Chelsea Westra's riding journey started at 6 years old as a student of hunter/jumper trainer Katie Moriarty. She was a horse crazy kid who would ride anything she could get her hands on. Under Katie’s instruction, Chelsea learned proper riding basics and horsemanship and was ultimately inspired to become a professional.

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After riding hunters and jumpers for over 10 years, Chelsea made a switch to dressage. She decided to take dressage lessons to improve her jumping skills but soon realized dressage was where she belonged. Chelsea trained with Kim and Yvonne Barteau of KYB Dressage while attending Wheaton College and continued for an additional 2 years past graduation. There she gained experience riding a variety of horses, from unbroken youngsters to experienced schoolmasters. 

 

From there Chelsea went on to train with international competitor and German dressage trainer Christian Garweg. She increased her experience working with young and challenging horses and also learned the attention to detail needed to make a successful competitor. 

 

Chelsea continued her education while working for Olympic rider and coach Michael Barisone. Being in a unique environment surrounded by many successful FEI riders taught her that to be a dressage rider is to also be a lifelong student. 

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Chelsea has over 20 years horse experience. She has received her USDF Bronze and Silver Medal, qualified for the US Dressage Finals on multiple horses, and hopes to continue adding to her list of accomplishments. She believes working with horses of every level and temperament is crucial to becoming a successful rider. It is her passion to share her knowledge gained from her own journey as a horsewoman with others and their horses.

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Chelsea's continuing education also consists of lessons and clinics with a variety of trainers including: Alison Brock, Albrecht Heidemann, Bo Jena, Vera Kessels, Cathy Morelli, Michael Poulin, and Ariana Sakaris. She currently receives regular training from Justin Hardin to keep working toward her goal of becoming a Grand Prix rider and international competitor. Chelsea strives to consistently improve her own riding and horsemanship skills, so she can more effectively help horses and riders reach their goals.