Julie Mitchell

Julie grew up in Potomac, Maryland in the suburbs of Washington DC. She lived there for 24 years, taking riding lessons from the time that she was 8 years old, but did not own a horse until she was 21. Her mother would say she started riding at age four, but unfortunately no photos exist that far back.

As a teenager, Julie rode for other people as much as possible because her parents could not afford to keep a horse. As many who grow up in the same way know, this experience is invaluable for obtaining a good seat, since most people tend to give the naughty horses to ride. Throughout her childhood, Julie rode both hunters and jumpers but tended to prefer the hunters as she did not enjoy jumping over 3'6” or going super fast.

Julie received her first horse as a gift - a grey Thoroughbred gelding. For the first year of ownership, he was ridden bareback, because Julie couldn’t afford to purchase a saddle for him. She didn’t have an arena for her use either, so rode around the farm fields and pastures where he was boarded. During that year, Julie saved up for a saddle, but found it an awkward transition going from riding daily on a bareback pad once she made the purchase. Between the naughty horses and extended time spent using her seat and core to balance, her position became incredibly educated!

As an adult, Julie worked in the travel industry within Maryland, which afforded her the opportunity to give weekend lessons to children and adults. When Julie received an opportunity to work for an Arabian breeder in Tucson starting young horses and teaching dressage, she jumped at the chance and made the move - leaving her beloved Thoroughbred behind. During this time, she utilized that great seat she had developed over her childhood riding very fresh and athletic young horses.