ability to take in abused horses and turn them into loving, sane equine competitors is exceptional. She is the co-founder of Coyote Creek Rescue, a new equine rescue organization that saves horses and donkeys from slaughter and other bad situations. Christen believes that there is no such thing as a bad horse, only bad owners/trainers. She has proven there is always hope given the right training and understanding of the horse. Christen's ability to train the "untrainable" has earned her the nickname, "The Magician".
Equine Sports Massage by Leah Norstrud
Epona is proud to offer the services of Leah Norstrud, Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist.
BIOGRAPHY
Leah Norstrud came to love horses as an adult when she could support as much horse interaction as possible. Over the last 10 years she has spent many hours riding, training, observing, and just spending time with her horse companions. After having multiple sports massages herself to heal after an injury, she started to explore the benefit of using equine sports massage therapy for her equine partners. Her love for horses led her to train with Equissage to become a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist.
Leah says, "I love watching horses move with freedom and grace. There is nothing more frustrating than having your horse move unevenly and with restriction for no apparent reason. I have found equine sports massage to be amazing for pain relief and muscle relaxation. It gives me tremendous satisfaction to help our equine partners."
Our horses are certainly glad she is here!
Contact us today to schedule your appointment with Leah. You and your horse will be glad you did!
