About Stephanie

Stephanie grew up taking every opportunity she could to ride, take care of, or just simply be in the presence of horses, beginning with her first riding lesson at the age of four. Little did she know it was the beginning of a dream come true.

As a youth, Stephanie was a member of 4-H and the United States Pony Club where she participated at the local shows and county fairs with her Welsh cross pony, "Star." She has since owned an American Quarter Horse, a Missouri Fox Trotter, an Arabian and two National Show Horses. Stephanie competed through the Michigan Interscholastic Horse Association and Open circuits in Halter, Showmanship, Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle and Over Fences, Saddleseat Equitation, Saddleseat Pleasure, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Trail, Gymkhana, Dressage, Leadline and Bareback events.

Though Stephanie enjoyed competing in every class she entered, English events were her forte. Stephanie and PS Hit Parade carried their high school to the State Finals, winning Reserve High Point for the team.

Stephanie's plans of educating herself on horses continued when she decided to attend Michigan State University to pursue a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science and Agribusiness with a specialization in equine. She spent years riding on the MSU Equestrian Team, competed on the MSU Horse Judging Team and was an active member of the MSU Horseman's Association. While riding for MSU, Stephanie participated at the Regional Championships in the Advanced Stock Seat division. As a judging team member, she competed at the All American Quarter Horse Congress twice, the U.S. Arabian Horse Nationals twice (placing 3rd as an individual), the American Quarter Horse Association World Show, the Middle Tennessee State Intercollegiate Horse Judging Contest, and several Michigan State 4-H Jamborees and Quiz Bowls. Additionally, her internships were spent working at Michigan Equine Partnership, Horse's Haven and teaching youth riders at Innisfree Equestrian Center. Stephanie's independent study assignments involved hands-on training Arabian and Quarter Horse show prospects, as well courses focusing on equine exercise physiology research.

For another challenge, Stephanie took up purchasing a purebred yearling who she aspired to train and show herself while she completed her Master's degree. As the sole exhibitor, she and her two horses, "Casey" and "Entegrity", competed successfully in both the open and the amateur divisions of Saddleseat Equitation, Country English Pleasure, Hunter Seat Equitation, Hunter Pleasure, Sport Horse Under Saddle, Training through 4th Level Dressage, Sport Horse Show Hack, Halter and Sport Horse in Hand on the Class 'A' Arabian show circuit. The geldings also won numerous awards in Western Horsemanship and Western Pleasure at Arabian Horse Association Community Shows.

Stephanie's young gelding ultimately displayed an aptitude for dressage and the sport horse division. Throughout his career, Entegrity Bey++// has earned top rankings as USEF's Horse of the Year in Sport Horse, First, Second, Third and Fourth Level Dressage, multiple National Top Ten Titles, as well as winning over 30 Championships in the Dressage and Sport Horse Divisions at the Regional level. These accolades have allowed him to earn the Legion of Honor, Legion of Merit, Legion of Supreme Honor and Legion of Excellence through the Arabian Horse Association, as well as the USDF Horse Performance Awards at First, Second and Third Level Dressage. 

The next horse to join Hidden Star Arabians was Too Darn Hot RH+. Together, Stephanie and "Arte" have won multiple Reserve National Championship titles at National Show Horse Finals and have been named USEF's Reserve National Champion Horse of the Year in the NSH Hunter Pleasure division 6 times since 2014. The team has also taken home USEF Regional Horse of the Year Championships in Half-Arabian Halter, Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure Open and Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure Amateur. These accomplishments allowed Too Darn Hot RH+ to earn the Arabian Horse Association Legion of Honor.

The dream of judging and training horses continues for Stephanie and she prides herself on the various experiences that have contributed to her being a well rounded horseperson. As an amateur in the showring, Stephanie has been named the Arabian Horse Association's Rider of Honor, Rider of Supreme Honor, Horseman of Merit and Rider of Excellence. When she is not showing or judging, she keeps herself busy spending time with family, working in her full time career, and traveling. Stephanie values continuing education as an asset to improving herself and her ability to effectively understand the needs of her exhibitors, and regularly attends horse industry clinics and seminars.

For Stephanie and her family, horses have evolved into a passion. Named after her very special first pony, Hidden Star Arabians is where "Star" resides to graze on greener pastures. If there is anything we can offer you, do not hesitate to ask. 

Thank you!

Currently a member of these horse associations:

• AHA (Lifetime)
• USDF (Lifetime)
  
• USEF (Lifetime)
• AHAM
• NSHR
  
• MHSA
• MI 4-H
• MEP
• WMAHA
• MDA