Our Instructor
Holly Winkeljohn has been teaching horseback riding for over 20 years. She is a Jane Savoie Level 2 Certified Instructor. She is the only instructor in Florida to hold this distinction and at the time of publishing, is one of only 14 in the world to have completed Jane's course. She is also a WDAFL (Western Dressage Association of Florida) Sanctioned Instructor.
Holly holds a bachelor's degree in Animal Science with a minor in Equine Science and an emphasis on teaching Equitation. Over the years she has been certified as a level 4 instructor with the CHA and as both a therapeautic and driving instructor with NARHA. She has competed hunters on the A circuit, and has shown Appaloosa and Arabian breed shows. Currently her students compete in English and Western Dressage at local and rated shows all the way to regional championships. Several of her students also ride in breed shows and in 4-H competitions.
She believes first and foremost that riding is supposed to be fun. After all - we spend a lot of money on these animals... shouldn't we enjoy it? She also firmly believes that ALL riders and horses will benefit from a dressage base. All lessons include dressage principles to help riders and horses reach their potential. She is proud to have coached several riders from their first moments in the saddle, to USDF Regional Championships. She currently has several students who have earned their Bronze medals and several who are working on their Bronze medals.
Holly holds a bachelor's degree in Animal Science with a minor in Equine Science and an emphasis on teaching Equitation. Over the years she has been certified as a level 4 instructor with the CHA and as both a therapeautic and driving instructor with NARHA. She has competed hunters on the A circuit, and has shown Appaloosa and Arabian breed shows. Currently her students compete in English and Western Dressage at local and rated shows all the way to regional championships. Several of her students also ride in breed shows and in 4-H competitions.
She believes first and foremost that riding is supposed to be fun. After all - we spend a lot of money on these animals... shouldn't we enjoy it? She also firmly believes that ALL riders and horses will benefit from a dressage base. All lessons include dressage principles to help riders and horses reach their potential. She is proud to have coached several riders from their first moments in the saddle, to USDF Regional Championships. She currently has several students who have earned their Bronze medals and several who are working on their Bronze medals.
What does it take to be a Jane Savoie Certified instructor?
Earning my certification with Jane Savoie International was truly one of the proudest moments of my life. it took me almost a year to complete the course. It began with a riding test before being accepted into the program. Once accepted, training started with a four day coaching seminar at the USDF headquarters in Gladstone, NJ. Jane presented an amazing clinic going over teaching principles, strategies, order, etc. It was an information packed four days that offered incredible clarity. Clarity that I am thrilled to pass on to my students!
Upon returning from the seminar I immediately put many of Jane's ideas into practice. The results have been staggering! My students and horses have improved more rapidly that I thought possible! But that was not the end of the training. I spent much of the next year studying course material in preparation for testing. All JS certified instructors must pass a written test. I'm happy to say that I did very well on that test!
Next began the video training. I had to submit videos of me teaching the principles that I've learned for Jane to review. Can you say intimidating?? While I strive to do my best when teaching, there's a bit of pressure involved in knowing that three time Olympic coach Jane Savoie will be critiquing your skills. Once Jane had an opportunity to watch me in action, we then began the back and forth on how to improve so that I can be as clear as possible to my students. While it was nerve wracking, Jane is as nice in person as she appears to be in all of her videos, making her critiques so helpful. I'll be the first to admit that I'm far from perfect, but I now have the voice of Jane Savoie in my head reminding me to try harder to be the best instructor I can be. And I will continue to strive to be a worthy of her praise.
Holly
Earning my certification with Jane Savoie International was truly one of the proudest moments of my life. it took me almost a year to complete the course. It began with a riding test before being accepted into the program. Once accepted, training started with a four day coaching seminar at the USDF headquarters in Gladstone, NJ. Jane presented an amazing clinic going over teaching principles, strategies, order, etc. It was an information packed four days that offered incredible clarity. Clarity that I am thrilled to pass on to my students!
Upon returning from the seminar I immediately put many of Jane's ideas into practice. The results have been staggering! My students and horses have improved more rapidly that I thought possible! But that was not the end of the training. I spent much of the next year studying course material in preparation for testing. All JS certified instructors must pass a written test. I'm happy to say that I did very well on that test!
Next began the video training. I had to submit videos of me teaching the principles that I've learned for Jane to review. Can you say intimidating?? While I strive to do my best when teaching, there's a bit of pressure involved in knowing that three time Olympic coach Jane Savoie will be critiquing your skills. Once Jane had an opportunity to watch me in action, we then began the back and forth on how to improve so that I can be as clear as possible to my students. While it was nerve wracking, Jane is as nice in person as she appears to be in all of her videos, making her critiques so helpful. I'll be the first to admit that I'm far from perfect, but I now have the voice of Jane Savoie in my head reminding me to try harder to be the best instructor I can be. And I will continue to strive to be a worthy of her praise.
Holly