Kaitlyn Dirkschneider
 
 
 
Kaitlyn is Cortaro Equestrians lead instructor. 
Kaitlyn  has vast experience riding, training, and showing horses.  Her experience covers a wide range of disciplines to include Ranch riding, Ranch Trail, Showmanship, Western Pleasure, Reining, Trail, Gymkhana, Roping, English Flat Classes, Jumping, and Cross Country Jumping.  

Kaitlyn has had many accomplishments in the world of showing.  She was extremely successful in her 4H career, earning many state champion buckles on her self trained horses in English, Western, Jumping, and Roping.  She continued to improve and her career has been highlighted by reserve champion in the last Arizona Mustang makeover and earning the National Champion in Versatility Ranch Horse.  
Kaitlyn currently trains and shows in Ranch riding, Ranch trail, Ranch on the rail, reining, and ranch horse versatility. She has multiple circuit championships as well as class wins at the open level in AHQA show circuit. 
Kaitlyn holds an Equestrian Science degree from the University of Arizona, as well as "C2" certifications in both English and Western and a B in horse management, through the United States Pony Club.  Her horse ownership and care along with Pony Club Horse Management teachings give her an exceptional base of equine knowledge.  Her accomplishments have been achieved through training of her own horses and she is ready to pass that experience along to a new generation of riders.
Kaitlyn enjoys being able to work with horses and people and help them reach their full potential. She loves teaching all aspects of the equine industry from horse care to showing at the highest level. Her goal is to be able to  help every rider experience the partnership between a horse and rider. Kaitlyn has a unique skill with youth that allows  them the freedom to explore and learn, yet she expects and receives their respect.  
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Mary Finlayson
A Mary has been involved in the horse industry for over 40 years. Mary went to the university of findlay where she competed on their collegiate equestrian team. Mary has been teaching for over 10 years and is a passionate and patient riding instructor dedicated to helping riders of all levels build confidence, skill, ad a deep bond with thier horse. 
Jessica Bailey 
Growing up around horses Jessica developed a lifelong love for the equestrian sport and has since started passing her love on to the next up and coming riders. Jessica competes in Eventing and has expanded into the western disciplines in the last few years. Jessica holds a C1 certification in pony club and is committed to continuing education and  the best practices in horsemanship and rider development. 
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Lesson Horses:
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Zeke:  What can I say about Zeke.  Zeke is where it all started.  Zeke was Kaitlyn's first horse to train and show successfully.  Zeke is unflappable.  He has provided confidence and taken many riders from their start to upper levels throughout the years.  At 23, he is still going!  Not quite a strong as in years past, but still a huge part of our program.  Zeke excels in English and Western flat classes.   ​
Lucy: Lucy is a beautiful bay quarter horse mare. In her past she has competed in Reining and Roping. Lcuy was exceptional in both disciplines. Lucy has exceptional ground manners and is a very safe and reliable mount. With her fine tuned skill set she has taught all levels of riders. Lucy loves all people but is not fond of other horses in her space. Recently Lucy has been busy creating the next generation on show horses. She will return to the leson program once her baby is weaned. 
Kahlua: Kahlua is a grulla quarter horse mare. Kaluha is one of our intermediate horses. She is kind and very safe but does a good job at challenging riders to teach them the next level of riding. Kaluha is very loving and loves to be brushed and groomed. Recently Kaluha has been busy creating the next generation on show horses. She will return to the lesson program once her baby is weaned. 
Bubba: Bubba is an older sorrel quarter horse gelding. Bubba competed as a rope horse in his younger years. BUbba is a kind and gentle as a horse can get. He is one of our beginner horses. He does a great job at teaching riders to be confident on the ground and in the saddle.
Bambi: Bambi is a bay dun quarter horse mare. Bambi spent years trail riding along the beaches of california as well as teaching kids at horse camps throughout the summers. Bambi has great ground manners and is kind under saddle. Bambi teaches both beginners and intermediate riders. She recognizes what level of rider is working with her and is patient and safe for beginners yet knows when to challenge a more experienced rider.  
Elmo: Elmo is a sorrel thoroughbred gelding. Elmo is an intermediate to advanced horse. he has exceptional ground manners and loves attention. He is predominantly an English and jumping horse but can also be ridden western. 
Aladar: Aladar is a sorrel warmblood gelding. He competed at the grand pre levels of show jumping in his younger years. Aladar is a beginner through advanced level lesson horse. He is ridden predominantly englihs but can be riden western as well. He is very kind and forgiving with beginner riders and has an advanced skill set to teach more experienced riders advanced skills. 
Rounder: Ronder is a sorrel gelding. Rounder has competed in just about ever discipline. He has shown in western, ranch versatility, English flat classes, eventing, and jumping. He is used for beginner through advanced lessons. HE is very kind, forgiving, and patient with beginners. He has a refined skill set that lets people learn at a higher level when they are ready. 
Argo: Argo is a red roan dun quarter horse gelding. Argo has shown in ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch on the rail, english and western. Argo is currently still showing. He is used for advanced lessons. He is show ready and teaches riders how ride at the higher levels. 
Emmy Lou: Emmy lou is a sorrel quarter horse mare. Emmy has competed in Reined cow horse, Ranch versatility, western events, and has even shown a little bit of english. She is used for advanced lessons as she has a very advanced skill set and can be a testing. She is a lovely mare who helps take riders to the next level. Recently Emmy has been busy creating the next generation on show horses. She will return to the lesson program once her baby is weaned. 
Harper: Harper is a sorrel gelding. Harper is used of beginner and intermediate lessons. arper does a bit of everything from jumping, english flat, western, to roping. Harper is a great at teaching confidence when riding. He is very kind and forgiving. His only quirk is that he doesn't like people touching his face. 
Valli: Valli is a grulla and white pinto qypsy vanner mare. Valli is used for intermediate and advanced lessons. She is sweet but can test riders. She teaches riders to be kind but assertive. 
Sage:  Sage is a sorrel quarter horse mare.  Kaitlyn started Sage at 2.  Sage has a mellow personality and performs well.  Sage excels in English, Western, and Ranch classes. Sage is used for advanced lessons. Sage is show ready and teaches riders how to preform at the next level when they are ready.
​Cash: Cash is a sorrel and white paint gelding. Cash has shown in just about everything. Cash is used for beginner lessons. He has a huge skill set but knows how to help riders gain confidence in the saddle. He is very good at teaching people how to communicate effectively with their horse. 
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