Michele is a full time trainer and instructor at By Chance Farm. Sixteen years as a Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager allowed her to build By Chance Farm into the business it is today. During her time in corporate, she taught and trained part time and on weekends. Having ridden most of her life, it has been a blessing to be able to enjoy the sport that was once a hobby, now as a successful career teaching both riders and horses.

Michele spent most of her riding career eventing through the Preliminary level on multiple horses, taking two to USEA Year End Awards and Area II Championships. Michele and her first horse Equinox were the 1995 Area II Junior Novice Champions and finished the year as one of the Top Ten USEA Junior Novice riders. In 2003, Michele started focusing on dressage a bit more, earning scores toward her USDF Bronze medal and finishing the year at the USDF Region 1 Championships at first and second level as well as the BLM Championships where she and Derby were the First Level Champions. In 2006, Michele took Lady in Red, an unlikely event horse with a huge heart, from Novice to Preliminary, finishing the year as the Area II Training Level Champion and making the USEA Top Ten list for Training level.

In 2011, Michele received her USDF Bronze medal after finally having an opportunity to show at Third level dressage. A huge thanks goes to Shari Glickman (Goodness Ridge Farm) and her wonderful (now deceased) mare Baronessa, who enabled Michele to accomplish this milestone. Shari and Michele have been friends for over 20 years always helping each other when needed.

Another key figure throughout Michele (and Charlene’s) life and major influence on Michele’s riding is Hank Hutson. Hank and Michele worked together for 9 years before Michele and her mom purchased By Chance Farm. Hank was instrumental in helping Michele develop a solid riding foundation which contributed to the successes she has had.

In 2014, Michele began training with Janna Dyer of Dark Horse Dressage. Janna has coached her through earning her USDF Silver Medal in 2015 and they are now working toward the Grand Prix. Michele continues to work with Janna regularly on both young and FEI horses. Janna’s influence has enabled Michele to train both horse and rider with a greater attention to detail and increased success.