Learn more about the staff at the Big bear equestrian center
Suzanne Hodges:
Suzanne has owned horses since 1990, riding her Arabian along the trails and creekbeds of Murrieta, but became a student of the horse in 2006 while starting her first colt. She began seeking more in-depth knowledge in the Vaquero/Old Californio tradition, attending annual horsemanship and cow working clinics over the past decade, and discovered that working with horses can teach everyone something about themselves. She began starting colts professionally in 2010 and teaching lessons in 2011. She is a certified PATH International Advanced Instructor and founder of EQUU8 Horsemanship and Therapeutic Riding.
Suzanne has owned horses since 1990, riding her Arabian along the trails and creekbeds of Murrieta, but became a student of the horse in 2006 while starting her first colt. She began seeking more in-depth knowledge in the Vaquero/Old Californio tradition, attending annual horsemanship and cow working clinics over the past decade, and discovered that working with horses can teach everyone something about themselves. She began starting colts professionally in 2010 and teaching lessons in 2011. She is a certified PATH International Advanced Instructor and founder of EQUU8 Horsemanship and Therapeutic Riding.
Sierra Moreno:
Sierra Moreno began her journey with horsemanship at UC Santa Barbara in 2011 when she was asked to spend time with a mustang who needed his confidence in people to be restored. After graduating UCSB in the Spring of 2012, she followed her dream of working with horses to Gabriela Ranch, where she spent 3 months horseback riding in the Mountains of Datil, New Mexico. During the Spring and Summer of 2013, Sierra worked as an intern at the Palomar Christian Conference Center in San Diego. As a Wrangler, she led trail rides for weekend guests and taught introductory riding and vaulting lessons to campers ages 8-14 during the week. Sierra then moved to Big Bear where she met Suzanne Hodges in June 2014. She began volunteering for EQUU8 Horsemanship and Therapeutic Riding and taking riding lessons from Suzanne. Under Suzanne’s guidance and mentorship, Sierra received her PATH Intl. Registered Riding Instructor Certification in July 2016. She plans to become certified as a PATH Intl. Vaulting Instructor and has long term goals of becoming a Master Level Riding Instructor. Among many other things, Sierra especially wants to learn to start Mustangs and work with Military Veterans, Police Officers, Firefighters and Survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, whose lives have been affected by PTSD.
Sierra Moreno began her journey with horsemanship at UC Santa Barbara in 2011 when she was asked to spend time with a mustang who needed his confidence in people to be restored. After graduating UCSB in the Spring of 2012, she followed her dream of working with horses to Gabriela Ranch, where she spent 3 months horseback riding in the Mountains of Datil, New Mexico. During the Spring and Summer of 2013, Sierra worked as an intern at the Palomar Christian Conference Center in San Diego. As a Wrangler, she led trail rides for weekend guests and taught introductory riding and vaulting lessons to campers ages 8-14 during the week. Sierra then moved to Big Bear where she met Suzanne Hodges in June 2014. She began volunteering for EQUU8 Horsemanship and Therapeutic Riding and taking riding lessons from Suzanne. Under Suzanne’s guidance and mentorship, Sierra received her PATH Intl. Registered Riding Instructor Certification in July 2016. She plans to become certified as a PATH Intl. Vaulting Instructor and has long term goals of becoming a Master Level Riding Instructor. Among many other things, Sierra especially wants to learn to start Mustangs and work with Military Veterans, Police Officers, Firefighters and Survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, whose lives have been affected by PTSD.
Hailey Christiansen:
With a passion for teaching the newest generations, Hailey is taking the reins on our "Young Riders" program (ages 4-10). Hailey has owned horses since 2006 and credits her horse Lippy with helping her recover and heal after suffering a traumatic brain injury.
In 2014, Hailey began studying "natural horsemanship," attending clinics to advance her skills in equitation and horsemanship and developed a better relationship with her horse Quincy through the process.
As a PATH Certified therapeutic riding instructor, Hailey teaches small groups of riders of all ages with special needs for EQUU8.
With a passion for teaching the newest generations, Hailey is taking the reins on our "Young Riders" program (ages 4-10). Hailey has owned horses since 2006 and credits her horse Lippy with helping her recover and heal after suffering a traumatic brain injury.
In 2014, Hailey began studying "natural horsemanship," attending clinics to advance her skills in equitation and horsemanship and developed a better relationship with her horse Quincy through the process.
As a PATH Certified therapeutic riding instructor, Hailey teaches small groups of riders of all ages with special needs for EQUU8.