Meet the Team at Your Expert Fitter
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Riding Righteous Babe
Owner and Head Fitter, Tasida Kiley
Look, you are after the meaty bits of who I am and if I'm qualified to help your horse, so let's just get to it. 40+ years an equestrian with a passion for improving soundness through correct riding. As a rider, I've learned from some stellar legends, gone full nerdy into biomechanics, went to podiatry school and shod my own horses for nearly 20 years, and I've always been the person who has the audacity to march up to anyone with knowledge and made friends. I'm invigorated by innovation and comforted by the scientific process, and yes, I do realize that makes me a card carrying nerd.
I had a great time in my 20's and 30's repairing the "NQR horse" from backyard pets to CDI horses that lost performance using a combination of classical dressage principles and science backed biomechanics. Autoimmune disease prevents me from being a professional trainer any longer, but in life's setbacks sometimes are amazing opportunities.
Now, instead of fixing one or two horses a month, I help 3-5 in a day, and help between 800-1000 horses a year! I'm Society of Master Saddlers trained, on track for my QSF, which is one of the most prestigious titles to hold as a saddle fitter. I attend more continuing education than is probably considered socially acceptable, and at any given time can be immersed in new product development with multiple brands that improves the lives of horses and riders. I've had a lot of fun helping underrepresented European brands break into the US market, and as a result you may find a lack of well known brands in our store, but rest assured they do not skimp on quality or luxury.
I also love giving back to the equestrian community and frequently can be spotted teaching tack fitting to universities, pony clubs and private group member organizations
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Assistant, Bridle & Bit Fitter, Lisa Mayhew
As a lifelong rider, I discovered classical dressage 13 years ago and haven’t looked back! I switched from a handsome TWH and trails, to a Lusitano/Andalusian and Working Equitation. I have had opportunities to learn from some of the masters of both classical training and international working equitation. Together, with my gelding Macondo, we do Working Equitation in both western and baroque attire, and are giving western dressage a go, plus jump at the opportunities whenever we can to work cows! I am a self-proclaimed leather ‘ho’ and love fitting quality bridles for horses and making sure bits are right and that the horse is happy. I am SMS trained in bridle fitting and pursuing my full certification through the society to be the first and only certified in North Carolina! I am also a certified Masterson body worker and work regularly with an osteopath so I can bring a biomechanical perspective to the bridle/bit fitting experience.
As a lifelong rider, I discovered classical dressage 13 years ago and haven’t looked back! I switched from a handsome TWH and trails, to a Lusitano/Andalusian and Working Equitation. I have had opportunities to learn from some of the masters of both classical training and international working equitation. Together, with my gelding Macondo, we do Working Equitation in both western and baroque attire, and are giving western dressage a go, plus jump at the opportunities whenever we can to work cows! I am a self-proclaimed leather ‘ho’ and love fitting quality bridles for horses and making sure bits are right and that the horse is happy. I am SMS trained in bridle fitting and pursuing my full certification through the society to be the first and only certified in North Carolina! I am also a certified Masterson body worker and work regularly with an osteopath so I can bring a biomechanical perspective to the bridle/bit fitting experience.
We love and accept all breeds and all disciplines. We work with mules and gaited too! Here's some fun pictures from Tasida's lifetime with horses, and span across many different styles. Growing up and exposed to top trainers with 5 gaited saddlebreds with Ray Pittman, and the Wheatley family for Western Pleasure, training polo ponies for Anheuser Busch, and performing with the Royal Lipizzaner stallions, one thing is for certain, every breed and discipline has positivity to gain when you understand it properly. We are here to enhance your relationship through great fitting tack.