Beth Nielsen

Beth is a USEF “R” Judge licensed in Hunters, Jumpers, Hunt Seat Equitation and Hunter Breeding, with extensive judging experience since 1978. She was lucky enough to ride with Bert deNemethy, Mike and Liz McGuinn, Anne Kursinski, Buddy Brown, among others. Beth has learned in the field from many top-ranking professionals, including Tom Wright, Missy Clark, Margie Goldstein and Geoff Teall.

USEF "R" judge for 45 years, Beth maintains licenses in Hunters, Jumpers, Hunt Seat Equitation and Hunter Breeding, with extensive experience.   She has judged many "A" rated shows annually, all over the country, as well as local/unrated shows, and NCAA, IHSA and IEA competitions.  She continues to judge many of this country's greatest shows including Upperville, VA, Traders Point, National Sport Horse Finals and NCAA Finals. 

Beth has been owner, manager, trainer and professional rider for North Coast Farms for 25 years in Chagrin Falls and Grafton, OH. This included full-time management of 115 acres, 2 facilities, and a small-scale hunter breeding operation with TB stallion, Fox Point.

She has been the primary trainer for Lauren Bass, Medal and Maclay Finals winner many times. She helps coach many Children's, Juniors, Amateurs and Equitation Riders to win at the highest levels.  There are countless AHSA/USEF HOTY Champions to her credit, from Breeding Classes to Amateur, Junior and Green Hunters.

Beth has trained and rode many National, Zone and Ohio PHA Champions, and qualifying them for indoor competitions and shows. She conducted Regular and Green Conformation with Skateaway, Touch the Clouds, A Bit of Elegance, and Samba Mood. - all of whom were trained by Beth from their beginnings. 

She holds a B.S. in Equestrian Studies from Lake Erie College in Ohio.  Beth then returned to LEC as a full-time faculty professor in Equestrian Studies, as well as coaching their IHSA team.  She owned and managed a successful Thoroughbred breeding business on her property for 8 years.  Beth focused her equine business on breeding for the Hunter/Jumper show ring, not the track.  After that, she worked as the Head Trainer at a private facility in Northern CA.  Beth's a life-long student and teacher of Riding and the Horse and she's available for consultations, training, judging, and a variety of clinics.

Beth is the very happy wife of Terry, and the proud mother of two adults, Liza and Will.