Ashley Adams

Five-star event rider Ashley Adams might not have come from a horse-oriented family, but she grew up riding with and working alongside some of the industry's best. Ashley began her riding career at the age of six with Greenville Foothills Pony Club in South Carolina. As a teenager, she rode with and worked for 5* winner and Olympic medalist Kim Severson, who, in 2002, helped her source a young Off The Track Thoroughbred named Vaunted. The pair quickly progressed up the levels together, competing through 3* level and Young Riders competitions in 2005, and later that year Ashley began training with fellow Ride iQ coach Holly Hudspeth. Under Holly’s tutelage, Ashley and Vaunted were members of the silver medal-winning team at NAYRC, completed their first Advanced, and moved up to 4* level.

In 2008, Ashley began working as Assistant Trainer to Bonny Mosser, and in 2009, Ashley and Vaunted completed the 5* Kentucky 3 Day Event with a coveted clear cross country round (and also were named Best Dressed – we love a coach with style!). While Ashley was busy moving up the levels and solidifying her place at the top level of the sport, she was also getting a well-rounded education by exercising racehorses and starting young horses under saddle.

After her time working for Bonny Mosser, Ashley accepted a position riding for Will Coleman. She was then hired as the Head Rider for Geoff and Joanie Nichols, tasked with training, competing, and selling their Irish imports. While working for Geoff and Joanie near Ocala, Florida one winter, Ashley met her future husband Rod, who was stationed in Jacksonville with the Australian Navy. A couple of years after meeting Rod, Ashley moved to Australia for 4 years, riding and competing there alongside some of the biggest names in the sport. While in Australia, Ashley also taught lessons for Berry Riding Club, which was owned by Shane Rose’s mother Penny Rose. It was during her time in Australia that Ashley was able to develop her own style of teaching as well as hone her skills as a catch rider.

After her stint as an Aussie, Ashley moved back to the US with her husband Rod and started her own business, Ashley Adams Eventing, based near Richmond, VA. With her diverse knowledge and extensive skill set, Ashley’s program is focused on creating a safe, complete, and correct education for both horse and rider. She takes particular pride in her comprehensive management and training program, and in being able to adjust to the needs of each individual horse and rider. Ashley is detail-oriented, thorough, and meticulous!

In creating her Ride iQ lessons, Ashley enjoys providing a wide spectrum of exercises on topics she feels are common struggles for many riders.