Ashley Donadt explains her training philosophy with horses and students—to create a positive and relaxed relationship. If there is fear or stress, it takes away from the beautiful, harmonious partnership between horse and rider, she says. Additionally, she explains that good horsemanship centers on listening and understanding the horse.

Ashley is an FEI dressage rider and USDF bronze and silver medalist with distinction. Along with husband/head groom Evan Donadt, she is based out of Donadt Dressage in San Diego, California. Before starting her own business in 2017, she previously worked for David Blake and his wife, Rebecca Rigdon, as well as Elizabeth Ball. Since 2019, she has been training with three-time Olympic medalist Guenter Seidel. She also has trained with FEI Dressage World Cup rider AnnA Buffini and debuted at Grand Prix on Buffini’s schoolmaster Sundayboy.