Arguably one of Central Ohio’s most experienced rider/trainers, Pamela Graham has over thirty years of varied equestrian experience. She has been riding since she was ten years old—from 4-H, to Fox Hunting, to showing hunters on all levels, to Grand Prix Show Jumping; Pam has seen and done it all. 

Many of Pam's students have gone on to compete professionally, and others, like Sarah Ash, have returned to teach with her. Sarah began her association with Pam at the age of fifteen as a junior rider.  Pam and Sarah have been teaching together now for about eight years--with Sarah taking care of the clients at home while Pam is away at a horse show or coaching together at some of the local shows.

Pam spends about ten months out of the year training her horses and students for a show season that consists of about 14-16 horse shows, most at the ‘A’ level. She is an intense competitor but never loses sight of the fact that her clients are showing horses for the enjoyment aspect. "If they're not progressing, winning AND having fun, they won't want to continue", Pam says of her clients.

Pam utilizes the remaining months working on her own teaching and riding skills, such as during the Winter Equestrian Festival in West Palm Beach, Florida, with her friends and mentors George Morris and Anne Kursinski. Pam says, "I have always been a big advocate of their system of riding education, although I like to be somewhat more flexible." She takes with her a few students aspiring to the higher levels to show at the Festival as well. 

Pam travels to shows and clinics in order to keep "up to date" on the latest riding and teaching techniques. "I believe that if I'm not always learning and improving, I'm not giving my students the best available information." Instructors who never leave the state, let alone their own town, become stagnant, out of touch and less enthusiastic.

Pam advises parents to do plenty of homework before committing their child to a riding program. “A barn that locks you into some kind of contract, or tells you that you should buy a horse right away, you don’t want to join”, she says. “Be careful of someone putting pressure on you. The better ones don’t have to do that.”

For the most part, Pam and Sarah train more serious, committed riders who aspire to compete at a higher level, but they insist on keeping it fun. Pam and her staff are happy to work with riders of any level and help them with their varied goals. Whether it is participating in the higher levels of showing or to become more relaxed and competent with your pleasure riding, Pam has the skill and creative ideas to help you and your horse.