About Candee

 I am a freelance riding instructor that travels the north Atlanta area teaching and training both children and adults.  I have been teaching since I developed a passion for it in Pony Club when I was 16.  I love my job and hope that comes through in my teaching and training.  Nothing pleases me more than when I see a student "get it" or have that "a-ha!" moment. Then I know I'm doing my job. 

I am a graduate HA Pony Clubber from the Sunshine Region in Florida. I grew up riding with National Examiner, Janet McCune and her husband, jumper course designer, Robert McCune.  Under their instruction, I competed in hunters, jumpers and equitation, as well as competed through Training level eventing.   I earned by B.S. Degree in Equestrian Studies and Business Admin. from Averett University in Danville, Virginia.  After college, I became excited about dressage and entered into a working student program with dressage trainer, Lisa Kulski.  There, I furthered my education by riding horses of all levels and honing my teaching skills. After leaving Vermont, I worked as an Assistant Trainer for Hunter/Jumper rider Pat Sikorra.  I helped grow the lesson program and coached students at the local schooling shows.  After a few years, it was time to break out on my own.  With the help of my family, Letter Perfect Stables was born in 1996.  It was a full service riding and training facility with a 21 stall capacity.  My students, many of them Pony Clubbers, competed at local dressage, h/j schooling shows and combined training events.  I also had the opportunity to work with USDF Certified Instructor, Jean White.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to train with her and on my horse, as well as a fabulous schoolmaster she had at her facility. I learned so much!  In 2003, we decided to move on to where I really wanted to be.  We sold the farm and moved to Georgia.

After a short hiatus, I began teaching for Tawn Edwards at Willow South in Alpharetta.  I worked for Tawn for 7 years while also cultivating a clientele of my own.  While there, I was able to gain vast experience teaching.  I believe my time there gave me the insight I needed to become the instructor I am today. 


For many years I worked with USDF Certified Instructor, Barbara Handley.  Barbara has been a great teacher, friend and mentor.  She has helped me with numerous horses  and I can't thank her enough for her patience and expertise. I have had the opportunity to do clinics with top riders and trainers: Conrad Schumacher & Betsy Steiner; and most recently Dr.Gerd Heuschmann. With their tools, I strive to be a better rider than I was yesterday. 

My teaching style puts focus on the correct biomechanics of the horse, as well as the rider. A correctly developed horse takes dedication from its rider. There are no shortcuts.  The horse's well-being should always take priority. 

A new avenue I have begun exploring is Working Equitation. I look forward to seeing where this new adventure may take me!


My current mount is Drogon, a locally bred registered Friesian Sporthorse. He has three lovely gaits and is as smart as he is sassy!

As a rider and instructor, I know that I am never finished learning!  I participate and audit as many clinics as I can so I may continue to further my education.  The more I learn, the more I can pass on to my students.