2025 Invitational Colt Starting Competiton

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Andrea’s journey into the world of horsemanship began in California, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Equine and Ranch Management. She quickly immersed herself in the craft, learning from accomplished trainers while refining her skills and developing her own unique training philosophy. In 2020, Andrea started a full-time training business, specializing in starting young horses and laying the foundation for their future success.

Today, Andrea is working as an assistant trainer under a respected reined cowhorse trainer, deepening her expertise and expanding her reach into the show world. Her commitment to the equine industry goes beyond training—she aims to provide every horse with a thoughtful, balanced education that nurtures both their mental and physical development for long-term success.

Having competed in colt starting competitions herself, Andrea is dedicated to setting a positive example for others in the industry, especially aspiring trainers who are passionate about working with young horses. Her mission is to inspire others to approach training with integrity, patience, and a deep respect for the animals they work with.

 Ashley Madison, head trainer at Yellow Wood Dressage, began her equestrian journey at age five in Sebago, Maine. She earned her USDF Bronze medal with her Paint horse, Ace of Spades, under Tanya Rennie’s guidance and gained experience with FEI horses while working for Olympian Tina Konyot. After purchasing Lugano, a four-year-old Rheinlander gelding, in 2004, she moved to Maryland to join Scott and Susanne Hassler at Hilltop Farm, progressing from barn management to training and teaching. Ashley earned her USDF Gold medal with Lugano and trained five horses to the Grand Prix level. In 2015, she founded Yellow Wood Dressage, where her creative methods include cavaletti, jumping, hacking, and groundwork. Ashley also excels in starting colts for both Western and English disciplines, tailoring her approach to build a strong foundation and confidence in young horses. 

Born on Long Island, NY as a 2nd generation horseman, Cliff began his career riding hunter and jumper horses. His future as a cowboy was set after receiving his first cowboy hat as a young boy. The dream he worked toward and realized at 18 when he moved to Oregon to pursue life working on ranches and learning the cowboy way of life. He continued this path across the United States and back and refined his abilities starting and developing young horses, working ranches, and developing skills as a clinician. Now located in Ocala, FL, Cliff focuses on developing horses for anywhere from the ranch to the Grand Prix. Drawing on experiences with horseman such as Martin Black, Craig Cameron, and Pat Parelli, Cliff has built a solid program that tailors to fit horses and humans of any age, discipline, and skill level. 

Cliff's core belief is that when we make a horse feel safe and confident, we can build a solid foundation to ensure success for the rest of the horse's career. 

"Rhythm creates Relaxation, Rhythm and Relaxation together create Understanding"

 Matt Robertson has a horse training business, alongside his wife Paige, in Prescott, AZ focusing on colt starting and problem horses. The forty-five year old horseman was born and raised in Wyoming where ranching, horsemanship and rodeo filled his youth.  Matt found a love for riding bucking horses at a young age, sparking a career that evolved through highschool and the PRCA, into ranch bronc riding until recent years.  As a young teen starting colts to pay entry fees, Matt was introduced to Ray Hunt's method of horsemanship, planting the seed of what would grow into a lifelong career.  His evolving approach to horsemanship has been a journey of self discovery and exploration, gaining an understanding of how the horse's mind and body work, to create a confident and reliable partnership.  Matt's journey has taken him from Alberta to Arizona starting colts, cowboying and playing music.