Michelle Gilles

From an early age Michelle Gilles always spent her time surrounded by horses and dogs. It was like she was born to communicate with them. Her life has been spent in wide open spaces and on the back of some of the most rugged of horses. She is most comfortable in the dirt getting a connection with the horses she works and spends countless hours just trying to be better for each horse she meets.

Michelle was one of the pioneers for women in Colt Starting USA competitions, she has had success in mustang competitions, colt starting, NRCHA, AQHA, and with problem horses. These experiences have led her to build her confidence in riding program helping other horsewomen through her “Ride Like A Girl” clinics. She held her first clinic in 2006 in west Texas and they continued to grow into her Learn Body Control for Safety Clinics and workshops so she could include more riders!

Her mentors include Legendary Cow Horse trainers Les Vogt and Lynn Anderson. She spent years working under Charles Wilhelm perfecting her western dressage and equitation background. She spent time learning from world renowned Bridle Horseman CI Humphries and to this day she will spend countless hours learning from her Idols such as John Ward, Bob Vila, and other industry greats!

With clients across the United States Michelle is known for helping fix the worst behavior issues, never being one to let the horses actions intimidate her she starts with a clean slate as to build a solid foundations on every horse she works. She has the ability to see each individual horse and assess what will help bring them to their full potential. Offering the Ultimate Foundation Colt Starting, performance horse training in the areas of AQHA, NRCHA, ranch versatility, wild mustang handling and training, building relationships with problem horses, western dressage, cow work, and rodeo queens. Michelle also grew up in a family who spent time on the weekends rodeoing and successfully coached her kids through Jr and High School Rodeo so she has a strong background with barrel and break-away roping.