Jan Snodgrass
TTEAM/TTouch Practitioner 2
Jan Snodgrass’ first important instructor in her quest to become a horse trainer came when she was 14 years old in the form of her first horse, a 17-hand four year-old thoroughbred off the track. The two quickly developed a rapport and were soon competing in "A" rated hunter shows. Later, with another thoroughbred, Jan jumped from the hunter ring to the exciting sport of eventing. She quickly climbed the levels and competed in her first 3-day event in 1983.
Her equine assisted learning eventually led her on a journey to rehabilitate another thoroughbred, this one suffering from back and metabolic problems. Luckily she found TTEAM-Linda Tellington-Jones’ revolutionary method of training and healing horses. Jan quickly realized she had found what she had been looking for-a method of training that has at it’s foundation, a deep respect for the spirit and intelligence of the horse. Jan completed her first week-long training with Linda in 1990. To date, she has completed over 18 week-long TTEAM trainings. Jan has put this training to use with her own horses and an extensive list of client’s horses in one-on-one sessions as well as in clinics and demonstrations.
Never idle, Jan has continued eventing, bringing several horses along, most notably, Harry Who?, A Thoroughbred/Cleveland Bay gelding she competed at the advanced level. Her experience riding Harry at the 1996 Fair Hill *** 3-Day event is recorded in GaWaNi Ponyboy’s book "Of Woman and Horses." It is her strong relationship with Harry that has led her to take the TTEAM bridleless riding and develop it into a bridleless jumping exhibition to music with Harry. Jan and Harry have performed at the 2001, 2002 and 2003 Horse World Expo in Timonium, MD, the 2004 Horse World Expo in Harrisburg, PA, the 2005 and 2006 Equine Extravaganza in Richmond, Virginia, the 2000 International Centered Riding Symposium, the 2000 and 2001 Cleveland Bay Affaire and at polo games and horse shows in Virginia.
For several years, Jan used her journalism degree to write and publish, a small newsletter called, "The Goodpony Journal." After discontinuing the newsletter several years ago she began developing this web site. She now has other writing projects in her sights.
Jan is also an avid supporter of a Virginia humane organization, "The Middleburg Humane Foundation." She has helped foster, train and care for several animals rescued by the organization including Buttercup an abused mini mule whom she now owns. Her deep empathy for these animals has made her an outspoken supporter of the humane care of all equids.
Though she will always see the horses as her most important instructors, Jan credits her human teachers as well. In addition to Linda Tellington-Jones, Jan sites Gabor Foltenyi, Jimmy Wofford, Karen O‘Connor, Denny Emerson, Peggy Cummings, Wendy Murdoch, and Katy Browne Masek, as the most influential. A perpetual student, Jan not only continues taking riding lessons but is on a constant quest to learn more about her equine friends. Her recent studies into liberty training with California based trainer, Carolyn Resnick, has given Jan many new tools in her training "tool box."
Jan resides at her Lightheart Farm in northern Virginia where she rides and trains.
