MELISSA NICE

I started riding at the age of nine in Virginia. I competed in hunter/jumpers for a few years and then switched to the sport of eventing at age 12. I competed throughout Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania through high school and upon graduation, moved to Pennsylvania for college.

I attended Wilson College where I studied equine management and received a four year Bachelor of Science degree in that field. I continued to compete in eventing through college and was also a working student for Olympic Veteran, Phyllis Dawson. I also worked at a racehorse barn where I learned how to gallop racehorses in training as well as learning various medical and veterinary techniques such as all types of bandaging and advanced leg care for horses in strenuous work.

After college, I then moved to North Carolina where I was the resident trainer for an eventing barn. I helped manage the 30 horse facility as well as taught many lessons for beginner through advanced level riders in addition to exercising horses as well as competing my own and some for other people. I competed throughout the southeast on two upper level horses as well as a young horse that I started and trained for eventing.

In 2006, I relocated to Montana where I now manage the Gallatin River Ranch Equestrian Center and I am currently teaching lessons and exercising and training horses at the ranch. I am competing my 8 year old Irish Sport Horse throughout the northwest and have most recently qualified for National Championships which will be held in September 2007.

GALLATIN RIVER RANCH EQUINE CENTER - MANHATTAN, MONTANA - 406-284-3782