About Us

Sheila, a Colorado native, has had a lifelong journey with horses that began on her family's ranch in Calhan, CO. From an early age, she cultivated a strong bond with performance and racehorses. She honed her skills in western disciplines at renowned ranches, such as the famous T Cross in Colorado & the Bell Ranch in New Mexico, she also competed in events like reining, working cow horse, and barrel racing. As a teenager, she ventured into race riding, gaining invaluable experience in horsemanship and care.

Throughout her formative years, Sheila trained and worked alongside esteemed western and English professionals, including Marlene Edelman, Louis Plagge, Sis Steffan, and Bub Poplin. These experiences shaped her into a versatile and accomplished equestrian. After high school, Sheila successfully balanced raising a family with a career in the show and rodeo circuits, coaching her daughter to multiple victories, including the Area IX Championships, while enhancing her own expertise.

Today, Sheila owns and operates Fox Lane Farm ES and The Riding Academy of GJ in Grand Junction, where she dedicates herself to teaching riders of all levels. She is passionate about educating the next generation in the sport horse industry, emphasizing rigorous horsemanship and fostering deep, meaningful relationships between horses and riders.

With nearly 50 years of experience in riding, training, and competing, Sheila's journey has evolved from her early days as a working cowgirl through various competitive arenas, including LBRA, PRCA, 4H, and AQHA, to her more recent transition into hunter jumpers and eventing. Her unique perspective allows her to tailor her training methods to meet the needs of both horses and riders, ensuring a comprehensive and well-rounded approach.

For over 30 years, Sheila has been a devoted equestrian educator, developing The Infinite Core—a holistic curriculum that combines horsemanship with essential life skills. Her mission is to equip students with a “toolbox” for success, helping them thrive both inside and outside the equestrian community.

Outside of her equestrian endeavors, Sheila is also a professional photographer and graphic designer, and she enjoys working part-time as a substitute teacher. A lover of classic and retro films, she spends her free time exploring the rich history of cinema. Sheila is a proud mother to a daughter pursuing a master’s degree in forensic science and a grandmother to an honor student. Both her daughter and granddaughter share her passion for horses, competing as amateur riders and continuing the family's tradition of excellence in the equestrian world.