Biography

Laurie Ann Salmi

Laurie began riding at the age of four years. Like most beginning students, Laurie started at a local stable in Southern California. Her first lesson horse, Bacon, was very patient as Laurie could not ride until he was groomed and saddled without assistance. Her lesson could not begin until she was mounted…again without assistance. So, from the get go, Laurie learned to take care of things on her own. This early education laid the foundation for her equestrian future.

Being the daughter of a navy pilot, moves from state to state were frequent. The first thing Laurie did after each move was find the closest riding academy and sign up for lessons. This enabled Laurie to learn from a large variety of instructor types and ride a variety of horses. Much to her chagrin, her early years were spent aboard stubborn ponies. However frustrating that was, the experience of riding ponies with their own agenda was valuable.

Laurie participated in Pony Club, 4H, and an Interschool riding program as a junior rider. These programs offered not only undersaddle education but practical education as well. Participants had to learn judging techniques, give speeches and attend lectures. Laurie was a state winner in the speech division. Most of Laurie’s junior years were spent in the hunter and equitation ring as well as some eventing. She continued competing hunters into adulthood traveling throughout California riding with Kimberly Prince. During all these years of riding and competing Laurie’s horses were never in training but kept at boarding stables ridden primarily by Laurie. Maintaining vet records, farrier schedules and scheduling lessons whenever possible were always the responsibility of Laurie. At one point, Laurie had three horses she was actively competing.

Roger, Liz and Me

In 1991, Laurie switched her equestrian direction and began riding Arabians working as a professional for Wendy Potts and Greg Gallun at Ventura Farms in California. It was at Ventura Farms where Laurie truly expanded her training abilities by learning a proven method for starting horses. Also while working for Wendy, Laurie helped coach many juniors and amateurs to regional and national titles in both performance and hunt seat equitation. Working alongside the halter barn, Laurie observed the superior abilities of Greg Gallun. His meticulous attention to detail and “the horse comes first” attitude left a lasting impression.

After college, Laurie regained her amateur status and returned to the amateur show ring. Earning numerous regional and national titles was a satisfying accomplishment. Keeping her horses ‘at home’ vs. ‘in training’ has always been Laurie’s goal. Her education with so many great instructors and trainers allowed her to ride and mostly train her own horses with occasional tune-ups from great professionals.

While with Mike Wilson, Laure had the opportunity to ride several halter horses that needed to earn performance points, including National Champion stallion The Agitator, and National Top Ten Reyfire Bey. Mike also allowed Laurie the opportunity to ride and show three wonderful hunters: National champion Sshameless Knight, regional top five Ashanti EF and national top ten, Allegra EF.

Ashanti EF

Laurie’s current mount, DA Cheap Thrills++++// was purchased from Dolorosa Arabians. Rob Bick and Caralyn Schroter felt the partnership would be a good one. Laurie and “Trixie” have earned championships in halter, hunter, western, sidesaddle, sport horse, and dressage. Together they have earned 4 national awards and 12 regional awards. Currently Trixie is competing at third level.

DA Cheap Thrills++++//

Laurie has competed in the following divisions both on a local level and rated level: hunters, equitation, jumpers, eventing, western pleasure, hunter pleasure, sidesaddle, costume, showhack, halter, dressage and sport horse. She has earned a Dover Amateur dressage Medal, Rider of Honor and Horseman of Merit.

Laurie has trained with and/or taken lessons/clinics with the following professionals:

Brian Sabo: eventing
Melinda Golis: eventing
Kimberly Prince: amateur hunters/jumpers/equitation
Elizabeth Vann: hunt seat equitation
Scott King: hunters/jumpers
Ann Kursinski: jumpers
John Zapatti: dressage
Heidi Ericksen: dressage
Claire Boeg: dressage and sidesaddle
Wendy and Gordon Potts: Arabian performance
Greg Gallun: Arabian halter
Rob Bick/Caralyn Schroter: Arabian performance/halter/sport horse
Mike Wilson: Arabian halter/performance/sport horse
Bill Melendez: Arabian performance/sport horse                                                                                                                                      Scott Hassler: Dressage

KB Baskilah+/

Laurie earned a BA in Liberal Arts from California Lutheran University with a minor in English.
She earned her California Teaching Credential from California State University, Northridge.
She holds three separate teaching certificates: California, Florida, ACSI.

Laurie’s broad background enables her to approach each client relationship with confidence and experience.