Shellie Kwitkowski
Farm Manager/ Lesson Program Instructor
Shellie grew up in southern California, starting out as a weekly lesson student at a local barn, Academy Equestrian Center with Jim Frazier and eventually progressing to horse ownership. As a result of her years riding school horses, she strongly supports her lesson riders providing them with as many opportunities as possible. Her riding background is varied, she grew up mostly riding hunt seat with a mix of western, dressage, and natural horsemanship theories and techniques added in as well. Her quest for formal education brought her back to her family's roots in Cleveland and a BS in Equine Facilities Management from Lake Erie College. Shellie worked at 2 different small animal veterinary clinics prior to coming to Promise Land which gave her practical veterinary skills. She also worked at several local horse facilities as an riding instructor which she says gave her the ability to handle anything because the lack of actual management forced her to step in countless times to help boarders and horses. In 2007, she went through the training program at Fieldstone Farm to obtain her NARHA Registered Instructor Certification (therapuetic riding).
Shellie's previous show partner Finder's Keepers (Wink) had to retire in early 2007 but she is slowly starting her 4 year old Palomino Appendix mare Zips Lovely Angel (Angie) under saddle. Angie will likely be joining the lesson program as her training progresses. In the meantime, when time permits, Shellie is busy with her new horse Ziggy (Gettin Ziggy With It) and competing with him in dressage and dabbling in combined tests/mini trials as well. (Thanks to Michelle Orms for the opportunity to own such a sweet and talented horse.)
Pictured below is Big Zig, hanging out in one of the paddocks Pictured below is Angie