Desert Rose Ranch       

Michele Blair

I grew up in upstate New York, attaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Financial Management/Computer Science at Skidmore College, utilizing my degree at Chase Manhattan Bank in NYC at a Financial Analyst. 

I started riding at age 3 in leadline, with many wins...and my career was off and running. John Blair was my trainer from small ponies to junior jumpers and more. We achieved countless championships throughout the year, as well as Year End Circuit Awards.

Since 1989 in South Florida, I was Trainer of the Year 3 times, along with my students, adding many many more Year End Awards. I traveled across the United States competing in all aspects of horse shows, from Pre-green Hunters to Grand Prixs, qualifying and showing at all major indoor horse shows, as well as the Devon Horse Show.

My Farm was based in Wellington, Florida, with the Winter Equestrian Festival being our winter circuit home. I gained my experience in hunters, jumpers and equitation teaching children and adults.

My Arabian career with Desert Rose has added countless top tens, champions and reserves at the Regional and National level. I proudly competed the Desert Rose String of Arabians at "WEF" as well as the Top Arabian & Sport Horse Championship Shows.

In 2010, with the Desert Rose students under my guidance, I was awarded the Sunlight Series Year End High Point Trainer, along with the Year End Champion on Romeo's Bourbon Street in the Pre-green Hunters.

I'm looking forward to adding a wall of awards from the Desert Rose Team this year and many years in the future!

Peg Rayside

 I have been teaching in the Jupiter area for the past 5 years. I joined the Desert Rose Team in 2010 and am proud to be associated with the finest riding academy in the area.

I specialize in foundation training and am a master with the beginner-intermediate rider. To me, safety is always the number one priority. It's important for the rider to learn how to take charge right from the beginning. Much consideration takes place before the lesson begins. I make sure the student is assigned a proper mount, then plan out what to focus on that particular day.

I understand that for most students, their riding lesson is the highlight of their week. I encourage them to work hard, and have fun at the same time. Producing a student who rides with grace and confidence is most rewarding to me.

I am also the founder and director of Desert Rose's Horsemanship 101 Program. This adult program is a fantastic workshop where one learns to ride, groom, tack, and care for a horse. We meet Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m.

I believe riding is a wonderful sport for people of all ages. Both horse and rider build strong bodies, develop friendships, instill respect, discipline and courage.

When I'm not teaching, I keep busy riding and caring for my own two Thoroughbreds, Matteo and Dante. I continue my own education by taking lessons and attend clinics. There is a wealth of knowledge out there and I never want to stop learning about horses!

Catherine Anne Cassidy

As a native of Palm Beach County, I started riding at the young age of four, and have competed in the hunter and equitation rings for the majority of my riding career.

As a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida, I was the Coordinator for the Pegasus Mascot Program, as well as the Lead Knight for four years. This opportunity allowed me to study under the Olympic level Dressage trainers with the tour company, "The World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions", who provided the stallion used as UCF's mascot for two years. These instructors consisted of long-time dressage rider and stunt rider David Jay, Lori Beggs, and dressage exhibitor Matt McLaughlin. As a result of my involvement with the Pegasus Mascot Program, I've ridden in front of 45,000 fans at numerous games, worked horses in photography and in film, as well as having been a stunt rider for other projects.

While performing my duties as the mascot, I also rode for the university's intercollegiate huntseat team from 2007 to 2011. While on the team, UCF was ranked as the top Florida school, as well as ranked third in the region against varsity teams such as the College of Charleston and Savannah College of Art and Design. Riding under the tutelage of Lesli Isaacson, one of the best hunter and equitation coaches in Florida (recently taking four riders to the Marshall & Sterling finals in Saugerties, NY), I developed her skills as an equitation rider. 

I now teach the fine refinement of English equitation riding to the students of all ages at Desert Rose Ranch in Jupiter, Florida. Primarily an equitation trainer, I also teach hunters, jumpers, dressage, and Western Pleasure. I also provide videography for students of the Ranch, ranging from videos of lessons to intercollegiate tryout videos.

Desert Rose Ranch Equestrian Center prides itself not only on superior horses, but also our outstanding trainers and instructors. Here's who you can expect to meet when you come to Desert Rose Ranch!