Equisicians, Inc.
conditioning the mind, body and spirit of hunter-jumper and dressage horses
through exercise rides and natural horsemanship games
Profile - Adriana Samargia is an exercise rider specializing in hunters-jumpers, low level classical dressage and natural horsemanship. Her passion is working with horses that are either young or green, coming back from injury or time off, or those that need to gain maturity, build confidence, increase their sense of balance and develop connectedness with their human partners. She also enjoys catch riding for horses starting or going back their show careers. Adriana’s patient and gentle methods combined with her quiet riding style evoke positive, joyful, respectful attitudes; horses begin looking forward to working and feel happy about their job! Riders often subscribe to one method and use the same principles on each horse they work with. Adriana’s philosophy is “learn from every discipline and method out there and use whatever works for that particular horse while maintaining a relaxed attitude and good sense of humor.” She finds herself falling in love quickly with each horse she works with and takes great pleasure in witnessing their progress. “It is a fantastic thing to assist in the process of horses becoming the best they can be.” Adriana balances her time out of the saddle with a music performance career, is a proud mother of three musicians enrolled at Bak and Dreyfoos schools of the arts and works as Director of Music Ministries for St. Ann Catholic Church in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Key Skills
- Highly positive, experienced, confident rider.
- Effective horse communicator.
- Able to assess the needs of each horse.
- Can evaluate for-sale and to-be-purchased horses for talent, trainability, correct conformation and pricing.
- Develops a communication and relaxation plan for horses with special needs and (non-dangerous) behavioral challenges.
- Able to ride in horse shows for private owners and sales barns (catch riding.)
- Able to ride in sales and promotional photos and videos and is excellent at wording advertisements and networking with buyers and sellers.
Riding Journal - Adriana keeps a riding journal which includes photos and videos for each horse she works with so that owners can keep track of progress. She finds that this is a great way to grow as a rider and hone in on places where improvements must be made.
Horsemanship Highlights
- Trained with Carol Goodstein of Spring Down Equestrian Center in Portola Valley California throughout childhood and teenage years.
- Attended Nick Karazissis’s summer jumping workshop in Northern California.
- Shown as a Junior Competitor in the Hunter-Jumper Circuit throughout Northern California with A/O partner Great Gates of Kiyev, aka “Manny.”
- Worked as a show groom and braider during high school and college.
- Attended a Centered Riding workshop in California sponsored by the late Sally Swift where the Alexander technique was used as the foundation of balance.
- Participated in equestrian vaulting (Voltage) workshops with Mount Eden’s team in Saratoga California.
- Trained with Olympic Show Jumping competitor Juan Carlos Garcia while attending the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.
- Trained at Castlewood Farm of Delray Beach, Florida (now Wellington).
- Held a working student position for Lee Windham and was schooled by combined training instructors at her farm.
- Attended a George Morris jumping clinic in Florida.
- Trained with FEI dressage rider and instructor Ilse Schwarz in Loxahatchee Florida.
- Taught Equestrian Vaulting (voltage)
- Attended numerous natural horsemanship workshops.
- Participated in a saddle fitting seminar with Carol Brett for horses and ponies in Jupiter, Florida.
- Assisted Animal Care and Control of West Palm Beach, Florida with equine adoption assessments and placements.
- Currently trains with Andrea Stonecipher of Jupiter Florida
- During the summer of 2011 trained with Pro Show Jumper rider/trainer Craig Clermont in Woodside, California.
- Continues to participate in riding master-classes and workshops with top riding and natural horsemanship trainers whenever possible.
Fitness and Safety - Safety is always a concern in equestrian sports. Adriana is fortunate to have never been severely injured during her many years as a horseperson and attributes this not only to great luck but also to maintaining a high level of fitness and flexibility. She also has never ridden a horse without wearing an approved/certified helmet and when needed, a body protector. On top of riding 6 days a week, Adriana swims and does a series of muscle lengthening exercises specifically for dancers discovered in Music College while studying ballet. Her size and weight are ideal for young horses as well as those recovering from injury. Adriana selectively refers horse owners to expert trainers able to work with the following issues:
- Biting - Kicking - Bolting – Rearing
- Severe bucking with intent to dump rider
- Excessive, dangerous spooking
- Balance issues that cause horse to trip and fall
References (numbers and email addresses upon request)
Martie Burkett of Merry Bay Stables, Ocala
Claudia Campbell of Del Mar Farm
Carol Goodstein of Spring Down Eq Center, CA
Alan Korotkin of Castlewood Farm, Inc.
Sharon Anderson of Snaffle Bit Farm
Joe Mastrianni, blacksmith and dentist
Sean and Heather Kalin, horse owner-rider
Sonja Madsen, horse owner-rider
Jeny Kyte, Trainer and Pro-Rider
Juan Carlos Garcia, Equestrian Olympian
Pamela Russel-Daly, Shoestring Farms, CA
Kelly Caldwell of Monarch Farms
Dr. Wayne Grimm, Equine Chiropractor
Dr. Robert Smith, Equine Veterinarian
Ilse Schwartz, Trainer and FEI Rider
Meghan A. Young of Cypress Hill Stables
Desiree Sasko, natural horsemanship specialist
Andrea Stonecipher, H/J and Parelli trainer
Marilou DeAnza, Trainer
James Lala, Trainer and Pro-Rider
Craig Clermont, Pro Show Jumper Rider/Trainer
Animal Care and Control Central Palm Beach