Where I Came From
My name is Maple Brooks.
I grew up riding in Traverse City, MI, begging my parents for my own horse (to no avail). I then played 4 years of Polo at the University of Michigan. Such a joy!
I moved to Kansas City, Missouri to be a teacher, and I worked in urban education for a decade. I taught 8th English Language Arts and then coached teachers who needed support.
I rode during this time, and started training under Stella Pettid, a regional and national Amateur Grand Champion in Arabian and Andalusian Western, Hunter, Show Hack, and Showmanship divisions. Talk about learning a lot!!
During COVID, I moved back to Traverse City and started training with Horse North Rescue- giving horses the skills they needed to be adopted. Being the person to help each horse be calm, confident, and happy, was such meaningful work, and I knew that I needed to continue it.
I left urban education because of how deeply I loved working with horses and their people, as well as to start doing some much needed self-healing.
It’s been an honor to use my skills from the educational world in working with over 250 riders and horse owners.
I was a full time equine instructor and trainer in Kansas City for two years before my husband and I moved to Grand Rapids in 2023.
Where I am now
I currently teach beginner through advanced riding lessons at River Ridge at White Barn in Ada, and train and teach at private homes throughout the area.
The property at White Barn is stunning. Our five mares are full of personality and love. Our human community is small and vibrant. We care deeply for our horses and each other, and I am honored to be a part of it.
I specialize in teaching Dressage and Hunter/Jumper. I use Centered Riding techniques for teaching riders how to foundationally use their bodies and breath. I use Dressage standards for teaching riders how to help their horses foundationally use their bodies.
As someone who has struggled to understand how to use my body in a balanced way that helps my horse and reduces my own pain, I focus much of my feedback on horse and rider biomechanics.
Although I specialize in these English disciplines, I believe that good riding is good riding- whatever type of saddle or lack of one you want to use, with a bit or bridle or not.
