I am a USDF Certified Instructor Training through Fourth Level, and a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist.   I am also a faculty member for the USDF Instructor Certification Program which allows me to serve as an instructor for the Certification Workshops.   I live in Carrboro, NC and I teach and train out of a variety of different barns in the Chapel Hill, Durham, Rougemont area.  Occasionally I travel out of state to teach clinics and workshops.  I enjoy working with all types of horses and riders at all levels.   If you are willing to learn than I will do my best to teach you.   My personal horse, Foreigner, who I've owned since he was 2 1/2 yr. old, is currently training and competing at the FEI level.  My most recent venture is training and showing sport ponies.  Sweet Rock Solid (a.k.a. Stibby), owned by Louise Rascoe, is an imported German Riding Pony stallion, who I have had the pleasure of training since his importation in 2006.  For more info about Stibby go to www.longviewfarm.us.  My mission with ponies is to promote them as competitive mounts not just for junior riders but for petite adults as well.  

My philosophy, as a rider and trainer, is that "anything forced and misunderstood can never be beautiful".  Therefore, I am a staunch believer that a rider's seat and position is foremost.  As a rider learns to become a more effective rider he or she is able to produce a quiet, supple, and obedient horse.  Whether your goal is dressage, jumping, or pleasure riding, the end result each day should be a pleasant ride for horse and rider.

To name a few trainers who have played a very important role in who I am today as a rider and trainer I would mention Spencer and Lalla Brewster, Karl Mikolka, Cindy Sydnor, Betsy Steiner, and Paul Belasik.  I have ridden in clinics with several other well known and successful trainers.  Never forgetting all the students and horses who I have had the pleasure of working with over the past years who have taught me lessons on a daily basis.

Bailey Cook