About MJ

Marjorie Dowell, an Oregon native, began her lifelong career with horses at the age of two, developing a passion for dressage by the age of ten. Guided by mentors such as Sandy Jacobsen, USDF Hall of Fame Master Horseman Charles De Kunffy, and Kathy Casey, MJ trained her horse to the Grand Prix level by the age of 17. Her education continued under the tutelage of several distinguished trainers, including USDF gold medalist Gerd Reuter, Olympian Hilda Gurney, and Pam Derby. She has also worked with Johanna Beattie Batista of Spain, an international clinician, trainer, expert on both classical dressage and Spanish horses, and the first female student at the Royal School of Equestrian Art in Spain.

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MJ cites Sarah Jane Clark, a foremost expert on classical dressage and Spanish horses, as her greatest inspiration. She is also heavily influenced by rider and trainer Jean Francois Favier, an O-level judge, Olympic competitor, and head rider at the Cadre Noir in Saumur, France.

 

MJ’s varied experience includes managing Arabian and Andalusian breeding farms, managing boarding facilities, working as a vet tech, coaching 4H, and since 1992, owning and operating a riding school, where she teaches riders of all levels from beginners to competitive dressage students.

 

MJ’s teaching philosophy centers around empathy for the horse and rider. Her foundational tenets as a trainer are patience, kindness, and, always, a sense of humor. Her program is centered around creating clear effective communication, lightness, balance, and safety for horse and rider. MJ believes that dressage is for all horses and riders, and has experience with every level of rider and horse, including physically and psychologically abused horses in need of intensive rehabilitation.

 

After training five horses to the Grand Prix level and many years of competition, MJ still has a hunger for knowledge and growth as both a rider and trainer and continues learning to this day, seeking further education through highly qualified classical dressage trainers.

 

In 2022, MJ made the trek from California to Pleasant Shade, Tennessee, accompanied by her faithful school horses, to start a new adventure as the owner and operator of Misthaven Riding School, where she proudly offers lessons, clinics, and training to all horses and riders.