Linda began her dressage training here on Merritt Island, in Pony Club with Joan Ketcham. She lessoned with Don Sachey while working in Pennsylvania, and has trained with many international dressage trainers including Nonie Mulcaster, Inez Propfe Credo, Hans Biss, and others.
Linda began riding at 8 years old, and received her first horse when she was 13 years old. She then rode in 4-H, soon competing at the State level in the Hunter & Jumper classes. She joined Pony Club and through the Pony Club Summer Working Student program, she was hired by Alice H. Morse. Ms. Morse was an active competitor, giving Linda the opportunity to ride and work at competitions weekly. They participated in Delaware Valley Combined Training Association and Oley Valley Combined Training Association competitions. During this time, Linda met Olympic riders, Michael Plumb and Bruce Davidson. While Ms. Morse rode, Linda worked at the Chesterland Charity Horse Trials and again at the Radnor Hunt Three-Day Event. Linda took her Pony Club “B” Test with the Middletown Pony Club, where she was referred to as ‘a shining light of knowledge.’
Moving to Texas in 1978, Linda became a professional trainer and instructor in Houston. She worked as a show groom during ‘A’ rated Hunter/Jumper shows for Johnny Conn Stables at Bear Creek Equestrian Center and at the Pin Oak Horse Show. She trained and showed with the local Houston Hunter/Jumper Association. In 1981 Linda relocated to Austin, Texas. She joined the Central Texas Dressage Society, the Central Texas Hunter Jumper Association, and the Third Coast Eventers.
While in Austin, Linda was able to clinic with many
Returning to Florida in 1995, Linda continued her riding and instructing. After losing her horse in a tragic pasture accident in 2007, she avoided involvement with horses until 2012 when she began volunteering at a local Thoroughbred rescue, Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds (HART). In May of 2013, everything came together for her return to horses with a world-class facility as Amberdell Equine Sanctuary at Rivertime.
