Meet the Swan River Lesson Team
OUR INSTRUCTORS
Our instructors work together to provide safe, supportive, and consistent instruction for riders of all ages and experience levels.
A Team Approach to Riding Instruction
At Swan River, riders are supported by a team of instructors who communicate, collaborate, and share a commitment to safety, horsemanship, confidence, and steady progress.
Samantha Cotter
LESSON PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Sam oversees the Swan River lesson program, including rider placement, scheduling, instructor communication, school horse assignments, and student progression. With years of hands-on experience as a horse owner, instructor, and equestrian program organizer, she brings both practical barn knowledge and a thoughtful, structured approach to rider development.
Sam is passionate about helping riders build confidence, safety, horsemanship, and strong foundations both in and out of the saddle. Her teaching focuses on clear communication, correct basics, and meeting each rider where they are while still giving them meaningful goals to work toward.
Outside of the lesson program, Sam is also involved in Mounted Patrol and enjoys developing horses and riders for real-world confidence, partnership, and growth.
Meet Our Instructors
Each instructor brings their own experience, personality, and strengths to the Swan River lesson program.
Meet Gina
Gina began teaching riding lessons as a teenager at a YMCA camp, where she quickly became known for her ability to explain concepts clearly—and for somehow being able to tell all eleven gray ponies apart. She later spent many years teaching dressage and jumping under the mentorship of a professional trainer before continuing her teaching career independently.
A former eventer with a strong foundation in dressage, Gina brings a well-rounded approach to rider and horse development. She believes in thoughtful cross-training and has developed a deep appreciation for the hunter, jumper, and equitation disciplines. Her specialty is helping riders build confidence, particularly those returning to riding after time away or working through nerves and anxiety in the saddle.
Gina owns two horses: Chip, a 22-year-old she has raised since birth and trained through Third Level dressage, and Iris, a Percheron/Quarter Horse cross. After suffering an injury as a foal, Iris became Gina's personal biomechanics project, and Gina has dedicated years to helping her develop strength, balance, and soundness through correct training.
Known for her patient, encouraging teaching style, Gina is passionate about creating a supportive learning environment where riders feel safe, challenged, and successful. She enjoys helping riders develop strong fundamentals, confidence, and meaningful partnerships with their horses, and is excited to share her knowledge and experience with the Swan River Stables community.
Meet Kellie
Kellie began riding at a local lesson barn at six years old and still remembers the horses and instructors who inspired her. Because of that, she understands how important "lesson day" is and shows up for her students excited and ready to make their time at the barn and in the saddle count.
For more than 20 years, Kellie has taught riders of all ages and experience levels. She trained under Olympian Jane Bartle-Wilson at the Yorkshire Riding Centre in England, where she completed British Horse Society certifications through Level 3.
Her career has taken her from a classical dressage apprenticeship in Portugal to working as an exercise rider at Belmont Park, serving as a rider and trainer for CANTER Kentucky, and retraining her own off-track Thoroughbred for eventing.
In addition to teaching, Kellie has volunteered with therapeutic riding programs and is the founder of At Liberty, an equine-assisted wellness program developed in partnership with This Old Horse. She is passionate about horse rescue and rehabilitation and currently shares her life with six rescue horses and a mini donkey.
Kellie believes the best lessons build confidence, partnership, and a lifelong love of horses—whether a rider is stepping into the saddle for the first time or pursuing competitive goals.
Meet Monica
Monica began riding in the second grade and has developed a well-rounded equestrian background through a variety of disciplines. She started in the western riding world, competing in western pleasure and enjoying trail riding and recreational jumping before eventually discovering a passion for eventing.
Throughout high school and college, Monica competed in eventing, including as a member of the University of Kentucky Eventing Team. During her collegiate career, she also competed on the Intercollegiate Dressage Association circuit, qualifying for Nationals and placing ninth in the country.
Her love of dressage continued to grow through her partnership with her Off-the-Track Thoroughbred, Horseradish. Together, they progressed from Training Level through Third Level and earned all the scores required for her USDF Bronze Medal. Monica remains actively involved in competition and is currently pursuing her Bronze Medal with Distinction.
In addition to her equestrian career, Monica is a high school teacher with several years of experience working with students in grades 7–12. Her background in education has strengthened her ability to communicate clearly, adapt instruction to individual learning styles, and create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable learning, asking questions, and challenging themselves.
As an instructor, Monica believes that growth happens just outside of your comfort zone. She encourages riders to set meaningful goals, embrace challenges, and celebrate progress along the way. Viewing both horse and rider as athletes, she emphasizes strong partnerships, effective communication, and a lifelong commitment to learning. Her lessons focus on building confidence, developing skills, and helping riders reach their individual goals—whether they are riding for fun, personal growth, or competition.
