ABOUT MARIA SMITH
Owner & Trainer at UofEA
Maria has had a diverse 35+ year career that's touched almost every part of the horse industry including, training horses & riders, rehabilitating problem horses, colt starting, competition, breeding, natural hoof trimming, saddle fitting, equine body work, and equine assisted coaching & leadership development.
Although she was competing with horses at the national level in her 20’s and early 30’s, Maria’s career has mostly been centered around helping struggling, frustrated riders & horses to find harmony and achieve their goals.
In addition to a lifetime of building equestrian skills, Maria trained extensively in martial arts. This lead her to a deep personal understanding of the fact that you can't separate the mind, emotions, body, and energy... and if you neglect ANY of them, ALL of them will suffer. Extraordinary results require whole solutions.
That wisdom & perspective gave her insights that aren't often taught in the very "mechanical" horse world, and it became the foundation for the horsemanship that she teaches.
Her goal now is to share what she's learned about the alchemy of horsemanship to help both people and horses find more joy and success in what they do.
THE MISSION
Of University of Equestrian Arts
Is to be a trusted resource for heart-centered, evidence-based training that applies to ALL horses & riders and can be used to improve the results of any training program.
The curriculum is built on the UNIVERSAL TRUTHS of horsemanship that come from science and the laws of nature around the way bodies and minds work. This allows us to consistently get excellent results with the least effort. People often comment on how much of it is common sense, which makes it a very user-friendly program.
More than anything, University of Equestrian Arts is here to help spread game-changing knowledge & inspiration, so that more people are able to break away from an age old system based on dominating horses, and experience the magic of a truly connected partnership."
WHY UNIVERSITY OF EQUESTRIAN ARTS?
BASED ON UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES
Know that what we teach will support any goals you have on any type of horse in any riding discipline.
HEART-CENTERED, INTELLIGENT METHODS
Our training philosophy is based on kindness, respect, communication, connection, motivational psychology, and healthy athletic movement.
LEADING EDGE INFORMATION
We won't frustrate you & your horse by teaching you things that don't work just because that's the way everyone else does it.
SOUND, ATHLETIC, FREE-MOVING HORSES
By removing fear and mechanical force from training, a horse's body is able to thrive, stay sound, and perform optimally.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...
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