Hela RussellJillian has been working with horses her entire life. In her early years and through college, she worked in various disciplines, both training and showing horses in the United States and Germany. After graduating with her undergraduate degree, she cotinued her education and attained her graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in Life Sciences. Here she studied equine movement, posture, and muscle development. Jillian's research was guided in part by Dr. Hillary Clayton, Dr. Nancy Nicholson, and Dr. Sara Wyche. Jillian's conviction is helping riders learn how the horse's mind and all physical systems of the bodywork in concert to promote healthy riding and training habits, the benefit of which is freedom of movement. Jillian's deep concern for the health of horses fuels her ongoing study of classical riding and its relationship to sound biomechanics and mental well-being. She continues her riding and in hand education with Manolo Mendez and appeared in his in-hand DVD. She continues to regularly study with Peggy Cummings, creator of Connected Riding, and with Stephanie Millham, long-term student of Master Nuno Oliveira and author of the book The Legacy of Master Nuno Oliveira. Prior to Mark Russell's death in 2016, Jillian studied extensively with him. "I began my studies with Mark in 2012. The importance of his teachings in my life as a student and educator are beyond words. He opened many doors for me as I learned about his use of energy to help softly shape horses in hand and under saddle. His instruction will be a guiding light for me every time I put my hands on a horse. It was an honor and privilege to learn from this man and it is my goal to continue forth with his teachings." Jillian developed and teaches a lecture series entitled "Understanding Equine Movement to Realize Your Horse's Potential," and she continues as a Connected Riding(c) Instructor. She teaches her courses and conducts riding clinics around the globe. Read More Read Less