Christy Salmond

HEAD INSTRUCTOR

Christy Salmond has been riding for 12 years in Western and English disciplines and is the owner of C4 Ranch Equestrian. She has ridden under the instruction of Mark Burnette (Western), Holly Hillard (Dressage), Natasha Althoff (Dressage), Tony Schurmann (Western/English) and other equine professionals. Her qualifications and experience include:

• CPR Certified

• Safe Sport Certified

• 4-H Leader of the Geneva Horse Club

• Continuing education through the Equine Institute, working towards her Professional Riding Instructor Certification

• Equine Massage Certification

• Riding Instructor's Roles and Responsibilities Certification

• Equine Conformation and Selection for Performance Certification

• Understanding Equine Behavior Certification

• Bits, Saddle Fitting, and Hoof Conformation Certification

• Train for Competitive Trail Certification

• Mustang training

• English Instructor (Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, and Foundational Dressage Preparation)

• Western Instructor (Ranch Versatility, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, and Trail)

Tony Schurmann has over 20 years of riding experience in both Western and English disciplines. He has worked with well-known performance horse trainers and facilities; Tommy Sheets Show Horses; Leonard Show Horses; and, Red Hot Quarters Horses. His qulaifactions and experience includes:

• 15 years of experience judging Open Horse Shows

• AQHA Point Earner

• APHA Point Earner

• Extensive show experience; exhibiting in Open, Regional, National, and Congress Horse Shows

• Proven training and lesson programs that builds the rider and horse's confidence, setting them up for success

• Clinician

• Mustang training

• Assisted with AI and live breeding programs

• Managed adult and youth show teams

• English Instructor (Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, and Foundational Dressage Preparation)

• Western Instructor (Ranch Versatility, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, and Trail)

Azalynn Kirchner

WORKING STUDENT

Azalynn Kirchner has been riding with Christy since the fall of 2021 and has made leaps and bounds in her horsemanship skills. She loves to teach and being around the horses. Azalynn is a positive young lady and is a great asset to the program. Azalynn's accomplishments and experience includes:

• Qualified and competed at 4-H Southern Regionals 2022 and 2023 in Horsemanship; Western Trail; Ranch Trail; Ranch Ground Handling; and Ranch Riding. She placed 2nd out of 20 riders in Western Riding during the 2023 Southern 4-H Regional Horse Show.

• 2023 English High Point Winner for local show circuit

• Serves as the treasurer for the Geneva County 4-H Club

• Member of the Geneva County 4-H Horse Club