Head Trainer

Beginning to ride at only four years of age, Melissa Blades wasted no time in developing a passion for the equine sport. She discovered her enthusiasm in developing young horses when she began breaking and/or re-educating green horses coming off the track. Fostering her skills under the tutelage of renowned trainers such as Sari Clipperton, Bobby Dryer, and Michael Page, she grew to become a top Junior Rider in the Midwest. Blades has won multiple Junior Hunter Championships, qualified for the Junior Medal/Maclay finals twice, and has competed at Harrisburg.

In 2011 she graduated from the University of Findlay with a bachelor's in Business Management and Equestrian Studies, where in addition to her academics, she represented Findlay in National IHSA competition three times. In Germany, Blades spent time riding under Helena Stormanns, a seven-time Nations Cup rider, where she rode young jumpers through 1.50m. Among her many accolades are top placings at Garden State, Old Salem May, Capital Challenge, the Stal Hendrix Pre-Green Futurity, and having qualified and competed young horses at the Kentucky Pre-green finals.

As a young professional, Melissa Blades is constantly further building upon the base of her equestrian knowledge by regularly producing quality hunters and derby horses as well as promising young jumpers and proven Grand Prix horses.