ABOUT Kohn Equine, LLC. & Michelle Kohn
Michelle grew up on Long Island, NY, where she began riding horses at the age 6 years old. What began as casual weekend lessons on gentle school ponies quickly developed into a serious passion for the sport, which has continued throughout her adult life.
As a junior, Michelle competed successfully in the hunter, jumper and equitation arenas; earning multiple championships and year-end high-score awards. Michelle focused not only on attaining success in the competition rings, but also on dedicating herself to learning as much as possible in the lesson ring. She has been fortunate to ride with such esteemed hunter/jumper trainers as Olympians Michael Page and Eric Horgan.
Following high school, Michelle was determined to make riding and horsemanship the focus of her college education. She attended Johnson & Wales University and graduated, with Honors, with an Associate’s Degree in Equine Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Equine Business Management & Riding.
During all four years at JWU, Michelle was a member of the University’s IHSA team. In 2004 she finished in second place at Regionals, and was the only JWU rider to qualify for Zone 1 Finals that same year. Michelle developed an appreciation for dressage at JWU, and quickly learned the role it plays in improving both a rider’s equitation and their horse’s jumping ability. Michelle has since emphasized the principle foundations of dressage in all of her training.
From the short stirrup ring to the jumper ring and everywhere in between, Michelle applies the basic principles of dressage to every horse and rider with whom she works. Michelle’s appreciation for dressage has led her to ride with some of the world’s top dressage trainers, including Olympians Robert Dover and Heather Blitz, international FEI competitor Ronald Postleb, and French Classical trainer Dominique Barbier.
After graduation, Michelle retuned to Long Island to serve as the Ride Director for the Thomas School of Horsemanship in Melville, NY. Michelle taught riders of all ages and levels from lead line through junior equitation and adult amateurs, coached students at horse shows to numerous championships awards, and managed a sale horse program. Although she loved her time on Long Island, Michelle made the decision to return to New England, where she worked as an Assistant Trainer for Jill Weinstein of Blue Ride Show Stables. While at Blue Ride for many years, Michelle rode client’s horses, taught lessons, coached at horse shows and organized shows and clinics.
In 2018, Michelle decided to start her own business and established Kohn Equine, LLC. She continues to teach riders of all ages and levels and also specializes in the sale of quality dressage and hunter/jumper horses.