Young Trainer Profile
Thursday, April 24, 2003
Ashley Isenhower “Dedicated, Talented, Honest, Organized and Fun-Loving”
Twenty-six year-old Ashley Isenhower, of Premier Stables, began riding at the age of eight when her parents took her to a barbecue at Flying V Farms. “There was a booth for riding lessons and I asked if I could take a lesson or two with Lynn McCallister. My parents made the mistake of saying yes. Eighteen years later here I am, still riding.” Isenhower said. Some trainers have always known that this is what they wanted to do with their life for Isenhower the decision came during high school. “I knew I wanted to do this when I was about 14 or 15 years old, a freshman in high school.”
Some of the people who have most influenced Isenhower in her career have been; Lynn McCallister, Paul Boone, Rob and Sarah Beyers, and her parents who “have always stood by me and supported me.” Ashley describes starting and working with young horses as her favorite part of her job. “To see them learn something that you have worked so hard to teach them is very satisfying. I just enjoy working around such beautiful and talented show horses every day.”
Ashley describes owning and showing Moonchance to two Reserve World’s Championships in the ladies five-gaited division as one of the highlights of her career. Also a highlight in Ashley’s mind was “having Laguardia win two Reserve World Championships with Barrett Clifton” when she worked him. Some of the horses Ashley has had “the privilege of working with” are; Coconut Grove, Laguardia, Win Your Heart, Callaway’s Buttons And Bows, Worthy Am I, The Rose Lady, Diamond’s Lady Ariel, Sleepless In New York swept Away, Boucheron, Boo, Americana’s Jazzman, X’s And O’s and My Front Page Lady, just to name a few.
Ashley says she trains horses “because seeing a horse and rider that you work with come together and be successful is very self-fulfilling. It’s also just very interesting and a huge challenge.” In ten years or so Ashley hopes to own and operate her own farm but mainly be healthy, happy and successful at what she does.
The future looks bright for Ashley and she seems to be well on her way of accomplishing her goals of being “honest and successful and to be remembered as someone who contributed in a positive way to the horse business. And of course to win a few World’s Championships!”
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