Our Story

As a little girl I found a love for horses the first time I got to meet my mom’s friend Meagan’s horses. I absolutely adored them and spent hours cleaning stalls, grooming, and just being with them. 

When I was 15/16 I got an amazing opportunity to become a working student. I spent most of my days at the barn as I was doing Running Start. Most days I got home at 9pm at the earliest. I got to learn all the basics and quickly fell deeply in love with dressage. I went to my first show and learned how to groom for others.

At 17 I moved to another barn to lease an amazing mare named Max from my good friend Sierra. I got to work with trainers Linda Grandia and Laura Rising . Max is very special and dear to me. She taught me so many things, especially and how to have fun as she introduced me to 3rd/4th level dressage. I became a working student/groom at this barn, helping our trainers with whatever they needed while trying to absorb everything I could. I would have stayed all day if I didn’t have class! 

In 2018 I got an amazing opportunity to ride in Japan while visiting family friends. This was my opening to my senior project for high school. It was so cool to see how they trained and took care of their horses. Horses in Japan like treats just as much as they do here!

To finish out my senior project, I emailed and messaged about 100 different Olympic level riders around the world to ask for an internship/ working student position to learn more about the FEI training. I only got one answer: Elanor Simberg in Båstad Sweden, a national champion who was working towards going to the Olympics. She also trains young horses to be ready to find their forever home for the upper levels. I’m beyond lucky to have spent 6 weeks riding and working with amazing horses, learning about sponsors, and going to clinics by riders who are competing in the Olympics. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity! 

Upon coming back, it was time to present my senior project and finish my last year of my Associate’s degrees. I got to spend all day riding and loving life completely. 

Sadly, in February 2020 we lost Max to cushings and founder. This was beyond hard for both her owner and myself as she meant the world to both of us. Then March 2020 hit with the Pandemic; as we all know, two weeks turned into so much more. I decided to take a break from riding and nanny for an amazing family before I moved away in August to go to college at WSU. Prior to my move out to Pullman I asked Linda and Laura if I could ride again just a few times before I left to go work as a working student and groom for Katie Bystrom. These rides confirmed I wanted to be riding and working with horses. 

Upon moving to Katie’s we clicked instantly and had an amazing groove! We traveled and went to shows as soon as we could. She introduced me to jumping and eventing, skyrocketing my confidence and believing in me so much I started to teach lessons for her program. This quickly grew to me becoming the assistant trainer, head youth instructor, and barn manager. It was at times overwhelming and a crazy experience to be able to have from 19-21. I will forever be grateful for this experience and the people Katie has introduced me to. We still work together to this day. 

As I was getting ready to graduate from WSU, I started to feel that I still wanted to fulfill my dream of becoming a teacher. I got a job as a lead at a Montessori school and completed my first year of teaching and sadly had to move on to another school. I love teaching but have found I want to come back to horses. 

So in May 2024 I created De Feys Equi Health and Wellness, named after my first horse, Chloe de Feys. I’m beyond excited to bring you products and curriculum focused on cultivating a bond between equine and equestrian. I’m passionate about creating the best equestrian and equine partnership.

For the next year, I will be focusing on growing myself through health and wellness with Kyle from 100 year Warrior while working on my bond and showing with Chloe; starting Buttons; and growing and sharing De Feys with you all through our products and lessons! 

I can never ever express how thankful I am. In  no particular order of Sheila Buchanan, Linda Grandia, Laura Rising, Nicki Grandia, Sierra and Abby, the hilltop family, Elinore Simberg, Katie Bystrom, 100 year warrior, the warriors, Aubrie, the Capstone crew,  and Chris and Belle Lamb-Lewis.