Shaana Risley, is an FEI level dressage rider and trainer, who has had a long and varied career working with all breeds, primarily, Quarter Horses, Warmbloods, TB’s, and specializing in Baroque breeds. She’s ridden many disciplines, and has coached many novice/beginners to upper level riders and trained their horses, or worked on issues. Her business, “Frieze Frame”, is based in West Palm Beach, FL. She has served on the USDF Freestyle Committee from its inception until 2005, and was also Performance Director for a Friesian Registry in the US.
Promoting good horsemanship and camaraderie, via competitions, her exhibitions with her Friesian Quadrilles, and utilizing correct classical dressage and even horse whispering techniques has been a life long passion for Shaana. She is most comfortable sitting on a bale of hay, talking to people about their horses and their desires. Her positive mindset has won the hearts and trust of many humans and equines that she’s worked with.
Shaana has participated in many competitions and a variety of disciplines, (having won her first championship at 6 yrs of age, and gone on to place 2nd in the state of PA in Stock Seat Equitation at 16, as well as numerous ribbons on the Winter Equestrian Circuit in Wellington, FL). Adding to competing, she’s attended expos and has also designed exhibitions across the country. She has performed at Equitana USA for noted Friesian breeders Proud Meadows (Dallas, Texas), has developed quadrilles for her own riders for Dressage at Devon (the original “Lighted Friesian Exhibition” at Dressage at Devon in 2003), The National Horse Show, the National Freestyle Championships, The Virginia Equine Extravaganza, the Florida Celebration of the Horse, and the Michigan State International Stallion Showcase (2005), and has developed half time entertainment for such prestigious venues as World Cup Dressage Qualifiers.
More important than competing herself, or presenting her exhibitions to thousands at prestigious venues, are the many top notch people that Shaana has been fortunate to get to know and work with throughout the country. She’s taught clinics in NC, FL, AL, PA, CA, OR, WA, MI, and AK. Her true love lies in meeting the people and helping them and their horses be the best they can be.
In the past, riding Quarter Horses for her Uncle, Ron Cimini (Owner of Tori Leather Co, Montoursville, PA), she was fortunate enough to have him facilitate a sales person position at the Quarter Horse Congress for renowned western store, “Ryon Saddle & Ranch Supply of Ft. Worth, Tx”, where, at 18 yrs of age, she was top salesperson in their booth at Congress, and then subsequently got hired to work in their Ft. Worth store. After hours and on weekends she rode reining and cutting horses, and developed her “Buck Buchanan” skillset. Eventually she went on to specialize in dressage with a variety of breeds.
Shaana truly believes that it is all “about the love of a horse”, not about the politics of the day and the show arena. She also affirms that each rider and each horse has their own unique character and abilities, and through patience, kindness, and a sense of humor, a solid foundation and a “positive” connection is formed. Shaana also has an acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathic, and a magnetics background, and is excellent with saddle fitting, as well as being an equine conditioning specialist. So as you can see, “the Whole Horse” is taken into consideration when she works with them and their owners. Not to mention, she’s a professional photographer, so if you ever clinic with her, you not only get instruction, you also have photos to view during your ride, as well as to take home with you for reference or Facebook!