COMING SOON

Raised in Louisiana, Daniel had a passion for horses from an early age. Not being born into a family with horses, he rode with a childhood friend’s family regularly before he finally earned and saved enough money to buy his own horse at the age of 16 without his parents knowing about it. Attending La Tech University, Daniel graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science in ’99. Daniel spent about 6 years, in total, apprenticing under 3 different Cutting Horse trainers and to date has started horses amassing winnings of well over $1 million in cutting including finalists in major aged events, and the only horse from Louisiana to ever make the NCHA World Championship Futurity Finals. Daniel passionately uses his knowledge and experience to help others become safer, smarter, and more comfortable and confident in their own horsemanship. He has worked with riders as young as 2 to those up into their 70’s. He’s also worked with many different breeds and riders of all disciplines, from beginners to college equine behavior and training classes, to world champs, and even continuing education for pros at large lesson barns. Daniel spent 3 years making a 5-and-a-half-hour video on bits and bitting. It has been very well reviewed and received and is even being used as a teaching tool in over 25 Equine Sciences/Studies programs in various US universities.

Joshua Rushing is the Lead Trainer and clinician at Ranch Horse University, a curriculum‑based program dedicated to developing confident, capable, and dependable horses through practical, progressive horsemanship. Drawing on years of professional training, teaching, and competition—including five Extreme Cowboy Race World Championships and two American Ranch Horse Association World titles—Joshua blends proven performance experience with a clear, communication‑focused approach to colt starting, ranch work, and versatile performance development. At RHU, he helps horses and riders build a strong foundation of responsiveness, softness, confidence, and responsibility, preparing horses for real‑world situations both in and out of the arena. Through clinics and education, Joshua teaches riders the what, when, why, and how behind effective horsemanship, giving them practical tools and deeper understanding they can take home to strengthen their partnerships and continue progressing long after the clinic ends.

Laurie Hedlund is a positive, encouraging, and highly accomplished teacher and clinician with 38 years of professional experience in the equine industry. An FEI trainer, competitor, and USDF Medalist, she is also a USDF 4th Level Certified Instructor/Trainer, a USDF “L” Graduate with Distinction, a Dressage Foundation graduate, and a graduate of equine massage therapy school. Laurie spent more than 30 years studying under Dressage Master Alf Athenstaedt, a distinguished student of Willi Schultheis and Hans Irbinger of the Spanish Riding School. She is deeply committed to the classical principles of dressage, developing balanced horses that work in harmony through clear, systematic, and empathetic training focused on lightness, confidence, and communication. Laurie is also highly accomplished in Western Dressage as a WDAA Grand Champion, multiple‑time World Title holder, and WDAA Train the Trainers graduate. She brings her classical foundation to Western Dressage, helping riders build true horsemanship rooted in trust, softness, and balance through a progressive, horse‑centered approach.

Phil Haugen is a nationally respected horseman with over 40 years of training experience and thousands of horses developed through his program, earning more than $1 million in Equistat performance earnings across multiple disciplines. Raised in western North Dakota, he built his approach on trust, respect, and clear communication—principles shaped by decades of competition in calf roping, team roping, and saddle bronc riding, where he qualified for both the Badlands and Prairie Circuit Finals, earned the 1989 Linderman Award, and later became a PRCA Gold Card member. Inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2021 and a multi‑time nominee for Western Horseman’s Best of Trainers & Clinicians, Phil continues to influence the industry through his “Training Through Understanding” philosophy, helping horses think and respond with confidence while teaching riders to become better leaders. He competed at the 2025 Road to the Horse World Championship of Colt Starting, maintains a full training and clinic schedule from his home in Weatherford, Oklahoma, and connects with horsemen worldwide through his popular Be Your Best Horsemanship podcast and mentorship programs.

Riley Olson grew up on the wide-open plains of southern Wyoming, learning hard work, ethics, and horsemanship through his family’s construction business and his grandfather’s ranch. After earning an associate degree in Horse Management, Riley lived out his dream, spending six years breaking colts and riding for ranches across Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Feeling called to shift his focus toward helping people, Riley then pursued Bible college, where he discovered a passion for teaching horsemanship and met his wife, Kyla. Riley founded Ride Prosperously Ministries to use the God given influence of the horse to help people find true prosperity and contentment, with a special heart for guiding young men toward productive leadership and personal growth. The Olsons started Ride Prosperously Ministries as a means of using horses to help people prosper. Alongside his ranching background, he has worked in multiple trades—including construction, welding, saddle making, and farriery—and has spent more than a decade serving in youth ministry. Riley and Kyla now reside in Missouri, committed to helping people through the influence of the horse for years to come.