Biography of Laurie Ann Salmi

Laurie and Mikala Gundersen, Danish team rider...and wonderful instructor!

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.

Currently Trixie is starting a new career in western pleasure with Dale Brown while Laurie focuses on her students in Florida.  Laurie and Trixie have added a regional title in Western Sidesaddle!

Laurie continues to lesson and clinic with other trainers in several disciplines.  She strives to develop her knowledge base so that she can provide the best possible educational experience to her students and training horses.

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, Horseman of Merit, First and Second level Rider from USDF.

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.